Boston Qualifying Marathons 2026–2027: BQ Race Finder

ByKelly
Boston qualifying marathons

Find an upcoming BQ race for Boston 2027 or 2028

Search upcoming Boston qualifying marathons in the USA and Canada from August 2026 into 2027. Filter by date, country, course profile, Boston target year and the B.A.A. downhill rules.

Looking for a 2027 race? Choose 2027 under Calendar year in the finder. If a race does not appear, its 2027 date may not have been announced yet.
Group of runners training together for a marathon
80upcoming races listed from August 23, 2026 onward
9remaining listed races eligible for Boston 2027
26calendar-year 2027 editions with published dates
17Canadian races currently in the upcoming shortlist
Targeting Boston 2027? The qualifying window runs through September 18, 2026, and registration is September 14 to 18, 2026. Meeting your age and gender standard allows you to apply, but it does not guarantee entry. The B.A.A. is also adding about 1,000 Boston Qualifier Selection spots for qualified applicants who miss the final cutoff.
Boston 2027 Qualifying window: September 13, 2025 through September 18, 2026. Registration: September 14 to 18, 2026.
Boston 2028 The qualifying window opens September 19, 2026 and runs through registration week in September 2027. The exact closing date has not yet been announced.
Updated: August 17, 2026 Race dates and BQ notes checked against official race pages when available. Registration status is a snapshot and can change. Sold out does not always mean no entry: some races use official transfers, waitlists or charity bibs.
Race sold out? Check the official entry routes before giving up. Some marathons allow person-to-person transfers through their registration platform, some open a waitlist, and some reserve entries for approved charity or travel partners. Other races ban transfers completely. Never buy a bib privately unless the race explicitly allows the transfer and changes the registration into your name. The finder flags verified alternate-entry routes when the race publishes them.

Boston Qualifier Marathon Finder

Every result is upcoming as of your visit. Use calendar year when you specifically want 2027 races, or Boston target when you want races that fall inside the 2027 or 2028 qualifying window.

Loading upcoming BQ races…

Boston 2027 and 2028 qualifying standards

The B.A.A. has announced the same qualifying standards for Boston 2028 as Boston 2027. Your qualifying time is based on your age on Boston Marathon race day, not your age when you run the qualifier.

AgeMenWomenNon-binary
18–342:55:003:25:003:25:00
35–393:00:003:30:003:30:00
40–443:05:003:35:003:35:00
45–493:15:003:45:003:45:00
50–543:20:003:50:003:50:00
55–593:30:004:00:004:00:00
60–643:50:004:20:004:20:00
65–694:05:004:35:004:35:00
70–744:20:004:50:004:50:00
75–794:35:005:05:005:05:00
80+4:50:005:20:005:20:00

These are application standards, not guaranteed entry times. When qualified applicants exceed available spots, the accepted field can require a faster time.

Good places to start your BQ search

The fastest course on paper is not automatically the best race for you. Travel, weather, field size and the kind of course you can train for matter too.

Last chances for Boston 2027Santa Rosa, Beantown, the two BQ.2 races, Big Cottonwood, Cascade Express, Erie, Georgina and Tunnel Light are the remaining listed races before the Boston 2027 qualifying window closes. If a race is full, use the Entry options filter to check for an official transfer or waitlist route.
Fast fall options for Boston 2028Start with Wineglass, Baystate, Toronto Waterfront, Hamilton, Indianapolis Monumental and CIM if you want a traditional fast fall race. Use the filters for more choices.
Published 2027 optionsHouston, St. Petersburg, Mesa, Napa Valley, Tobacco Road, Eugene, Glass City, Vancouver, Toronto, Cleveland, Fargo, Grandma’s, Missoula and San Francisco already have 2027 dates listed.
Canadian BQ optionsCanadian options include Georgina, Treherne, Kelowna, Québec City, Montréal, Victoria, PEI, Toronto Waterfront, Niagara, Hamilton and Boundary Bay, plus published 2027 dates.
Downhill coursesFor Boston 2027, the current +5 and +10 minute indexes apply at the B.A.A. downhill thresholds. For Boston 2028, the B.A.A. says those indexes are still subject to change.
First BQ attemptPrioritize a course you can practise for, simple travel, enough runners near your pace, reliable aid stations and a race date that fits your training block.

