The Fastest Boston Marathon Cutoffs Ever
The Boston cutoff has climbed to record territory in the 2020s. The largest buffers ever required came in years when marathon participation surged and qualifying times got faster across the board.
The biggest cutoffs
The 2025 race demanded 6:51 under the standard, the largest ordinary cutoff on record. The 2021 race required 7:47, but that was a special case: the field was cut to 20,000 for COVID-19, so it is not comparable to a normal year. The 2024 cutoff was 5:29, and 2019 was 4:52.
Why buffers keep growing
More people are running marathons, more of them are running fast, and a few very fast downhill courses feed the qualifier pool. The BAA tightened standards by 5 minutes for 2020 and again for under-60 runners for 2026 partly in response, which resets the buffer but does not end the pressure.
See the full year-by-year history on the blog and check your buffer with the predictor.
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest Boston cutoff ever?
In a normal year, 6:51 for the 2025 race. The 2021 race required 7:47, but only because the field was reduced to 20,000 for COVID-19.
Why do cutoffs keep rising?
More marathon finishers, faster times, and fast downhill qualifying courses all feed a larger pool of fast applicants.