In short
For a man aged 18 to 34, you need between 2:45 (Berlin, Sydney) and 2:55 (Boston); for a woman, between 3:10 (Berlin) and 3:38 (London). Tokyo is a case apart (2:22 and 2:50), and Comrades asks 5:00 of everyone. Only Chicago guarantees a bib to everyone who has the time; New York guarantees it only at its own races. Elsewhere, the fastest get in first.
What are the times for the 8 marathons, by age?
| 2027 marathon | Is the time enough? | Man 18-34 | Woman 18-34 | Man 50-54 | Woman 50-54 | Time run | Places |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Chicago | Guaranteed | 2:50:00 | 3:20:00 | 3:15:00 | 3:50:00 | Jan. 1, 2025 to Oct. 29, 2026 | no limit |
| New York | Guaranteed at NYRR races, otherwise the fastest | 2:53:00 | 3:13:00 | 3:14:00 | 3:51:00 | Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2026 | not published |
| Boston | Required, the fastest get in | 2:55:00 | 3:25:00 | 3:20:00 | 3:50:00 | since Sept. 13, 2025 | 30,000 runners in all |
 London (UK residents) | The fastest get in | 2:52:00 (18-39) | 3:38:00 (18-39) | 3:07:00 | 3:53:00 | Oct. 1, 2025 to Sept. 30, 2026 | 6,000 |
 Berlin | Not guaranteed | 2:45:00 (18-44) | 3:10:00 (18-44) | 2:55:00 (45-59) | 3:30:00 (45-59) | 2025 and 2026 | not published |
 Sydney | The fastest get in | 2:45:00 | 3:18:00 | 3:00:00 | 3:43:00 | since July 1, 2025 | 1,200 |
 Tokyo (outside Japan) | The fastest get in | 2:22:00 | 2:50:00 | same time | same time | July 2024 to June 2026 | 25 + 25 |
 Comrades | Required for everyone | 5:00:00 | 5:00:00 | 5:00:00 | 5:00:00 | June 15, 2026 to May 3, 2027 | 28,000 runners in all |
Sources for the times, checked on October 26, 2026 : Chicago Marathon : Bank of America Chicago Marathon, Apply · New York City Marathon : NYRR, Marathon Time Qualifiers · Boston Marathon : B.A.A., Qualify · London Marathon : London Marathon Events, Good For Age entry · Berlin Marathon : Berlin-Marathon, Registration · Sydney Marathon : TCS Sydney Marathon, High Performance Program · Tokyo Marathon : Tokyo Marathon, RUN as ONE · Comrades Marathon : Comrades Marathon.
Berlin uses year of birth (1983 to 2009, 1968 to 1982, 1967 and before): ages are given for 2027. Tokyo uses gun time, the others net (chip) time. Each name leads to the full table, by age, on the race page. Taken from the official websites on October 26, 2026.
Which marathon has the easiest qualifying time?
For men aged 18 to 34, Boston (2:55), then New York (2:53) and Chicago (2:50). Chicago is the safest: its time guarantees a bib. For women, London asks for 3:38, but only from UK residents; then come Boston (3:25) and Chicago (3:20). Comrades asks for a marathon under 5 hours, but that is to run an ultra.
Does a qualifying time guarantee a bib?
Only in Chicago, and in New York at an NYRR race. In Boston, you must be under your time and fast enough: for 2027, you needed to be 5 min 17 s faster, and 8,019 qualifiers did not get a place. In London, Sydney and Tokyo, places go to the fastest up to a quota. In Berlin, the organizer warns that fast runner registration does not guarantee a place.
Which races count for a qualifying time?
- A measured, certified course (AIMS, World Athletics or USATF depending on the race).
- Net (chip) time everywhere except Tokyo, which uses gun time.
- A half marathon counts only for New York, and only at an NYRR half.
- The race's official result: NYRR states that watches and Strava are not accepted.
How can you run a Major without a time or the lottery?
- A charity place: running for a cause and raising money (at least $2,500 in Chicago).
- An official tour operator: a package with hotel and bib.
- Loyalty: Legacy in Chicago (5 finishes in 10 years), the Jubilee Club in Berlin, the 9+1 program in New York for NYRR members.
Which marathons have no qualifying time?
From our checks, Paris, Valencia, Dublin, Copenhagen, Beijing, Hong Kong, Osaka, Big Sur, Marine Corps and Cape Town have no time-based entry to be checked. You get in through the lottery or direct registration. See our lottery odds guide.
- Boston 2028: the B.A.A. has not yet published the qualifying window or registration dates.
- Shanghai: no qualifying time, but the first 200 men and 100 women at the Shanghai Half would get direct entry.
Don't miss an opening
Add every opening on this page to your calendar: your phone reminds you 1 week before and the day before each one.
Frequently asked questions
Can you still enter the 2027 Boston Marathon?
No: qualifier registration ran from September 14 to 18, 2026. The 2028 dates are not yet published.
Does a half marathon count as a qualifying time?
Only for New York, at an NYRR half (NYC Half, Brooklyn Half, Staten Island Half, Maybelline Women's Half). Elsewhere you need a marathon.
Which age counts?
Your age on the day of the target race in Boston, New York, Chicago and Sydney; your age on the day of the qualifying race in London; your year of birth in Berlin.
What is the fastest qualifying time?
Tokyo: 2:22 for a man and 2:50 for a woman, gun time, for 25 places per sex reserved for runners from outside Japan.
When did Chicago and London applications close?
On October 29, 2026: at 2 p.m. Chicago time for Chicago, at 4 p.m. GMT for London Good For Age.