Boston Marathon
How to get in, and where to stay
Boston Marathon is run in Boston in April. There is no public ballot, so entry runs through a qualifying time. There are 3 realistic ways in, 2 of which do not involve paying an operator.
Boston is the oldest annual marathon in the world and the only Major where the primary route in is a qualifying time rather than a ballot. That makes it the most prestigious and the most misunderstood: running a qualifying time does not guarantee a place, because entry is filled fastest-first until the field is full.
How to get into the Boston Marathon
The catch nobody tells you
The qualifying standard is a filter, not a ticket. When more qualifiers apply than there are places, entry is cut off by a margin below the standard, so runners who hit their time exactly are often still rejected. Aim to beat your standard by a clear margin rather than scrape it.
The ballot
There is no public ballot. Registration normally opens in September for the following April, and qualifying times must be run at a certified race within the qualifying window.
Entry fee: Entry is charged separately for domestic and international runners.
Qualifying time
QualificationRun a certified marathon inside your age and gender standard within the qualifying window, then register. Meeting the standard makes you eligible, not accepted.
Charity place
FundraisingThe Boston Athletic Association runs an official charity programme with a fundraising commitment. Places open earlier than most runners expect.
Cost: A substantial fundraising minimum, typically in the thousands of dollars.
Tour operator package
PaidTour operators hold a small allocation of guaranteed entries that are sold with accommodation as a package. It is the only route that does not depend on luck or a qualifying time, and it is why most rejected ballot applicants end up here.
What you are actually running
A point-to-point route from rural Hopkinton into central Boston. It drops sharply in the first miles, which wrecks quadriceps, then climbs through the Newton hills to Heartbreak Hill at around mile 20.
Personal best potential
Deceptive. The net elevation loss looks fast, but the early descent and the Newton hills late punish anyone who starts hard. It is not a reliable personal-best course.
Route at a glance
- Start
- Hopkinton
- Finish
- Boylston Street, Copley Square
- Terrain
- Rolling road with a net downhill and significant descent early.
On the way
- Hopkinton start
- Wellesley College scream tunnel
- Newton hills
- Heartbreak Hill
- Boylston Street finish
Weather and atmosphere
Race day weather
April in New England is unpredictable. It can be near freezing, warm enough to cause problems, or wet and windy. Pack for all three.
Crowds and support
Among the best in world marathoning. Patriots Day is a public holiday in Massachusetts, so the entire route is lined, and the Wellesley scream tunnel is audible long before you reach it.
Where to stay
Book a hotel near the Boston Marathon start
On race morning the only thing that matters is how far you are from the start. These are the areas that make the morning simple, with live rates on your dates.
Back Bay
At the finish
At the finish and close to the expo, and walkable to the race-morning bus loading on Boston Common.
Downtown and Beacon Hill
Walk to bus loading
Short walk to the buses and well placed for the rest of the city.
Cambridge
Subway to both
Better value across the river, with a straightforward subway ride in.
Getting there
Boston Logan is close to the centre. Race morning means buses out to Hopkinton very early, so staying near the common where buses load matters more than staying near the finish.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a ballot for the Boston Marathon?
No. Boston is the only World Marathon Major without a public ballot. The main route in is a qualifying time, with charity places and operator packages as the alternatives.
Does a qualifying time guarantee entry to Boston?
No. Qualifying makes you eligible to register. When the race is oversubscribed, entry is cut off at a margin faster than the published standard, so runners who only just qualify are often rejected.
Is Boston a fast course?
Not reliably. It loses elevation overall, but the steep early descent damages your legs and the Newton hills arrive at mile 20 when you can least afford them.
Where should I stay for the Boston Marathon?
Back Bay is the classic choice because it sits at the finish and near the expo. What matters more on race morning is being able to walk to the buses on Boston Common.
Other World Marathon Majors
Ballot windows and entry rules change every year. Always confirm the current details with the official race before booking travel.