17/06/2025
Thinking of qualifying for Boston, check the race
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16RzXy8R7D/
Big news for Boston hopefuls: the BAA is tightening the rules on downhill marathon courses.
Starting with the 2027 qualifying window, which opens on September 13, 2025, marathon times from courses that drop 1,500 feet or more in elevation will face new adjustments.
Here’s how it works. If your qualifying race has a net elevation drop between 1,500 and 2,999 feet, the BAA will add 5 minutes to your submitted time. If the course drops between 3,000 and 5,999 feet, they’ll add 10 minutes. And if the drop is over 6,000 feet, your time won’t count at all.
The change comes after a thorough analysis of race data from 2022 to the present. According to the BAA, runners on steep downhill courses consistently have an advantage over those on flatter routes. This has prompted the organization to level the playing field.
Some of the most impacted events include the Revel race series, such as Revel Big Bear in California, where more than 40% of runners qualified for Boston in 2023. Other affected races include the St. George Marathon, Jack and Jill’s Downhill Marathon, and the Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon all known for their significant elevation loss.
But not every “downhill” race will be penalized. Courses like the Boston Marathon itself (460 feet drop) or the California International Marathon (304 feet drop) remain unaffected.
This news follows the BAA’s earlier announcement that the qualifying standards for runners aged 18 to 59 will be five minutes faster starting with the 2026 race. Registration for the 2026 Boston Marathon is scheduled for September 8–12, 2025. And the next race will take place on April 20, 2026, with the 2027 edition set for April 19.
If you're training for Boston, it might be time to double-check your course.