What Happens If You Miss the Boston Cutoff?
If you applied with a qualifying time but were rejected by the cutoff, you are not entered and you do not roll over automatically. You have a few options.
Your options
- Requalify with a bigger buffer. Run another certified marathon inside the next window and beat the standard by more. This is the most direct path.
- Age up. If you cross into an older age group by next race day, the standard gets more generous, which effectively grows your buffer.
- Run for a charity. Charity and sponsor entries do not require a qualifying time, though they involve a fundraising commitment.
Plan the buffer, not just the BQ
The lesson most rejected runners take away is to stop aiming at the standard and start aiming at the standard minus a real buffer. Use the predictor to see how much margin recent cutoffs would have demanded.
Frequently asked questions
Does a rejected BQ roll over to next year?
No. You must apply again, with a time inside the new qualifying window. There is no automatic rollover.
Can I still run Boston without a fast enough BQ?
Yes, through a charity or sponsor entry, which does not require a qualifying time but usually involves fundraising.