For the 2027 Boston Marathon, the B.A.A. is introducing a single new element within the existing qualification system. After the registration window closes on September 18, all submitted applications will be reviewed, qualifying times will be verified, and athletes will be ranked based on how much they exceeded their age‑group standard. The fastest runners in each category will be accepted first, and their results will determine the annual cut‑off time.
The new addition for 2027 is a random selection component called the Boston Qualifier Selection! This mechanism applies to athletes who achieved a valid Boston Qualifier but did not surpass the cut‑off. Approximately 1,000 runners from this group will be randomly selected for entry, creating an additional opportunity for those who met the qualifying standard but fell short of the time‑based acceptance threshold.
Eligibility for the Boston Qualifier Selection is automatic. Any athlete whose qualifying time was equal to or slower than the cut‑off in their age group and gender will be included. The chance of being selected depends on how many Boston Qualifier applications are submitted during the September registration period. Due to field size limitations, not all applicants will be accepted.
All applicants for the 2027 Boston Marathon will receive notification of acceptance or non‑acceptance in early October 2026, giving runners clarity ahead of the next training cycle.
Key Information
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Registration Deadline | September 18, 2026 |
| Main Acceptance Method | Fastest qualifiers by age group determine the annual cut‑off. |
| New Rule | Boston Qualifier Selection — approx. 1,000 randomly selected qualifiers. |
| Who Is Included | Athletes with qualifying times equal to or slower than the cut‑off. |
| Selection Odds | Dependent on the number of Boston Qualifier applications submitted. |
| Notification Date | Early October 2026 |
Summary
The 2027 update introduces a single new rule: a random selection for qualifiers who did not exceed the cut‑off. This additional pathway offers roughly one thousand runners a chance to secure a bib despite rising competition and increasingly fast qualifying times. All decisions will be communicated in early October 2026.
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