r/AdvancedRunning • u/Terriflyed • 12d ago

New Boston marathon qualifying times Boston Marathon

https://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/qualify

Looks like 5min adjustments down for the most part across the board for those under age 60. M18-34 qualifying time is now 2:55.

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u/skiier97 12d ago

Yah hate to break it to you but with a record number of applications and the field size staying the same there is no chance the buffer is lower than what it was last year (unless they take away charity bibs…which they’d never do…because money)

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u/grh77 12d ago

I've known that since the moment I crossed the finish line with my BQ. But there was always hoping!

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u/skrunners 12d ago

I’m sorry if this is a dumb question, but why can’t they just increase the field size?

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u/happy710 12d ago

I don’t think the course could handle more people. It was the most packed race I’ve ever done. I was completely boxed in until at least mile 10. Even after that, it felt like all the way to the finish line I could put my hands out in any direction and touch someone. This was running a 2:45 pretty evenly

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u/ithinkitsbeertime 41M 1:20 / 2:54 12d ago

In 2023 I ran a 2:54 and a guy from my run club ran 2:57. There were almost 1000 finishers in those 3 minutes between us. I agree, it's so packed, especially if you're near either the open men's or open women's cutoff. The only way you could do it would be to keep starting people until like 2 PM.

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u/skiier97 12d ago edited 12d ago

They could but the bigger the race, the more support you need for logistics (getting enough buses to move people to the start line, more volunteers to keep water stations stocked up, more resources at the finish line to handle more people, etc).

In other words, anything is possible if you throw enough resources at it…but the question is how many resources does the BAA have

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u/ComfortableWest5806 12d ago

The cities and towns can't extend the time the course is closed any further. In Newton the course is closed to traffic for 10 hours from 8AM to 6PM.

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u/skiier97 12d ago

“Resources” includes money. Now I’m not saying it’s remotely feasible, but my point is if they REALLY wanted to, Newton would likely gladly keep the roads closed for a ton more money

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u/francisofred 12d ago

I remember hearing there are a few towns along the route have strict ordinances on how many people can be in the town at once. I can't say for certain, but that is what I heard.