Each year 30,000 runners take part in the Boston Marathon. With 24,000 of those runners getting their place by running a Boston qualifying time (BQ), that means around 6,000 runners take on the Boston Marathon each year without necessarily having a BQ. So here’s how you can run the Boston Marathon if you haven’t run the qualifying time.
Got a Boston qualifying time? Registration into the 2026 Boston Marathon is open from 8-12 September 2025.
TL;DR ON RUNNING THE BOSTON MARATHON WITHOUT A BQ
There are around 6,000 places in the Boston Marathon each year for runners who haven’t run a Boston qualifying time. The most common ways to run Boston without a BQ are to run for a charity or to go via an international sports tour company, plus Abbott World Marathon Majors have a few bibs for runners to win.
Whether runners have a qualifying time or enter via charity or a tour company without having run a BQ, all runners need to be able to finish the marathon within the race’s cut off time of six hours.
RUN THE BOSTON MARATHON FOR CHARITY
Each year, the Boston Marathon raises millions of dollars for non-profit organisations (see the full list here – in 2025 there were 174 charities supported). Getting a charity bib is a great way to guarantee you a place in the Boston Marathon, and to raise money for important causes.
You apply for Boston Marathon charity places here.
The application process, pledges and costs vary for each charity but you will be required to explain why you want to run for that charity, plus give details on how much you pledge to raise and how you plan to raise that amount.
But there’s a lot you need to know before committing to a charity place.
Charity applications for the 2026 Boston Marathon open on Monday 29 September 2025. Applications may only remain open for a few weeks. Charities aim to confirm places to runners within one month of entries closing.
The race entry fee is $375 USD to run the Boston Marathon for charity – this fee does not count towards your fundraising. The fee must be paid by early January 2026.
Most charities ask for an admin fee of around $50-100 USD for applicants – this fee may count towards your fundraising, but it varies by charity.
The minimum fundraising requirement set by the B.A.A. is $5,000 USD per bib, but most charities ask fundraisers to commit to raising at least $10,000 USD. The average fundraising amount per bib is around $15,000.
Runners receive support throughout their training, they get a race top or singlet, and many charities put on private transport to the start line in Hopkinton.
International runners can apply but there are some different conditions – see below.
When you apply for your charity place, you will make a pledge of the minimum amount you intend to raise. You commit to raising the amount you have pledged and your credit card will be charged if you default on your agreement.
Want to run the Boston Marathon for charity? Find your charity and apply here!
CAN INTERNATIONAL RUNNERS GET A CHARITY PLACE FOR THE BOSTON MARATHON?
Yes, international runners can run the Boston Marathon for charity but there are some important extra details they need to know.
International runners must pay the required funds in advance upon acceptance to a charity team. This will vary between charities but is generally based on the average fundraising minimum, so will be around $15,000 USD.
There are no refunds on any prepaid donations or fundraising if the event is cancelled or you are unable to run, and there are no deferrals of your race place (but check with the charity if you need to defer because of pregnancy/postpartum).
CAN YOU RUN BOSTON MARATHON FOR CHARITY IF YOU ALREADY HAVE A BIB?
Yes, you can choose to run the Boston Marathon if you have secured your own race entry from running a BQ. They call it BYOB, or Bring Your Own Bib.
The application process is the same as above and you find your charity of choice via charityteams.com and apply directly with them. Just select the “Registered runner – I have a bib” option.
You will not be required to pay the race entry fee (as you will have already paid $260 USD) but will need to pay an admin fee ($50-100 USD but varies). The fundraising minimums are typically $3,000+ USD.
RUN THE BOSTON MARATHON WITH AN INTERNATIONAL SPORTS TOUR COMPANY
Many runners choose to run the Boston Marathon via an international sports tour company.
This can be a great option for runners as it is a package which includes race entry (without needing a qualifying time), hotel and all your race day logistics.
Runners typically have to book with a tour company in the country or region where they live. All recognised tour operators can be found here.
Costs vary depending on whether flights are included and whether you choose to have single or double occupancy (sharing with another runner or taking a non-runner with you – non-runners often have a slightly reduced rate) but it’s typical to pay £2,000-£4,000 for a four-night stay.
WHAT IS INCLUDED WITH AN INTERNATIONAL SPORTS TOUR ENTRY
Every tour company varies, but the following is typical of what you can expect
Race entry (without needing a qualifying time)
Hotel in a great downtown Boston location
Pre-race support and events
Optional shakeout runs
Private transport to the start line in Hopkinton and race logistics managed for you
Some companies offer return flights and transfers in Boston, but check with the tour organiser
WHAT ISN’T INCLUDED WITH AN INTERNATIONAL SPORTS TOUR ENTRY
Food and drink outside of what’s offered as part of the tour package
Many tour entries require you to arrange your own flights to and from Boston (but check with the organisers)
Additional nights accommodation (many companies allow you to pay extra to extend your trip in Boston).
RUN THE BOSTON MARATHON VIA ABBOTT WORLD MARATHON MAJORS
Abbott World Marathon Majors offers a number of places via race draws for runners who are already on their Six Star (and now Nine Star) journey. They offer this for all the Majors.
For the Boston Marathon, anyone who has not already run the Boston Marathon and who has 4, 5 or 6 stars are eligible to enter the draw. There are 150 places available at the 2026 Boston Marathon via the AbbottWMM run draw.
Runners must go to their Runner Portal on the AbbottWMM website to enter the draws when they are open.
ABBOTT WORLD MARATHON MAJORS GLOBAL RUN CLUB
Abbott also has the Road To The Majors series of challenges where runners can take part in challenges through their Global Run Club and gain extra entries into draws to win places in races.
Sign up to the Global Run Club, link your activity tracker, and look out for the latest challenges. Complete those challenges and you get additional chances to win entry into Major races, including Boston Marathon.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ENTER THE BOSTON MARATHON?
The entry fee for a time qualifier is $260 USD.
The entry fee for a charity place is $375 USD, which is separate from your fundraising target.
The entry fee via a sports tour company is typically included in the price of the package.
The entry fee via Abbott’s Road To The Majors or Race Draw is $260 USD.
WHAT ARE THE BOSTON MARATHON QUALIFYING TIMES?
These are the Boston Marathon qualifying times for the 2026 and 2027 races.
Runners must achieve these times in an official race which is measured by a recognised race authority. Just because you run your BQ does not guarantee you entry into the race and places are allocated fastest-first within each category. It’s common to need to run at least two minutes quicker than your BQ and sometimes more than five minutes faster. Here’s more on registering for the Boston Marathon.
FAQS ON RUNNING THE BOSTON MARATHON WITHOUT A BQ
Is the Boston Marathon a hard race?The Boston Marathon is a hilly race, though it is an overall net downhill course. The Newton Hills are four notorious hills between miles 16 and 21, culminating in Heartbreak Hill. We rank it as the second-hardest Marathon Major (after Sydney). Just make sure you prepare well and train to run hills on tired legs. Here’s a guide on how to train for the Boston Marathon.
What is the cut-off time for the Boston Marathon?For all these runners, the cut-off time is 5:30pm, or six hours after the final runners cross the start line.
Why is the Boston Marathon so popular?The Boston Marathon is the oldest and longest-running big city marathon. It was first run in 1897, inspired by the inaugural Olympic marathon of the year before, and the 130th running of the race will take place in 2026. The race takes place on Patriots’ Day and is celebrated throughout the city. It’s also famous for having qualifying times for most runners.
AUTHOR BIO
It took Mark a few years to achieve a Boston qualifying time. He ran the 2024 Boston Marathon.
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