How to run the Boston Marathon: entry, training timeline and race weekend

1. Sep 13, 2025 to Sep 18, 2026Qualifying window Run your age-group standard on a certified course in this window.Closed
2. Sep 14 to 18, 2026Qualifier registration Applications through Athletes’ Village. Fastest under their standard were accepted first.Closed
3. After registrationCut-off: 5:17 Qualifiers needed to be 5:17 under standard. 8,019 qualifiers were not accepted.Closed
4. New for 2027Boston Qualifier Selection About 1,000 qualifiers who missed the cut-off are picked at random for entry.Closed
5. Charity routeOfficial Charity Program Run without a qualifying time by fundraising for a B.A.A. charity partner.Other route
6. Apr 19, 2027Race dayComing up

Need a qualifying time? See the full table on our Boston Majors page.

We only list prices the B.A.A. publishes. Flight and hotel prices swing too much by date to quote here.

1. Mon Dec 14, 202618 weeks outDay one of an 18-week plan Eighteen weeks is the length of the official Chicago Marathon training plan with Nike. Pick a plan that fits the running you already do.In 37 days
2. Mon Jan 4, 202715 weeks outBook travel and a place to stay Lock in flights and lodging before race-week prices and availability get tight. Use the race’s official travel or housing partner if it has one.In 58 days
3. Mon Feb 8, 202710 weeks outPick a tune-up race A half marathon in the middle of your plan is a good check on your goal pace. Races Near lists halves near you.In 93 days
4. Mon Mar 8, 20276 weeks outDress rehearsal long run Run a long run in race-day kit and practice with what the course hands out: water and Gatorade (every mile from mile 2) and Maurten gels.In 121 days
5. Mon Mar 29, 20273 weeks outTaper starts Follow your plan as it cuts back over the final weeks. Do not try to catch up on missed long runs now.In 142 days
6. Thu Apr 1, 2027Early AprilBib pickup email The B.A.A. sends your Digital Number Pick-Up Pass by early April. You need it plus government photo ID.In 145 days
7. Mon Apr 12, 20271 week outRace week Read the official participant guide, confirm your bib pickup slot and plan your route to the start.In 156 days
8. Mon Apr 19, 2027Race dayRace day Go get it.In 163 days

This is our suggested calendar, not a training plan. Use it to line up your plan of choice with the race's own dates. Running a different goal race? Try the pace calculator for your splits.

1. Start to mile 4.95

   Hopkinton and Ashland

   Point to point and downhill early. The course starts on Main Street in Hopkinton and drops through Ashland. Hold back: these miles feel easy and cost you later.

2. Miles 4.95 to 11.72

   Framingham and Natick

   Route 135 keeps descending through Framingham and past Natick Common. Find your rhythm and take water early; stations come every mile.

3. Miles 11.72 to 15.93

   Wellesley and halfway

   The Wellesley Scream Tunnel at Wellesley College, just before halfway, is one of the loudest spots in road racing. Maurten Hydrogel is handed out at mile 12.1.

4. Miles 15.93 to 21.35

   Newton and the hills

   Turn right at the Newton Lower Falls fire station onto Commonwealth Avenue. The Newton Hills run from mile 17.5 to 21, ending at Heartbreak Hill. Maurten again at 17.1. Run these by effort, not pace.

5. Miles 21.35 to 24.7

   Brighton and Brookline

   Bear right onto Chestnut Hill Avenue to Cleveland Circle, then left onto Beacon Street. The last Maurten stop is at mile 22. From the top of Heartbreak you can see downtown Boston.

6. Mile 24.7 to finish

   Kenmore Square to Boylston

   Through Kenmore Square, under Massachusetts Avenue, right on Hereford, left on Boylston. The finish is near the Boston Public Library in Copley Square.

Course records: 2:01:52 (John Korir, 2026) and 2:17:22 (Sharon Lokedi, 2025).

The B.A.A. has not published 2027 times yet. These are the 2026 times, for planning.

• Expo and bib pickup

  • Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston Street.
  • 2026 hours were Fri 10 to 7, Sat 9 to 7, Sun 9 to 6. 2027 hours: not announced yet.
  • Bring government photo ID and your Digital Number Pick-Up Pass. No one can pick up for you.

• Getting to Hopkinton

  • Official buses load on Charles Street between the Public Garden and Boston Common, by wave.
  • Limited Hopkinton parking at the 52 and 80 South Street lots. Return buses run noon to 7 p.m. from Columbus Avenue.
  • Athletes’ Village is at Hopkinton Middle and High School, a 0.7-mile walk to the start.

• Gear check

  • Clear B.A.A. bag only, on Boylston and Berkeley Streets past the finish.
  • Drop-off 5:45 to 9:15 a.m., pickup 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (2026 times).
  • Only the 1-gallon Start Area Bag goes to Hopkinton, and nothing comes back from the start.

• On the course

  • Water and Gatorade every mile from mile 2.
  • Maurten gels at miles 12.1, 17.1 and 22.
  • 26 medical stations. Backpacks and hydration vests with bladders are not allowed.

• Corrals

  • You can move back to a later wave, but not forward.

• Finish and meet-up

  • Family Meeting Area on Stuart Street between Berkeley and Clarendon, sorted by last name.
  • It takes a while to walk there from the finish, so tell your people to be patient.

• Watch the start in Hopkinton, then take the Commuter Rail from Ashland, Framingham, Natick or Wellesley to see your runner again downtown.
• The Wellesley Scream Tunnel (just before halfway) and the Newton Hills (miles 17.5 to 21) have the loudest crowds. Green Line stops serve Newton and Brookline.
• You cannot park near the finish. The B.A.A. suggests garages at 100 Clarendon, the Prudential Center, Copley Place and Boston Common (closed Marathon Monday morning).
• ADA viewing is near the finish at Hereford, Ring Road, Fairfield and Exeter on Boylston. Hynes Convention Center MBTA station is not accessible.
• A sensory-friendly viewing area is at the Tolles Parsons Center, 500 Washington Street, Wellesley (around mile 13.5).