Boston Marathon

“Qualifying the Boston Marathon is one of the most sought after (not to mention difficult)
goals for thousands of serious runners. But are the standards fair? And does everyone who
lines up for the race really qualify?” -Mens Fitness.

Every third Monday in April, Hopkinton, Massachasuttes , starves for for an energy that’s half as big as the olympcs.
Twenty-five thousand runners crowd in numbered corrals at the start of the boston marath. These course will soon
challenge their lungs and quads on the hilly course. They eye each other knowing what it took to get there: Years of
training, heart, and long 20 mile runs through winter. Boston is the only marathon (for nonelites) that requires a very
had to meet qualifying standard. Some argue that women have it easier than men, and other’s think the yonger age
groups have the advantage. According to Jim fortner only 10.4 percent of marathoners qualify for Boston. Out of
those people women age 45 to 49 who qualifyis 14.5 percent. The number of men age 65 to 69 who qualify is 17
percent, while only 7.9 percent of men and women age 34 and younger qualify. Just because you might not have
qualified for the Boston Marathon, Boston has a lot of other races that you may participate in. Their impressive
program has raised over $85 million for charaties all over the U.S. Boston races and field sizes have increased by 95
percent while other marathons all over the U.S have only increased by 10%, according to Running USA. During that
period, the average marathonn finishes slowed by 20 minutes, and that should mean fewer Boston qualifiers. It’s
true, Boston isthe toughest marathon in the U.S but that shouldn’t stop you from training for it. With just a little
motivation, blood, sweat, and tears, you will be standing behind the starting ready to take off.

Want to get in?

Marathons with most Boston Qualifiers

Aside from Boston, Whose very strict qualifying times
means it has the fastest finishers, these marathons
produced the highest percentage of quaifiers for the
years 2006 to 2008. Check out the list below!

Bay State, Lowell, Mass. (34.1%). Oct 18
Mohawk-Hudson River, Albany, N.Y. (33.4%), Oct.11
Inland Trail, Elyria, Oh. (29.7%), Nov.1
Last Chance for Boston, Columbus,Oh. (27.8%), Feb.14
California International, Sacramento (26.6%), Dec.6
Tucson (26.2%), Dec. 13

The Boston Marathon opens for the
first time. Only fifteen people ran the
race and men were the only ones able
to run it.

The average person
trains for one year
before running the
Boston Marathon. If
you’re running for the
first time, try training
2 years before the race
takes place.