The qualification times of Boston Marathon bring a lot of chat every year, because we wonder whether the standards will change again. An announcement of 2025 took an unexpected turn to find out that the actual times had not changed, but the rules for which races qualified.
Qualifying races are much a full distance marathon (26.2 miles/42.195 kilometers) run by at least three participants. The course must be certified by USATF, World Athletics, AIMS or a foreign equivalent administrative body.
The changes, starting in 2027, are about height fall.
Downhill BQ qualifications
Since 2022, the Boston Athletic Association has collaborated with data scientists to determine whether athletes are eligible for courses with at least a height of 1500 feet a measurable advantage over those who are eligible for events with a net height of less than 1,500 feet.
Their findings were yes, they do, and they are planning to tackle the discrepancy that starts in 2027. Every runner who is eligible on a course with a net-downhill of more than 1500 feet will make a time adjustment, known as an ‘index’, to correct the benefit.
The changes will affect runners on around 24 marathons and around 3600 runners. With about 12% of the total Boston field (more when you get the number of bibs to media, charity, etc.), this is a substantial change.
Do you have a downhill race this year? Get it in before September 15, 2025 and the rules are not yet applicable.
1. More than 6000 feet downhill
Although there were previously minimum provisions, courses with a height of more than 6000 feet (1,828.6 meters) between the start and finish will now not be acceptable for qualifying purposes.
Interesting to note that this is good for around 1500 participants in this year, which is about 5% of the total field, according to Findmymarathon.com.
What does this mean for the future of popular races such as Revel MT Charleston and Revel Big Bear ??? Will they see a large decrease in the registrations without the potential of a BQ?
Jack Fleming, President and Chief Executive Officer of the BAA, issued a statement about the changes.
“As the sport of marathoning has been in popularity and the demand for a place in the boston marathon has reached record levels, the baa has continued to analyze racing results from events across the world. The new downhill corruption mare the next boston pricings are step in urration in urration in urration in urration in urration in urration in urration in urration. Athletes and Events Ample Time to Prepare in Advance of the 2027 Boston Marathon Registration Period.
2. Time adjustments
Courses with a net-downhill between 1500 and 2,999 feet will make an adjustment of 5 minutes, while courses with a Net-downhill between 3,000 and 5,999 feet will make a ten-minute adjustment.
In other words, if you walk a 3:30 on the St George Marathon, a BQ for your age group (you needed 3:35), you can request Boston Marathon in the coming years. However, after receiving your time, an adjustment of 5 minutes will be added to move your time up to 3:35.
If the same person ran a 3:35 on a course with a 5 -minute adjustment, it would be considered a 3:40 and they are not allowed to apply for Boston.
As we know every year, people missed a few minutes from their Boston application, so that adjustment can indeed mean that you no longer make the cut. In recent years when the BQ time before your age was 3:30, you probably have to perform a 3:25 or faster to get a place.
All that to say, you have earned a qualifying time from Boston, but it may not be in the race.
What do runners think about change?
Since the news came out, runners have had mixed reactions.
Some, such as Run_Rhandi_Run, think it is only fair.
Athlisa agrees and says it should have been done a while ago.
Many people think that instead they should have break down other types of participants (a lot of agreement on comments like this!).
And Katestring thinks they should have given runners more time to adapt.
Boston qualifying downhill marathons
However, you are lucky because there are still different downhill races that you can use to qualify for Boston without any form of time penalty.
This does not mean avoid the other larger downhill races, they can give you a much faster time to make the adjustment worthwhile. But if you want to know that your time is your time, then these are the options to consider.
#1. Bergen 2 Beach (April)
Where: Ojai, California to the center of Ventura, California
Net height drop: 700 feet
You start in the center of Ojai and enjoy the entire 26.2 miles from the mountains on the beach from the mountains to the beach. The first six miles runs through Ojai, then runners down through hinterland roads before they come to Ventura Ave. The landscape includes mountain tops and the pelvis of the Ventura River.
The finish line emerges on the famous Ventura beach, and further, a festival to celebrate your finish.
Racer Abby says that the course was difficult, but as far as qualifying for Boston, it worked for many!
This run starts in Ojai and has a beautiful view of the mountains and the countryside. There are gradual intense inclined the first 8-9 miles in Ojai area, after which the majority of the course is downhill.
I burned myself with a pace too quickly and paid for it (because many runners struggled towards the end) but the view of the ocean and the wind to end the race was great!
