Home > Runs & Races

Boston Marathon field size back up to 30,000 for 2022

All runners must be fully vaccinated in order to participate in the race

After its first-ever October running, the Boston Marathon will be returning to its traditional spot on Patriot’s Day, the third Monday in April, and race organizers announced Tuesday that it will also be opening the run back up to a larger field size of 30,000 participants.

Boston Marathon Start courtesy of Boston Athletic Association

How to qualify and register for the 2022 Boston Marathon

This number is much more in-line with the race’s pre-pandemic field sizes, which have hovered right around 30,000 for several years. Aside from the October race’s reduced field size of 20,000, the smallest field Boston has seen in the last decade has been about 27,000 participants, which occurred in 2011 and 2012. This will be welcome news to runners who missed the cut-off qualifying times last year, which were a whopping 7:47 faster this year thanks to the smaller participation cap.

In a press release posted to the organization’s website, the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) also stipulated that any runner wishing to participate in the 2022 event must be fully vaccinated in order to gain a spot on the start line.

“As we look to return to the traditional Patriots’ Day date for the first time since 2019 and allow for as many athletes to participate as safely as possible, we know that a fully vaccinated field is the appropriate requirement to implement,” said Tom Grilk, President and Chief Executive Officer of the B.A.A., in a statement.

Boston Marathon 2021

All participants must be able to provide proof of vaccination prior to race day, which is set for Monday, April 18. Any registered athlete who cannot provide proof of vaccination will not be allowed to participate, and they will not receive a refund, transfer or deferral to a future event, according to the B.A.A. press release. Any eligible runners who are medically exempt from the COVID-19 vaccine will have their situations assessed on an individual basis.

Registration for the 2022 event opens on November 8 at 10 a.m. ET, and closes on November 12 at 5 p.m. ET. Runners who are hoping to get a spot on the start line for the 126th Boston Marathon have until registration closes to run a qualifying time at an official, course-certified marathon.

Benson Kipruto and Diana Kipyogei win the 125th Boston Marathon

Here are the time standards for official qualification. Your age is considered to be the age you will be on race day.

Age Group MEN WOMEN
18-34 3hrs 00min 00sec 3hrs 30min 00sec
35-39 3hrs 05min 00sec 3hrs 35min 00sec
40-44 3hrs 10min 00sec 3hrs 40min 00sec
45-49 3hrs 20min 00sec 3hrs 50min 00sec
50-54 3hrs 25min 00sec 3hrs 55min 00sec
55-59 3hrs 35min 00sec 4hrs 05min 00sec
60-64 3hrs 50min 00sec 4hrs 20min 00sec
65-69 4hrs 05min 00sec 4hrs 35min 00sec
70-74 4hrs 20min 00sec 4hrs 50min 00sec
75-79 4hrs 35min 00sec 5hrs 05min 00sec
80 and over 4hrs 50min 00sec 5hrs 20min 00sec

Check out the latest buyer's guide:

The best trainers in Canada under $150

We curated the best performance trainers under $150 to meet your 2024 running goals, while staying on budget