In short
Boston Marathon 2028: registration opens on Monday, September 13, 2027, starting at 10:00 a.m., New York time, based on previous years. Closes on Friday, September 17, 2027. Race date: April 17, 2028.
Estimated date: for 2027, qualifiers applied from Monday 14 September 2026 at 10 am to Friday 18 September at 5 pm (Boston time), with answers in early October. We assume the same week in 2027.To be confirmed once officially announced.
What are the dates for 2028?
- Today
- Sept. 13, 2027 Registration opens10:00 a.m., New York time
- Sept. 17, 2027 Registration closes
- April 17, 2028 Race day estimated dateStart time not announced yet
What do you book and at what price?
| What you book | A bib |
| Price | $260 for accepted qualifiers (2026 edition)Price taken from the source, with its year. |
What time do you need to run the Boston Marathon?
You need a qualifying time to enter: 2:55 for a man aged 18 to 34, 3:25 for a woman. But it is not enough: for 2027, you had to be 5 min 17 s faster than that time, and 8,019 qualifiers did not get a place.
Qualifying times for the Boston Marathon 2027
| Age on April 19, 2027 | Men | Women and non-binary |
|---|---|---|
| 18‑34 | 2:55:00 | 3:25:00 |
| 35‑39 | 3:00:00 | 3:30:00 |
| 40‑44 | 3:05:00 | 3:35:00 |
| 45‑49 | 3:15:00 | 3:45:00 |
| 50‑54 | 3:20:00 | 3:50:00 |
| 55‑59 | 3:30:00 | 4:00:00 |
| 60‑64 | 3:50:00 | 4:20:00 |
| 65‑69 | 4:05:00 | 4:35:00 |
| 70‑74 | 4:20:00 | 4:50:00 |
| 75‑79 | 4:35:00 | 5:05:00 |
| 80 and over | 4:50:00 | 5:20:00 |
Net (chip) time at a certified marathon. Official table for 2027: the 2028 dates are not yet published. In 2026, the cut-off was 4 min 34 s and 8,887 qualifiers were left out.
Other ways to get a bib
Source: B.A.A., Qualify. Checked on October 26, 2026. Times for the other marathons.
What do you need to enter?
- Qualifying time by age and sex (18-34: 2:55 for men, 3:25 for women), on a certified marathon during the qualifying period.
To be met before you can enter. Double-check the official rules.
How do you enter, step by step?
- Run your qualifying timeOn a certified marathon. For 2028, only marathons run since 19 September 2026 count.
- Apply from September 13, 2027 to September 17, 2027On Athletes' Village, the B.A.A. site. The day you apply does not matter: applications are ranked after closing.
- Answer around September 28, 2027By email, with the cut-off set (5 min 17 s for 2027). The fee is only charged once you are accepted.
- Not accepted? Two options remainThe draw of about 1,000 places among qualifiers left out (automatic), or a charity place with a partner charity.
Don't miss the date
Add the upcoming dates to your calendar: your phone reminds you 1 week before the first one, then the day before each.
The next marathons to open
The marathon registrations and lotteries that open next, in order.
Frequently asked questions
Boston Marathon 2028: what is the opening date?
Registration opens on Monday, September 13, 2027 at 10:00 a.m., New York time. Closes on Friday, September 17, 2027. Estimated date: for 2027, qualifiers applied from Monday 14 September 2026 at 10 am to Friday 18 September at 5 pm (Boston time), with answers in early October. We assume the same week in 2027. To be confirmed.
How much does Boston Marathon registration cost?
$260 for an accepted qualifier in 2026. The 2027 price is not shown on the B.A.A. site (to be checked). Nothing is charged until you are accepted.
How does the Boston Marathon lottery work?
Since 2027, about 1,000 places are drawn among qualifiers slower than the cut-off. No separate entry: everyone left out takes part.
Does a downhill marathon count to qualify for Boston?
Yes, but time is added: 5 minutes for a net drop of 1,500 to 2,999 ft, 10 minutes for 3,000 to 5,999 ft. Beyond that, the time does not count.
What is the Boston qualifying time for 2027?
From 2:55 (men aged 18 to 34) to 4:50 (80 and over), and from 3:25 to 5:20 for women and non-binary runners. You also needed to be 5 min 17 s under it to get a place.