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How to Qualify for the Boston Marathon: Tips from Everyday Runners

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Yellow and blue take on a whole new significance come Marathon Monday. These Boston Marathon qualifying tips might just be your ticket to pull on the coveted runners jacket.

After a weekend of watching our friends snap photos with that iconic finish line and gather their nerves, many of us find ourselves dreaming of having that special moment too.

Boston.First, let’s start with a few Boston Marathon must know facts.

Boston Marathon Qualifying Times

What are the current Boston marathon qualifying times?

Since they keep changing, this is a great question. For 2021, you will need to have a run a qualifying time by Sept 2018.

Here are the current Boston Marathon qualifying times by gender and age range, what’s important to know here is that so many often qualify in each category that people have started aiming for 5 minutes faster than the listed goal to help ensure they get an entry.Boston qualifying times 2020
When registration opens up, those with the fastest times in their group are allowed to register first and then spots open up in waves after that to other qualifiers.

Based on the delay of 2020 and the increasing number of runners applying, it’s ideal to work on a training plan that gives you plenty of padding around that goal time, so you aren’t stressing about getting in the Boston registration if the race itself is your big goal.

The field is 31,500 runners and roughly 20% could be charity runners.

How Many Boston Marathon Charity Spots?

Yup, charity running is another way to get your Boston Marathon experience if you feel like qualifying is out of reach.

You’ll likely need to raise $3500-5000 and work with a specific team to ensure you have a guaranteed entry. They must be an official charity of the race, so check before signing up with anyone!

The other way to get in is through a sponsor, much like the opportunity I was given to run New York City when Asics was a primary sponsor.

When is the Boston Marathon?

The race is always held on Patriot’s Day in April and is there for known as Marathon Monday. For 2021, they have announced   delay to the Fall, but have not set a specific date yet.

What’s with the Boston Marathon unicorn?

The athletic club was founded in 1887 (the first Boston Marathon took place in 1897), and the unicorn was associated with all the organization’s sports. The theory is it was part of the family crest of one of those founding members..

Boston Qualifying Marathons

First you need to find out if the course is certified, which they usually list on the race details because it’s a big deal. Boston marathon qualifying races are actually pretty easy to  find, but what’s more exciting is a race where the most people finish with a BQ.

Best Races to Qualify for the Boston Marathon

Based on finish times, there have been a number of different studies that say yes!! It’s obviously much harder to hit your best race time on course with tons of hills or crazy weather conditions…making Boston itself amusing because it’s not really PR friendly course

Here’s a fun breakdown of the potential races which will help your odds of achieving that BQ thanks to their fast courses.Boston Qualify RacesNow that you know the best marathons to qualify for the Boston marathon, I can’t wait to see which one you pick… I’ve certainly got my eye on a few of them.

One final fact that I think is extremely important: Boston is an amazing, incredible and wonderful achievement. It’s a special moment because of all the work that goes in to making it happen.

Not running Boston doesn’t make you less of a runner.

Maybe you’re an ultra runner, maybe you crush the 5K, maybe like me you’ve found that you love running and pushing super hard often leaves you sick or injured. Boston is incredible, but it’s not the definition of a runner, so don’t let it leave you discouraged!

Boston Marathon Qualifying Tips

How to qualify for the Boston marathon? It’s always going to be a variety of things from consistent training to smart training to strength training, which is why so many people find success once they get a running coach.

But, we all have the friend who BQ’s on their very first marathon or who just seems to naturally rock a pace that we have to work hard to hit…those are not the friends I reached out to for advice today, ha!!

I wanted to talk with runners that had to put in miles and miles, sometimes years of effort to reach their big goal. Because if you’re reading this, I bet that’s exactly where you are too and it’s important to know the goal is still within reach.Boston Marathon Qualifying Tips

Tip 1: Practice Even Splits
Sandra of Organic Runner Mom

In order to qualify for the Boston Marathon, I decided to run even split’s during the Boston marathon qualifying race. This helped me to maintain my energy level during the race so that I still had some left to give in the final miles.

When trying to qualify for the Boston Marathon it is so important to run your own race and to not get distracted by the other racer is around you on race day.

