Medley to Marathon 2027: Your Path to the Boston Marathon 2028 Through the B.A.A. Program
The Boston Athletic Association is accepting applications for Medley to Marathon 2027. The program is a pathway for runners who want to run the Boston Marathon but need an additional year to prepare. The deadline is November 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST.
What Is Medley to Marathon?
Launched in 2025, the program is designed for runners who would benefit from an extra year of preparation before the Boston Marathon. Participants first complete three races from the B.A.A. Distance Medley: the Boston 5K, the B.A.A. 10K and the Boston Half. After finishing the series, they earn the opportunity to run the Boston Marathon the following year.
The organizer provides a structured training pathway, resources and a supportive community. The goal is to lower the barriers to the marathon for runners who may not have another route to the start. The B.A.A. welcomes 20 athletes into the program each year.
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Program Launch | 2025 |
| Number of Spots | 20 athletes per year |
| Application Deadline | November 9, 2026, 11:59 p.m. EST |
| Notification of Decision | by January 11 |
| Races in the Program | Boston 5K, B.A.A. 10K, Boston Half |
| Boston Marathon | the year after completing the series |
| Contact | community@baa.org |
Three Races in One Year
The Distance Medley runs from April to November and requires finishing all three races within a single year. In 2026 the series opened with the Boston 5K on April 18, continued with the B.A.A. 10K in June and ends with the Boston Half on November 8, 2026, starting and finishing in Franklin Park. Applications for Medley to Marathon close the next day, so this is the same cycle that program participants go through before they earn a place at the Boston Marathon.
Who Can Apply?
Applications are reviewed by a selection committee made up of representatives of Boston’s running crews and leaders of the local running community. Applicants are evaluated on the criteria in the table below.
| Criterion | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Connection to Boston | a meaningful connection to the city |
| Passion and Training | a passion for running and a commitment to training |
| Underrepresented Group | membership in a group historically underrepresented in distance running |
| Qualifying Time | unlikely to reach a Boston Marathon qualifying time based on age and gender |
| Charity Program | unable to meet the fundraising requirements of an official charity program, so no other feasible route to the start |
| Experience | has never run a marathon, including Boston, or applied to an official charity team |
| Extra Year | would benefit from an additional year of training |
Note: for 2027 there are two separate programs, Boston’s Marathoners and Medley to Marathon. They have different criteria and different application deadlines, and a runner can apply to only one of them.
What the B.A.A. Expects From Participants
Runners accepted into the program commit to the following.
| Commitment | Details |
|---|---|
| Kickoff Event | in-person orientation in late January (date to be announced) |
| Training Program | coaching, training clinics and long runs |
| Communication Channel | a private channel with teammates and coaches |
| Media Permission | the B.A.A. may use participants’ photos and videos in its media and publications |
| Registration Fee | Distance Medley registration and payment by the deadline |
How to Apply
The application form is available on the Boston Athletic Association website, and questions about the program can be sent to community@baa.org.
The Medley to Marathon 2027 application is available on the Boston Athletic Association website.
Medley to Marathon is one of several ways to reach the Boston Marathon start line, alongside qualifying times and the official charity programs. It is meant for runners who need an extra year to prepare for their first marathon.
Source: Boston Athletic Association