What actually counts as a Boston qualifying marathon?

The B.A.A. requires a certified full marathon course. Virtual marathons, indoor marathons and performances that do not meet B.A.A. qualifying requirements are not accepted.

Do not aim only for your posted standard. Qualifying lets you apply, but it does not guarantee entry. If Boston is the main goal, a cushion under your standard is safer than planning to finish exactly on it.

Downhill rule for Boston 2027: qualifying performances from courses with 1,500 to 2,999 feet of net downhill receive a +5:00 time index, courses with 3,000 to 5,999 feet receive +10:00, and courses with 6,000 feet or more of net downhill are not accepted. Courses below 1,500 feet are below that current indexing threshold.

Important for Boston 2028: the B.A.A. has said the downhill time indexes are subject to change before 2028 registration. That is why races in the Boston 2028 window are labelled by downhill band rather than promising a final +5 or +10 adjustment.

Check the official B.A.A. qualifying rules before registering for a race solely to chase a BQ.

Before you register for a BQ race

Confirm the race date. Marathon dates can change from year to year, especially when registration for the next edition has not opened yet.

Check BQ eligibility. Make sure the full marathon course and your race date meet the current B.A.A. qualifying rules for the Boston year you are targeting.

Check downhill rules. A fast downhill course can still be a Boston qualifier, but the B.A.A. may apply a time adjustment depending on the course’s net elevation drop.

Do not rule out a sold-out race immediately. Some races offer official transfers, waitlists, charity entries or other authorized ways to enter. Others prohibit transfers completely.

Use official entry channels. Before paying anyone for a bib, confirm that the race allows the transfer and that the registration will be changed into your name.

Upcoming Boston qualifying marathons: 2026 and 2027

Use the calendar below to scan upcoming races by date, Boston target, location, course profile and current entry status.

On smaller screens, each race is shown as a stacked card for easier reading.