I love this tip because we so often hear about running negative splits (faster in the second half than the first), but data has now shown us that it’s much smarter to try and find 1 consistent pace to hit from start to finish! elite boston runners

  • Do workouts at your goal race pace, not just faster and slower
  • Do a half marathon a couple months ahead of your marathon to practice even splits

Tip 2: Increased Overall Mileage
Laura of Mommy Run Fast

I think what helped me qualify for Boston was gradually increasing my overall mileage and a mid week long run that I built up to ten-twelve miles on Wednesdays.

About 3 weeks out from the race, I ran ten of those miles at goal race pace which really boosted my confidence that I could hold the pace in the marathon. The combination of a stronger, race specific training plan and confidence in my abilities helped me hit my goal!

Goal race pace!!! My favorite words to hear from a runner! So often we practice faster than race pace in speed workouts or slower to get in long runs, but knowing exactly how race pace should feel is so important.Boston Marathon jacketJenna McHugh sporting the 2018 Boston Marathon jacket.

  • Remember the 10% rule of adding mileage, slow and steady increase
  • Keep 80% of your mileage easy and this will help you add miles
  • Don’t neglect your glutes and hips as the miles increase, it will keep you injury free

3. Find that Inner Belief
Deb of Deb Runs

I think runners should believe in themselves and not let others’ opinions limit their own expectations of themselves. If you want to reach for the stars, go for it!

Believe in yourself, not in what others tell you.

When I mentioned to two of my friends (one man, one women – both of whom had been collegiate swimmers) that I was planning to run my first marathon, they both independently questioned if I knew what I was getting myself into, and reminded me that running a marathon would be very difficult.

I took it as, “You’re not athletic enough to run a marathon and don’t have it in you to train that hard.” I decided that not only would I run that first marathon (Marine Corps Marathon), but that I would qualify for Boston at it – I’d show them. Not only did I finish that first marathon with a smile on my face, but I BQ’d and went on to run 40 more marathons with 20 BQ’s, always remembering that those two friends didn’t think I could even complete one marathon.

The mental side of marathon training is so often overlooked as we focus on the mileage needed. But training your brain is for sure one of the fastest ways to make progress!!

Read more on mental training!

  • Dial in to a mantra that will help drive you through the many miles of training
  • Find people who do support you and can pick you up with doubt creeps in

4. Get a Coach and think about Race Day
Lauren of Breathe Deeply and Smile

In reaching my goal, I think the biggest thing was using a coach to see where I could tweak my plan and more importantly come up with an actual race day plan for the marathon. In my previous marathons I always had a really loose plan in my head, but never sat down and discussed a more detailed race plan ahead of time with anyone.

Another factor in Boston-Qualifying, which was maybe the biggest factor, was staying really relaxed during the race. I remember getting to mile 18 and being in shock of how relaxed and good I felt.Boston marathon finish lineEnjoying one of the many iconic photo ops from Boston!

  • Know that not every coach is right for you! Find the right running coach.
  • Commit to following the plan, not jumping around from idea to idea!
  • Do the strength training!!! And don’t work with a coach that isn’t making you do it.

5. Recover Right
Suz of The SuzLyfe

Learning when to work and when (and how) to recover. Those work days? Work hard, put your all into it, and be purposeful and focused on what you are doing. Otherwise? Relax.

Stressing only begets injury; overwork begets injury or at the very least slower times because you are too exhausted. Have a real recovery plan, and stick to it. Recovery starts the moment you start your cool down.

She couldn’t be more right! If we aren’t recovering between workouts then we don’t have the energy needed to push the pace on our next speed workout or to hit those long run miles.

  • After long runs take an epsom salt bath to relax tired muscles
  • After any run make sure you are refueling with protein
  • Eat a true marathoner runners diet – ENOUGH food, not just quick carbs.
  • Know when you’re pushing too far and need a complete rest day
  • Utilize active recovery days
  • Enjoy a massage gun at home!!

Still looking for more tips on running your best race?

Here are some of the very practical training tips that can help:

  • Speed Drills to improve form and power
  • How to pace your marathon
  • How to fuel your marathon
  • Best marathon training shoes

As someone whose career revolves around all things running, it’s true I sometimes feel like I’ve failed by having not BQ’ed. Especially around this time of year, hearing the stories of perseverance and overcoming incredible odds!!!

There’s still a chance that if I can put this knee surgery behind me and keep my health steady a Boston Qualifying race could be in my future. I’m 100% pushing for a large group of us to #BQby80 based on many of your social media responses.

Have you ever run Boston?

Is it a goal for you?

