Boston Marathon cutoff is 1:39 for 2020
Even with qualifying times being lowered by five minutes across the board for 2020 and increasing the field size to 31,500, runners still had to beat their qualifying time by more than a minute and a half
The Boston Marathon is doing everything it can to maximize the number of qualified entrants who get accepted into its starter corrals for 2020. Those who were at least a minute and 39 seconds faster than their qualifying time have been accepted, and the race has added 1,500 runners to the field size, increasing it from 30,000 to 31,500. The race is Monday, April 20, 2020.
We at the @BAA are so thankful for the support during registration. 27,288 qualified athletes submitted applications for #Boston2020. Those who ran 1:39 or faster than their qualifying times have been accepted or are in the process of being accepted – https://t.co/QKlVpQotqB pic.twitter.com/sjDdfZbjXw
— Boston Marathon (@bostonmarathon) September 25, 2019
Registration for qualified entrants was completed on September 18. The number of qualified registrants accepted currently stands at 24,127, and the remaining spots will be filled mainly by invited elites and by runners who commit to raising funds for a charitable organization. In addition, 471 qualifiers were accepted based on finishing 10 or more consecutive Boston Marathons, and 290 qualified para athletes were accepted or will be accepted through the conclusion of the Para Athletics Divisions and Adaptive Programs registration period. Registration will remain open for para athletes until the maximum field size is reached or until October 27.
RELATED: Former San Quentin lifer runs his fastest marathon yet at Boston
The qualifying period was from September 15, 2018 to September 18, 2019.
History of the acceptance cutoffs:
2014: 1:38
2015: 1:02
2016: 2:28
2017: 2:09
2018: 3:23
Age-group qualifying times and acceptance times for the 2020 Boston Marathon:
Men:
| AGE GROUP | QUALIFYING STANDARD | QUALIFICATION TIMES ACCEPTED (faster than and including) |
| 18-34 | 3hrs 00min 00sec | 2hrs 58min 21sec |
| 35-39 | 3hrs 05min 00sec | 3hrs 03min 21sec |
| 40-44 | 3hrs 10min 00sec | 3hrs 08min 21sec |
| 45-49 | 3hrs 20min 00sec | 3hrs 18min 21sec |
| 50-54 | 3hrs 25min 00sec | 3hrs 23min 21sec |
| 55-59 | 3hrs 35min 00sec | 3hrs 33min 21sec |
| 60-64 | 3hrs 50min 00sec | 3hrs 48min 21sec |
| 65-69 | 4hrs 05min 00sec | 4hrs 03min 21sec |
| 70-74 | 4hrs 20min 00sec | 4hrs 18min 21sec |
| 75-79 | 4hrs 35min 00sec | 4hrs 33min 21sec |
| 80 and older | 4hrs 50min 00sec | 4hrs 48min 21sec |
RELATED: Boston’s top Canadian is a trail runner
Women:
| AGE GROUP | QUALIFYING STANDARD | QUALIFICATION TIMES ACCEPTED (faster than and including) |
| 18-34 | 3hrs 30min 00sec | 3hrs 28min 21sec |
| 35-39 | 3hrs 35min 00sec | 3hrs 33min 21sec |
| 40-44 | 3hrs 40min 00sec | 3hrs 38min 21sec |
| 45-49 | 3hrs 50min 00sec | 3hrs 48min 21sec |
| 50-54 | 3hrs 55min 00sec | 3hrs 53min 21sec |
| 55-59 | 4hrs 05min 00sec | 4hrs 03min 21sec |
| 60-64 | 4hrs 20min 00sec | 4hrs 18min 21sec |
| 65-69 | 4hrs 35min 00sec | 4hrs 33min 21sec |
| 70-74 | 4hrs 50min 00sec | 4hrs 48min 21sec |
| 75-79 | 5hrs 05min 00sec | 5hrs 03min 21sec |
| 80 and older | 5hrs 20min 00sec | 5hrs 18min 21sec |
The qualifying window for the 2021 Boston Marathon began on Saturday, September 14, 2019.
Check out the latest buyer's guide:
