Boston
Within just four days after opening registration, the Boston Marathon has received a total of 33,656 qualifier entry applications for the April 19, 2027 race.
The Boston Athletic Association (BAA) announced that the total of 33,656 qualifier entry applications were received during registration week for the 131st edition of the race which is presented by the Bank of America.
“Between September 14-18, athletes from 129 countries and all 50 U.S. states applied to participate in the April 19, 2027, event,” the BAA said in a statement on Monday.
“All around the world, athletes have circled Patriots’ Day and the 131st Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America on their running calendars, hoping to participate in the world’s oldest annual marathon,” said Jack Fleming, President and CEO of the B.A.A. “We’re excited to welcome future Boston Marathoners into the race soon.”
“Due to field size limitations, not all qualifiers will be accepted into the 131st Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America,” the statement added.
Over the coming weeks, the Boston Athletic Association will verify all qualifier submissions, and subsequently athletes will be notified of acceptance or non-acceptance via e-mail by early October. The 33,656 qualifier entry applications received is an increase compared to the 33,267 qualifier applicants for the April 2026 event.
The BAA will not predict the "cut-off" time needed to gain acceptance into the 131st Boston Marathon and asks for athletes’ cooperation and patience during this verification process. New for 2027, a Boston Qualifier Selection will give athletes who don’t meet the “cut-off” time needed a chance to participate.
Athletes are asked not to contact the B.A.A. to check on the status of their entry unless requested to do so by a member of our Athlete Services team. When available, information will be posted to www.baa.org and across the Boston Marathon’s social media channels.
Since 1970, the Boston Marathon has featured qualifying standards as a means of entry. A historical breakdown of qualifying times can be found here.
The qualifying window for the 132nd Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America, to be held April 17, 2028, opened on September 19, 2026, and will run through the end of registration week in September 2027.
Exact registration dates and entry procedures for the 2028 Boston Marathon will be announced following the 2027 Boston Marathon.
Fastest Qualifiers to Determine 'Cut-off' Time
The statement added that the fastest qualifiers by age group will be accepted and will determine the “cut-off” time. The number of athletes accepted will be consistent with recent years.
“New for 2027, the B.A.A. will incorporate a Boston Qualifier Selection, an additional random selection component specifically for applicants whose qualifying time was not faster than the cut-off.
“ Approximately 1,000 qualifiers will be randomly selected for entry, rewarding athletes who’ve achieved a Boston qualifier,” the press communication added.
“The Boston Marathon annually welcomes the highest performing athletes, and we are internationally known for our qualifying standards,” said Fleming. “With the increasingly fast times in our sport, our random Boston Qualifier Selection gives all those who have met the standard for their age group a chance to run Boston.”
Athletes whose qualifying times were not faster than the cut-off for their age group and gender will automatically be eligible for the Boston Qualifier Selection.
The chance of being selected is dependent on how many Boston Marathon qualifier applications are received during September’s registration period.
Due to field size limitations, it is anticipated that not all applicants will be accepted. (BAA)