Other ways to connect with Amanda
Instagram Daily Fun: RunToTheFinish

Facebook Community Chatter: RunToTheFinishRunning_motivation_thumb

Get more running tips: Pinterest

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Posted by amanda Categories: Boston Marathon, running coach

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sarah says

    April 16, 2018 at 3:26 pm

    Great tips! Although I don’t think I will ever qualify I will say never say never as I never had a desire to run anything over a 10K but was going to do a half this year. Still may but it was suppose to be this month and with this weather we’ve had there is no way as I can count how many times I’ve run this year on one hand.
    So many amazing inspring women (and men) I wouldn’t consider myself a runner(although I run) but the race still inspires me.

  2. Lisa @ Mile by Mile says

    April 16, 2018 at 4:17 pm

    These are all such great tips! I was 6 minutes away from qualifying a few years ago, but now I’ll be entering the 35-39 age group so it will be a little easier. However, my injuries have really set me back! The key for me whenever I try to do another marathon is to not get hurt.

    • amanda says

      April 17, 2018 at 11:11 am

      I keep thinking I should just wait another 10 years for my time to drop :)

  3. Wendy says

    April 17, 2018 at 3:33 pm

    I always wanted to run Boston; in fact before I turned 55 and saw my BQ I figured I could do it! I didn’t count on the inevitable slow down of menopause and then a diagnosis of RA. I’d still love to run it but I don’t think I’ll be able to qualify, sadly.

    • amanda says

      April 18, 2018 at 8:24 am

      I really don’t know that it’s ever in the cards for me and most days I’m ok with that because a BQ isn’t what makes us runners :)

  4. Kathleen Napoli says

    April 22, 2018 at 1:26 pm

    I am just excited that the Boston Athletic association will be gifting me 5 minutes for my 40th birthday ;). I am going to put in the work and see if I can pull off a BQ next spring (I am thinking of going for it at the Kentucky Derby Marathon).

    • amanda says

      April 23, 2018 at 8:20 am

      Ha I love that! I’m thinking 40 might be my goal

  5. Pam says

    April 24, 2018 at 2:52 pm

    I’ve run Boston once and qualified twice. Hopefully my BQ time of -4:20 will earn me a spot for 2019. I was surprised by your numbers for charity runners. I thought is was minimum of $5000 and up to $10,000. Having a coach and a running group really made me believe I could qualify. As an older runner, there are definitely days when I am not my best, but working hard no matter what is the key to earning that coveted spot at Boston.

  6. Bethany says

    April 15, 2019 at 9:48 pm

    I am hoping to run the 2020 race because it is the DAY OF my 40th birthday!!! That means I almost get 5 minutes “free” because I will be in the 40-45 age group the day of the race!!! And seriously, what better way to spend your 40th birthday?!?? Currently holding a 1:30 cushion & hoping to improve on that (to 3-5 min under) at Erie in September!!!! (Been planning this for like 5 years since first seeing the date of the 2020 race!!!!)

    • amanda says

      April 16, 2019 at 1:38 pm

      best of luck that would most definitely be a great gift!!

