Qualifiers for the Boston Marathon must meet the designated time standard that corresponds with their age group and gender. All race applicants must adhere to the guidelines set forth by the B.A.A., USA Track and Field or foreign equivalent, International Paralympic Committee, Wheelchair Sports, USA, Disabled Sports, USA, and the United States Association for Blind Athletes. Qualifying times are met in competitions observing these same rules. Proof of qualification must accompany each athlete`s application, and participants are required to be 18 years or older on race day.

For the 2012 Boston Marathon, qualifying times must be run on or after September 25, 2010. The acceptance of official race entrants will be based on qualifying times, with the fastest qualifiers (in relation to the qualifying time for their age and gender) being accepted first until the race is full. For more information on our revised registration process, visit our registration page. All qualifying times are subject to review and verification.

The qualifying times below are based upon each athlete`s age on the date of the Boston Marathon in which they are participating.

Important Note: the 59 seconds allowed for qualifying times aren`t applicable for those registering before Monday, September 19.
Those registering as BQ-20, BQ-10, or BQ-5 must be at least 20, 10, or 5 minutes below 3:50:00, not 3:50:59.

2012 Qualifying Times (effective September 25, 2010)

For the 2013 Boston Marathon, qualifying times are more stringent, and must be run on or after September 24, 2011*. Like the 2012 registration process, the acceptance of official race entrants will be based on qualifying time, with the fastest qualifiers (in relation to their age and gender) being accepted first until the race is full. All qualifying times are subject to review and verification.

2013 Qualifying Times (effective September 24, 2011)

Entrants in the Push Rim Wheelchair Division, Mobility Impaired Division, and Visually Impaired Division are all subject to qualifying standards for their age and gender. These standards are unchanged from recent years.

Push Rim Wheelchair Division Qualifying Times

Blind/Visually Impaired Division

The qualifying time is 5:00 hours for visually impaired athletes (men and women) classified T11, T12, and T13.

Mobility Impaired Program

Mobility Impaired participants can apply on the first day of Boston Marathon registration, if qualified. Individuals with permanent disabilities that affect ambulation and who would not otherwise qualify for entry in other divisions are being granted the following extended qualifying times:

* The qualifying time is 6:00 hours for individuals who, because of the nature of their disability, have difficulty ambulating.

* The qualifying time is 8:00 hours for individuals who, because of the nature of their disability, need mobility aids such as prosthetics, leg braces or crutches to ambulate.
All other individuals with disabilities followed entry procedures and qualifying standards of either the B.A.A. or the established qualifying standard from the recognized disabled sports organization.

For more information about the B.A.A.’s history of inclusion please go to our
Athletes with Disabilities page.