QUALIFYING RACES AROUND THE WORLD

Qualifying times must be run at a certified event
  • Races courses must be certified by USA Track and Field, Association for International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), or a national governing body for distance running for the country in which the race is held.
  • To check if a race is certified, please contact the event you are intending to compete in directly.
  • If the race you intend to run is not yet certified by USATF, AIMS, or foreign equivalent, please have the directors of the race secure such a designation before you attempt to qualify within the race.
  • Qualifying times attained on non-certified courses will not be recognized by the Boston Athletic Association.
  • Qualifying marathons for Boston must meet the following criteria:
    • USA Track and Field (or foreign equivalent) certified to attest to the exact 26.2 mile distance
    • Three or more officially entered competitors
    • Event must be advertised and promoted prior the race day
    • Transponder timing system is used as the official timing device
    • Run outdoors
    • If a course is NOT timed utilizing a transponder system, written, recorded check-sheets at each 5k checkpoint are acceptable and to supplement the recording with video images of runners running along the race course and across the finish line
    • The B.A.A. does not accept time-trials, handicapped marathons, treadmill marathons or marathons conducted indoors as qualifying events
    • The B.A.A. will only honor a qualifying performance achieved at an Ironman if the marathon portion of the event is officially timed and certified to attest to the exact 26.2 mile distance
    • If a race course is altered from its most previous certification and measurement, a new measurement and certification must be made before the next occurrence of the marathon is held. All of these changes must be submitted by the race director and approved by USATF, AIMS, or foreign equivalent.
Top qualifying races*
  • Boston Marathon
  • Chicago Marathon
  • New York City Marathon
  • California International Marathon
  • Philadelphia Marathon
  • Erie Marathon
  • Mountains 2 Beach Marathon
  • REVEL Mt Charleston Marathon
  • Berlin Marathon
  • Indianapolis Monumental Marathon
  • Twin Cities Marathon
  • London Marathon
  • St George Marathon
  • Richmond Marathon
  • Grandma's Marathon
  • Ottawa Marathon
  • Phoenix Marathon
  • Baystate Marathon
  • REVEL Big Cottonwood Marathon
  • Lehigh Valley Via Marathon
  • Steamtown Marathon
  • Marine Corps Marathon
  • Mohawk Hudson River Marathon
  • Jack and Jill's Downhill Marathon
  • Bayshore Marathon

*The list above does NOT reflect how many individuals achieve a qualifying performance at each respective event. The list above does NOT represent a complete list of marathons used to qualify for the Boston Marathon.