DateRaceBoston targetCountryRegionCourseBQ profileEntry statusLink
Santa Rosa MarathonSanta Rosa, CABoston 2027USAWestRoadFlat or fastSold out · transfers allowedOfficial transfer infoRace site
Beantown MarathonHingham, MABoston 2027USANortheastLoop roadFlat or fastCheck race siteRace site
Last Chance BQ.2 Marathon (Geneva)Geneva, ILBoston 2027USAMidwestVery flat loopFlat or fastFull · no transfersOfficial no-transfer policyRace site
Big Cottonwood MarathonSalt Lake City, UTBoston 2027USAWestDownhill road+10:00 B.A.A. index for Boston 2027Check race siteRace site
Cascade Express MarathonNorth Bend, WABoston 2027USAWestGentle net-downhill roadUnder 1,500 ft current downhill thresholdCheck race siteRace site
Erie Marathon at Presque IsleErie, PABoston 2027USANortheastFlat roadFlat or fastCheck race siteRace site
Georgina MarathonGeorgina, ONBoston 2027CanadaOntarioFlat roadFlat or fastCheck race siteRace site
Last Chance BQ.2 Marathon (Grand Rapids)Grand Rapids, MIBoston 2027USAMidwestBQ-focused loopFlat or fastCheck race siteRace site
Tunnel Light MarathonNorth Bend, WABoston 2027USAWestGentle net-downhill mixed surfaceUnder 1,500 ft current downhill thresholdCheck race siteRace site
Air Force MarathonDayton, OHBoston 2028USAMidwestRoadRoad BQCheck race siteRace site
Top of Utah MarathonLogan, UTBoston 2028USAWestNet-downhill roadUnder 1,500 ft current downhill thresholdCheck race siteRace site
Fox Valley MarathonSt. Charles, ILBoston 2028USAMidwestFlat roadFlat or fastCheck race siteRace site
Treherne Run for the Hills MarathonTreherne, MBBoston 2028CanadaPrairiesRoadSmaller BQ raceCheck race siteRace site
Argus Apple MarathonKelowna, BCBoston 2028CanadaWest CoastFlat roadFlat or fastCheck race siteRace site
Clarence DeMar MarathonKeene, NHBoston 2028USANortheastRolling roadRolling roadCheck race siteRace site
Omaha MarathonOmaha, NEBoston 2028USAMidwestRoadRoad BQCheck race siteRace site
St. George MarathonSt. George, UTBoston 2028USAWestDownhill road1,500–2,999 ft net drop; Boston 2028 index TBDWaitlist openJoin official waitlistRace site
Guthrie Wineglass MarathonCorning, NYBoston 2028USANortheastGentle net-downhill roadUnder 1,500 ft current downhill thresholdCheck race siteRace site
Legs for Literacy MarathonMoncton, NBBoston 2028CanadaAtlantic CanadaFlat roadFlat or fastCheck race siteRace site
Maine MarathonPortland, MEBoston 2028USANortheastModerately hilly roadRolling roadCheck race siteRace site
Marathon Beneva de QuébecQuébec City, QCBoston 2028CanadaQuebecRoadRoad BQCheck race siteRace site
Marathon P'tit Train du NordSaint-Jérôme, QCBoston 2028CanadaQuebecNet-downhill roadUnder 1,500 ft current downhill thresholdCheck race siteRace site
Portland MarathonPortland, ORBoston 2028USAWestRolling roadRolling roadCheck race siteRace site
Twin Cities MarathonMinneapolis and St. Paul, MNBoston 2028USAMidwestRolling roadRolling roadSold out · transfers to Aug 31Official transfer infoRace site
Chicago MarathonChicago, ILBoston 2028USAMidwestFlat roadFlat or fastCheck race siteRace site
Long Beach MarathonLong Beach, CABoston 2028USAWestFlat roadFlat or fastSold out · check charity optionsCheck official charity optionsRace site
Marathon Beneva de MontréalMontréal, QCBoston 2028CanadaQuebecRoadRoad BQCheck race siteRace site
Newport MarathonNewport, RIBoston 2028USANortheastRoadRoad BQCheck race siteRace site
Royal Victoria MarathonVictoria, BCBoston 2028CanadaWest CoastRoadRoad BQCheck race siteRace site
Steamtown MarathonScranton, PABoston 2028USANortheastDownhill roadUnder 1,500 ft current downhill thresholdCheck race siteRace site
Baltimore MarathonBaltimore, MDBoston 2028USANortheastRolling roadRolling roadCheck race siteRace site
Baystate MarathonLowell, MABoston 2028USANortheastFlat roadFlat or fastSold out · waitlist openJoin official waitlistRace site
Columbus MarathonColumbus, OHBoston 2028USAMidwestFlat roadFlat or fastCheck race siteRace site
Detroit Free Press MarathonDetroit, MIBoston 2028USAMidwestFlat roadFlat or fastSold out · waitlist openCheck official waitlistRace site
Prince Edward Island MarathonCharlottetown, PEBoston 2028CanadaAtlantic CanadaRoadRoad BQCheck race siteRace site
TCS Toronto Waterfront MarathonToronto, ONBoston 2028CanadaOntarioFlat roadFlat or fastSold out · official transfers listedOfficial transfer processRace site
Marine Corps MarathonArlington and Washington, VABoston 2028USASouthRolling roadRolling roadSold out · no transfersOfficial no-transfer policyRace site
Niagara Falls International MarathonNiagara Falls, ONBoston 2028CanadaOntarioRoadRoad BQCheck race siteRace site
