When Is the Boston Marathon? How to Qualify for Boston Marathon

The Boston Marathon traditionally takes place on Patriots’ Day (third Monday in April). Registration opens months earlier with rolling admission based on qualifying times.

How to qualify for Boston Marathon (BQ)

• Run a marathon on a certified course within the qualifying window.
• Beat your age-group Boston Qualifier time; entry is competitive if the cutoff is faster than standards.
• Choose a fast course and use our marathon pace chart to plan even splits.

Training toward a BQ

• Threshold sessions and long runs with marathon-pace segments.
• Practice fueling and hills; Boston features the Newton hills and the famed Heartbreak Hill.

Also asked

• when is the boston marathon — April, Patriots’ Day (historically)
• how to qualify for boston marathon — meet BQ standard on a certified course