Runners who have the 2026 Boston Marathon on their bucket list must now hit faster times. The Boston Athletic Association (BAA) has tightened qualifying standards for the 2026 marathon, requiring most applicants to finish the 26.2-mile race five minutes quicker than previous years. Jack Fleming, CEO of the BAA, noted the adjustment reflects the depth and speed of current participants, stating, "We've seen athletes continue to raise the bar and elevate to new levels."
For men aged 18 to 34, the required time is now 2 hours, 55 minutes or faster. Women and nonbinary runners must complete the marathon in 3:25. The 80 and over category remains unchanged, with men needing to finish in 4:50 and women and nonbinary athletes in 5:20. The new qualifying period commenced on Sept. 1 and ends with the 2026 race registration next September. This change comes as the BAA received a record 36,406 applications for the upcoming 2025 race, which is scheduled for April 21. Fleming noted, "The record number of applicants indicates the growing trend of our sport and shows that athletes are continuously getting faster and faster." (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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