Boundary Bay MarathonDelta, BCBoston 2028CanadaWest CoastFlat gravel trailMixed-surface BQCheck race siteRace site
Hamilton Marathon Road2HopeHamilton, ONBoston 2028CanadaOntarioFlat roadFlat or fastCheck race siteRace site
New York City MarathonNew York, NYBoston 2028USANortheastRolling roadRolling roadCheck race siteRace site
Indianapolis Monumental MarathonIndianapolis, INBoston 2028USAMidwestFlat roadFlat or fastCheck race siteRace site
REVEL Big Bear MarathonBig Bear, CABoston 2028USAWestSteep downhill road3,000–5,999 ft net drop; Boston 2028 index TBDCheck race siteRace site
Charlotte MarathonCharlotte, NCBoston 2028USASouthRolling roadRolling roadCheck race siteRace site
Richmond MarathonRichmond, VABoston 2028USASouthRolling roadRolling roadCheck race siteRace site
Philadelphia MarathonPhiladelphia, PABoston 2028USANortheastFlat roadFlat or fastSold out · charity entries may remainCheck official charity entryRace site
Route 66 MarathonTulsa, OKBoston 2028USASouthRolling roadRolling roadCheck race siteRace site
Space Coast MarathonCocoa, FLBoston 2028USASouthFlat roadFlat or fastCheck race siteRace site
Seattle MarathonSeattle, WABoston 2028USAWestHilly roadRoad BQCheck race siteRace site
California International MarathonSacramento, CABoston 2028USAWestGentle net-downhill roadUnder 1,500 ft current downhill thresholdCheck race siteRace site
Dallas MarathonDallas, TXBoston 2028USASouthRoadRoad BQCheck race siteRace site
Honolulu MarathonHonolulu, HIBoston 2028USAWestRolling roadRolling roadCheck race siteRace site
Rocket City MarathonHuntsville, ALBoston 2028USASouthRolling roadRolling roadCheck race siteRace site
Tucson MarathonTucson, AZBoston 2028USAWestNet-downhill roadUnder 1,500 ft current downhill thresholdCheck race siteRace site
Walt Disney World MarathonOrlando, FLBoston 2028USASouthFlat roadRoad BQSold out · check authorized partnersAuthorized providersRace site
Houston MarathonHouston, TXBoston 2028USASouthFlat roadFlat or fastCheck race siteRace site
Miami MarathonMiami, FLBoston 2028USASouthFlat roadFlat or fastCheck race siteRace site
St. Petersburg Distance Classic MarathonSt. Petersburg, FLBoston 2028USASouthFlat roadFlat or fastCheck race siteRace site
Mesa MarathonMesa, AZBoston 2028USAWestDownhill roadUnder 1,500 ft current downhill thresholdCheck race siteRace site
Austin MarathonAustin, TXBoston 2028USASouthRolling roadRolling roadCheck race siteRace site
Los Angeles MarathonLos Angeles, CABoston 2028USAWestRolling roadRolling roadCheck race siteRace site
Napa Valley MarathonNapa, CABoston 2028USAWestRolling roadRolling roadCheck race siteRace site
Tobacco Road MarathonCary, NCBoston 2028USASouthMostly flat mixed surfaceFlat or fastCheck race siteRace site
REVEL Mt Charleston MarathonLas Vegas, NVBoston 2028USAWestDownhill road3,000–5,999 ft net drop; Boston 2028 index TBDCheck race siteRace site
Spring Chance BQ.2 Marathon (Geneva)Geneva, ILBoston 2028USAMidwestVery flat loopFlat or fastCheck race siteRace site
Christie Clinic Illinois MarathonChampaign-Urbana, ILBoston 2028USAMidwestFlat roadFlat or fastCheck race siteRace site
Eugene MarathonEugene, ORBoston 2028USAWestFlat roadFlat or fastCheck race siteRace site
Glass City MarathonToledo, OHBoston 2028USAMidwestFlat roadFlat or fastCheck race siteRace site
Oklahoma City Memorial MarathonOklahoma City, OKBoston 2028USASouthRolling roadRolling roadCheck race siteRace site
BMO Vancouver MarathonVancouver, BCBoston 2028CanadaWest CoastRoadRoad BQCheck race siteRace site
Flying Pig MarathonCincinnati, OHBoston 2028USAMidwestHilly roadRolling roadCheck race siteRace site
Pittsburgh MarathonPittsburgh, PABoston 2028USANortheastRolling roadRolling roadCheck race siteRace site
Toronto MarathonToronto, ONBoston 2028CanadaOntarioNet-downhill roadUnder 1,500 ft current downhill thresholdCheck race siteRace site
Fredericton MarathonFredericton, NBBoston 2028CanadaAtlantic CanadaFlat roadFlat or fastCheck race siteRace site
Cleveland MarathonCleveland, OHBoston 2028USAMidwestFlat roadFlat or fastCheck race siteRace site
Fargo MarathonFargo, NDBoston 2028USAMidwestFlat roadFlat or fastCheck race siteRace site
Tamarack Ottawa International MarathonOttawa, ONBoston 2028CanadaOntarioRoadRoad BQCheck race siteRace site
Grandma's MarathonDuluth, MNBoston 2028USAMidwestRolling roadFlat or fastCheck race siteRace site
Missoula MarathonMissoula, MTBoston 2028USAWestMostly flat roadFlat or fastCheck race siteRace site
San Francisco MarathonSan Francisco, CABoston 2028USAWestHilly roadRoad BQCheck race siteRace site