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Amanda Brooks : Run Coach
A NEW PLAN DOESN’T FIX EVERYTHING. You might alr A NEW PLAN DOESN’T FIX EVERYTHING. You might already know what’s best for you, but aren’t doing it consistently. That’s the only way we really make changes.
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A PLAN can help, but I often don’t think that’s step one to making lasting change.
//
HABITS AND ROUTINES✴️
-Eliminate the need to make decisions.
-Which reduces brain fatigue.
-Which increases your chance of success.
//
TINY HABITS✴️
This is the smallest step you can take towards your goal. Often so small it seems insignificant, but is easy to make it a habit.
🌟
That leads you to another tiny habit, then another and suddenly it’s just your lifestyle.
👆👆👆
When people ask how I easily kept off 35lbs for over 15 years, while enjoying pizza, taking rest days and not obsessing about food.
👇👇👇👇
When people ask how I stay motivated to run year round and rarely race. Tiny habits.
//
Day one isn’t eat perfect or run for an hour.
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Day one IS drink a glass of water when I wake up. Put on my running clothes.
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Day 30 is then more like after I drink my glass of water, I do 5 push ups. After I put on my running clothes, I do a 5 minute warm up.
//
SLOW PROGRESS IS BETTER THAN NO PROGRESS, it builds momentum and is sustainable.
❔❔❔
Have you ever practiced creating tiny habits???
1️⃣ WORD TO DESCRIBE YOUR RUNNING THIS YEAR? M 1️⃣ WORD TO DESCRIBE YOUR RUNNING THIS YEAR?
Mine... satisfying.
😊
1900 miles blows away previous years.
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(swipe to see...because yes I love tracking.) Unfortunately I’m not positive what it was 2001-2007 because I wrote it on calendars.
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SATISFYING
🥰I needed the long miles early on to process my business being thrown for a loop. Bye bye book tour and partnerships.
😊I needed it after that to get away from the news and pretend I wasn’t spending all day alone. Then as my business shifted again to keep ideas flowing.
🌲I loved the time outside to think, get lost in a comedy podcast or audiobook. Otherwise I’m at home working!
🤩Without a single race, I still checked a big goal off my list of running an ultra distance (solo was very interesting!).
//
I’ve seen some posts that make it seem like we’re wrong for talking about what we achieved this year.
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It was a HARD FCKIN year for everyone, but guess what lots of years are. And not every year is great even without a pandemic.
//
For all the lows this year, I also worked my ass off to make some really good things happen. And I’m extra proud of that.
//
So let’s hear your word for fitness in 2020??
⬇️
Hard, easy, strong, powerful, consistent, cleansing, relaxing, nature, grace, grit, grind, triumph, building...
HAIR EMOJI POLL!!! Seriously hair...it’s a lot r HAIR EMOJI POLL!!! Seriously hair...it’s a lot right?! Figuring out what to do with it, color it don’t color it, keep it healthy, breakage from ponytails, long, short. And yet a good hair day😃 🔥 🌟
//
POLL:
🥰Love your hair
🤪Frustrated with your hair
1️⃣Natural curls
2️⃣Stick straight
👇👇👇
Curly friends: share your favorite tips!!
Long hair friends: what helps you keep it healthy?
👆👆👆
//
At 7 I could sit in my hair it was so long.
At 10 we started perms.
At 16 I had a full mane of hair I loved.
At 20 I learned I have naturally curly hair 😂after years of perms as a kid.
At 25 I was going blonde blonde blonde.
At 29 I began losing hair and it got so brittle I had to chop it off, due to the hormone issues.😭
At 35 my hair started to recover (as did my body), but never like that mane I loved as a teen.
At 39 I got my first curly haircut! I’m still figuring it out, but was amazed at how it looked.
//
I don’t wear much make up, but I do admit to really caring about my hair and it was a tough time when it felt so unhealthy.
//
I’m still struggling to figure out this new curly style 😂but keep hearing from other curly girls ya just gotta stick it out. So we’ll see.
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#curlygirlmethod #hairtalk
ARE YOU REALLY GOING TO RUN? Why don’t you just ARE YOU REALLY GOING TO RUN? Why don’t you just enjoy a day off? Don’t you feel guilty about the time apart?
//
Yes.
It makes me happy.
No, if I’m happy our time together is better.
👇👇👇
MY VIEW IS THIS...
❌If you aren’t working out because of food guilt
❌If you aren’t missing big moments because you must workout
✅If you enjoy it and it improves your day
✅THEN GO FORTH and don’t let anyone make you feel guilty for improving your mental and physical health.
//
❓Do you have guilt or get guilted about workouts for n holidays?❓
//
This has been my lifestyle so long that our families just know to expect that I’m gonna sweat. And of course, I’m lucky David wants this lifestyle too.
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BUTTTTT I remember those first trips to David’s family, where it really threw them for a loop. They still find it weird, but I sneak out before everyone gets up or have gotten them to do family things like the rec center.
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My best advice when asked has always been to try and calmly explain why it matters to you and then just go. They get over it or used to it.
🎁 🎄🕎
TAKE ANOTHER LITTLE PIZZA MY HEART 😂a reminder TAKE ANOTHER LITTLE PIZZA MY HEART 😂a reminder this holiday season that we all need to be loved differently...and pizza transcends all.
//
🍕Do you have a favorite local pizza place?🍕🍕
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Yes, I knead to know for when we can travel again.
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Here we fell in love in love with @saucyspizza and I wouldn’t be sad if I got it as a gift 😆
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#pizzamemes #eatlocal #denvercolorado #ilovepizza #lovememes #pizzagram #digiorno #papajohns #foodisfuel #longrun #womenwhoeat #carbsarelife
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