By Tiffany Williams –
The Boston Athletic Association has started sending out acceptance emails for the 130th Boston Marathon, set for Marathon Monday, April 20, 2026.
Runners who beat their qualifying standard by at least four minutes and 34 seconds secured a coveted bib this year. That “cut-off” left 8,887 qualifiers on the outside looking in.
Out of 33,249 applications, 24,362 have been accepted so far, with final verifications underway. The field is capped at 30,000, with the remaining spots filled by charity runners, elite professionals, and para athletes.
“The sport of marathoning is gaining momentum worldwide,” said B.A.A. CEO Jack Fleming. “We recognize the dedication it takes to qualify and earn a spot on the starting line for the Boston Marathon. Unfortunately, we can’t accept everyone, but we applaud all who train and aspire to be part of Boston.”
This year’s numbers highlight Boston’s global draw: athletes from all 50 states, Washington D.C., U.S. territories, and 120 countries earned acceptance. The field includes 13,823 men, 10,429 women, and 110 non-binary runners. The youngest runner is 18; the oldest, 83.
Some quick stats:
- 5,397 runners beat their standard by at least 20 minutes.
- Nearly 11,000 will be racing Boston for the first time.
- 719 made it in by running 10 or more consecutive Boston Marathons.
- The top feeder races were last year’s Boston Marathon (2,981 qualifiers) and the 2024 Chicago, Berlin, New York City, and California International Marathons.
Boston remains a juggernaut — the 2024 race alone pumped $509 million into the local economy.
The 130th running will again showcase not just endurance but the stubborn prestige of earning a bib on Boylston Street.