How to choose a BQ friendly marathon

  1. Start with the Boston window. Make sure the race date fits the Boston year you are targeting.
  2. Choose the course you can train for. Flat is simple, rolling can still be fast, and downhill needs specific quad preparation.
  3. Check weather risk. Look beyond average temperature and think about humidity, wind and how conditions compare with your training.
  4. Look at logistics. Easy travel, a calm hotel, predictable food and a simple start line can help more than chasing a slightly faster elevation profile.
  5. Verify before paying. Recheck the official date, certification, registration status and current B.A.A. rules.

After you choose a BQ race

A fast course only helps if your goal pace and training block fit your current fitness.

Race Pace CalculatorTurn a Boston goal time into pace per kilometre or mile and check race splits. Training Plan CreatorBuild a marathon training outline around your race date, weekly schedule and current level. Best Marathon WatchesCompare watches for pacing, workouts, battery life and race-day readability.

More marathon planning tools

Main Marathon FinderSearch a broader set of marathons by month, country, course and race size. Canada Marathon CalendarBrowse Canadian races by province, region, month and goal. USA Marathon CalendarBrowse U.S. races by state, region, month and race goal.

Boston qualifying marathon FAQ

Which races on this page can qualify for Boston 2027?

Only races on or before September 18, 2026 can fall inside the Boston 2027 qualifying window. Use the Boston 2027 filter to see the remaining listed races that fit the qualifying window.

When does Boston 2028 qualifying start?

The Boston 2028 qualifying window opens September 19, 2026 and continues through registration week in September 2027. The B.A.A. has not yet published the exact closing date.

Are the Boston 2028 qualifying standards different?

No. The B.A.A. has announced the same age and gender qualifying standards for Boston 2028 as Boston 2027.

Are downhill marathons still Boston qualifiers?

Some are. For Boston 2027, courses with 1,500 to 2,999 feet of net drop receive a +5:00 index, 3,000 to 5,999 feet receive +10:00, and 6,000 feet or more are not eligible. The B.A.A. says the downhill indexes are subject to change for Boston 2028.

Can I still enter a marathon after it sells out?

Sometimes. A sold-out race may still offer an official waitlist, a person-to-person transfer system, charity entries or another authorized program. Other races prohibit transfers completely. Use only the race’s official process and make sure the registration is issued in your name before relying on the result for Boston qualification.

Why are some 2027 marathon editions missing?

This page does not guess future dates. A 2027 edition is added when an exact date is published. That keeps the finder useful for actual trip and training planning instead of filling it with projected dates.

Does running the qualifying standard guarantee Boston entry?

No. A qualifying performance lets an athlete submit an application, but the B.A.A. can receive more qualified applicants than available places. The final accepted cutoff can therefore be faster than the published qualifying standard.

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