If you’ve ever dreamed of running the Boston Marathon but couldn’t meet the strict qualifying standards, worry no more. On Tuesday morning, the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) announced plans to eliminate qualifying times for 2027 and 2028 in a bold move to make the iconic race more inclusive.
Introduced in 1970 to manage growing participation and maintain a high level of competition, qualifying times have long been a hallmark of the Boston Marathon. However, following a record number of applicants for the 2025 race, the B.A.A. acknowledged in a statement that they couldn’t pass up the opportunity to embrace a more open approach—and let’s face it, capitalize on demand.
A B.A.A. spokesperson shared the race’s ambitious plans to open the starting line in Hopkinton, Mass., to upwards of 80,000 runners by 2027 or 2028. The ultimate goal? Outshine their rivals to the south, the New York City Marathon, and become the first U.S. marathon to boast 100,000 finishers in a single year.
“We’ve been elitist for too long,” the B.A.A. said in a statement. “Every year, we receive thousands of emails and complaints from people asking why they can’t run the race—and quite frankly, we’re sick and tired of dealing with them.”
The Boston Marathon generates an estimated $200–$250 million annually in economic impact for Boston and its neighboring communities. With this shift, the B.A.A. expects that figure to double, if not triple.
Still, the race plans to maintain a touch of its competitive spirit. The B.A.A. announced that only the fastest 10,000 finishers (age-graded, of course) will receive the prestigious Boston Marathon jackets, ensuring at least some bragging rights for the speediest runners when they head back home.
April Fools.
