Boston Marathon Acceptance Rate by the Numbers
The cutoff is easier to understand once you see the raw application numbers behind it.
The 2026 example
For the 2026 race, about 33,000 runners met a qualifying standard and applied. Roughly 24,000 were accepted, and around 8,900 were turned away by the 4:34 cutoff. That is an acceptance rate of about three in four qualified applicants, and it means meeting the standard was far from a guarantee.
Why the rate moves
When more fast runners apply, the cutoff rises and the acceptance rate among qualifiers falls. When fewer apply, as after a disruption, everyone can get in. The tightened 2026 standards reduced the applicant pool, which is part of why the 2026 cutoff fell from 2025's 6:51.
See where your buffer would have landed each year in the predictor.
Frequently asked questions
What share of Boston qualifiers actually get in?
It varies. For 2026, roughly three in four qualified applicants were accepted and about 8,900 were turned away.
How many people apply to Boston?
For 2026, about 33,000 qualified applicants for roughly 24,000 qualifier places.