If you're someone who’s been working toward qualifying for the Boston Marathon, or you’re just curious about how the qualifying standards are evolving, there's some important news to know. Starting in 2026, the Boston Marathon qualifying times are going to get a bit tougher for most age groups, but here’s the good news: older athletes—especially those aged 60 and above—won’t feel that added pressure. In fact, the changes might actually benefit them. Let’s take a deeper look at what’s happening.
The Key Change for 2026
For 2026, the Boston Marathon is implementing a 5-minute increase to qualifying standards for nearly all age groups, except for athletes 60 and older. This means that if you’re aiming to qualify in 2026, you’ll need to run faster than you would in 2024 or 2025—if you’re under 60, that is.
Here’s how it breaks down for some of the key age groups:
- 18-34 years: Men will need 3:00:00 and women 3:30:00.
- 35-39 years: Men 3:00:00, women 3:30:00.
- 40-44 years: Men 3:05:00, women 3:35:00.
- 45-49 years: Men 3:15:00, women 3:45:00.
- 50-54 years: Men 3:20:00, women 3:50:00.
- 55-59 years: Men 3:30:00, women 4:00:00.
- 60+ years: Men 3:50:00, women 4:20:00.
For athletes 60 and older, however, there are no changes to the qualifying times from 2024 and 2025. That means if you’re in this age group, your qualifying time stays the same.
How This Benefits Older Athletes
The main benefit for older athletes is that they won’t have to face the additional 5-minute increase in qualifying times that younger age groups will. Age is something that naturally impacts performance, and these changes acknowledge that. When the qualifying times stay the same for runners over 60, it allows for a fairer experience.
Let's say you're in your early 60s and you're aiming to qualify for Boston. While younger athletes will now have to run even faster, your qualifying time of 3:50:00 for men or 4:20:00 for women remains unchanged. This offers a more level playing field for you, without the added pressure of having to adjust to more stringent standards.
Why Does This Matter?
Boston Marathon qualifying times are often seen as a big milestone in a runner's career, but they can also be intimidating. For younger athletes, the pressure to meet those tougher standards can be overwhelming. Older athletes, on the other hand, can still push toward their Boston dream without those increasing standards adding more stress as they get older.
This also means that older runners who are maintaining or improving their fitness have a better chance of qualifying for Boston than they would if the standards were made more difficult. It also emphasizes the importance of smart, consistent training, injury prevention, and recovery—which are all areas I focus on with my coaching.
Ready to Work Toward Your Boston Dream?
Whether you’re in your 30s, 40s, 50s, or 60s, training for the Boston Marathon can feel like a monumental challenge, but with the right approach, it's absolutely achievable. If you’re looking to improve your running and work toward your Boston Marathon goals, I can help you design a training plan that’s personalized to your needs, abilities, and lifestyle.
With my experience as a certified running coach, I can guide you through a strategic training plan that balances the intensity of marathon training with the recovery you need to stay injury-free and race ready. Let’s work together to unlock your full potential and take the steps necessary to cross that finish line in Boston.
Interested? Reach out to start a conversation, and let’s take the next steps in your marathon journey.
By being aware of how qualifying standards change and how they affect your specific age group, you can be better prepared for what’s ahead. Keep in mind that qualifying for Boston isn't just about speed—it's about consistency, strategy, and mindset. Together, we can focus on all of these elements to get you where you want to go.