New Boston Qualifying Standards

The qualifying times for the 2012 Boston Marathon won't change from recent years, but the new registration process will accommodate those who are the fastest qualifiers first.

Registration will occur on a “rolling admission” schedule, beginning with the fastest qualifiers. On the first day of registration for the 2012 Boston Marathon, those who are eligible for entry by having met the qualifying standards for their age and gender group by 20 minutes or more will be able to enter on the first day of registration (September 12). On the third day (September 14), registration will open for those who have met their qualifying standards by 10 minutes or more. On the fifth day (September 16), registration will open for those who have met their qualifying standards by five minutes or more. During this first week of registration, applicants will be notified as they are accepted and their qualifying performance verified.

Once the registration window is closed, the fastest runners in relation to the qualifying standard to their age/gender will be entered into the race once their times are verified.

So, people who try to qualify during races after 9/16 may be out of luck, if the field is already filled by faster racers. But, this actually seems fair to me, unless a large part of the field is filled with charity runners who only need money to enter and not a qualifying time.

If the field is not filled at the conclusion of the two weeks, then registration will remain open and qualifiers will be accepted on a first come, first served basis until the maximum field size is reached.
The 59 second bonus is in effect for 2012. So a 55-59 year old male could run a 3:45:59 and qualify.

2013 Boston Marathon
For the 2013 Boston Marathon, in addition to the new “rolling admission” process for registration which will be in effect for the 2012 Boston Marathon, the B.A.A. will adjust the qualifying times by lowering them by five minutes from the times which have been in effect in recent past years. The adjusted qualifying times will go into effect on September 24, 2011, and are:

*Unlike previous years, an additional 59 seconds will NOT be accepted for each age group time standard.
2013 Qualifying Times (effective September 24, 2011)

AGE Men Women
18-34 3hrs 05min, 3hrs 35min
35-39 3hrs 10min, 3hrs 40min
40-44 3hrs 15min, 3hrs 45min
45-49 3hrs 25min, 3hrs 55min
50-54 3hrs 30min, 4hrs 00min
55-59 3hrs 40min, 4hrs 10min
60-64 3hrs 55min, 4hrs 25min
65-69 4hrs 10min, 4hrs 40min
70-74 4hrs 25min, 4hrs 55min
75-79 4hrs 40min, 5hrs 10min
80+ 4hrs 55min, 5hrs 25min


Registration for the 2013 Boston Marathon will begin on Monday, September 10, 2012.