This is not a very spectators -friendly course with a lot of time on cycle paths away from the main streets. Be prepared to run more alone than with a group if you don’t stay at a pace.
Certainly, this year, they have messed up the length of the race, so that we all ran an extra 0.5 miles!
Many people qualified Boston!
#2. Mesa Marathon (February)
Where: Mesa, Arizona
Net height drop: 1000 feet
The weather is cool (at least in the morning), the price is usually flat and fast, and the height is low enough that runners are still eligible for Boston in 2027.
The race starts under the board “Phoenix” on Usery Mountain and ends in Riverview Park in Mesa, and in between is beautiful, desert filled with cactus and a view of the Phoenix Valley.
Racer already says that he wishes the landscape to have taken, but was impressed by how the race was generally performed:
This was my 18th marathon and this was one of the most organized races I saw. Moreover, the largest and best exhibition I have experienced is.
Love the start of the race in the mountains and wanted it to have lasted more than the first 4 miles. The later part of the race became a bit boring because you usually walk through the streets of Mesa.
General great experience.
#3. Marquette Marathon (August)
Where: Marquette County, the upper peninsula of Michigan
Net height drop: 1037 feet
This is a beautiful area that contains an old mining city and a picturesque path, but that ends in a paved immediately that is flat and fast.
The course starts in Ishpeming, a small iron mining city that means the name means that heaven in the native Ojibwa means. Lopers then follow the Iron Ore Heritage Trail to the Superior Dome in Marquette.
First Timer Rebeccaruns360 from Race Raves thought it was absolutely great:
Surrounded by Lake Superior, Marquette is a beautiful, airy city with vast paved and gravel paths that you can enjoy with this race.
The marathon runners are searched for Ishpeming, Mi to see the sun rise from a small midwest town.
Then it is a quick trip through the city to get on the main path.
Beautiful view, long downhill stretching and frequent auxiliary stations, this race was perfect for a first timer like me!
#4. Jack & Jill’s Downhill Marathon (July)
Where: North Bend, Washington
Net height drop: 800 feet
It will not be better than the landscape in the Pacific Northwest, and this point-to-point race takes Lopers along the Lehigh Gorge. The course is soft and the descent is gentle, which ensures a great place to try for Boston’s qualifying time.
You want to ensure that you have a headlight or flashlight before the start, which takes place in the Snoqualmie tunnel. The rest of the track follows the John Wayne Trail, which is beautiful and an even dirt and gravel road.
Runner Ihadaden Timeis pleasantly surprised with her time:
The tunnel was very cool and the track was beautiful. The gradual decline gave me one of my best times, although my training was missing.
The exhibition and post -race activities were bland, but everyone was super friendly.
#5. Ogden Marathon (May)
Where: Ogden, Utah
Net height drop: 1100 feet
This beautiful run starts at a height of 5400 feet, with open roads, rush rivers and green fields as far as the eye can see.
Beyond the halfway between point, Circle Circle Circle Pineview reservoir before immersing them down to Ogden Canyon and its powerful river.
The track ends in the center of Ogden at an altitude of 4309 feet.
Repeat runner Patrick says that it is difficult to beat:
This was my first year that the marathon ran, although I have already performed half before. I compare all my races with this course, and nobody has Ogden at the top.
The organization is fantastic and the views are great! I can’t recommend this race enough!
This race has my heart.
#6. Salt Lake City Marathon (August)
Where: Salt Lake City, Utah
Net height drop: 700 feet
Although this course that drops 700 feet everywhere steadily, it is gradual and contains only a few rolling hills. It has a city feeling with a mountain background, so the roads are paved and easy to navigate.
Completing this course is an achievement and gives you the feeling that you have seen many of the highlights of the city in the process.
Participant Mattyice says that the course was more challenging than he expected:
I think this race could have been so much harder, but a carefully routed course kept it very honest. I had no idea what Hilly SLC was like.
I was lucky with great weather and a fairly steep downhill start with ~ 7 minutes miles, then the rest of the race hung on ~ 8 minutes on average and kept my total average of <8:00.
I am proud of my time for a flatlander sea level resident.
I recommend this race for Utah.
These new qualifying requirements are absolutely something to keep in mind if you want to qualify for Boston in the coming years.
That said, a majority of runners believe that the updated rules are fair, and there are still many options for runners who enjoy all kinds of courses.
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