Published by FindMyMarathon.com
June 16, 2025
Updated: September 2, 2025
Aspiring Boston Marathoners, take note! The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) has announced significant changes to its qualifying procedures, particularly impacting races with substantial net-downhill elevation. These adjustments, set to take effect for the 2027 Boston Marathon qualifying window, aim to ensure a more level playing field for all applicants.
To address this disparity, the B.A.A. will implement a new "downhill results indexing" system. Starting with registration for the 2027 Boston Marathon, qualifying times from these courses will incur a time adjustment (or 'index') upon submission.
“As the sport of marathoning has increased in popularity and the demand for a place in the Boston Marathon has reached record levels, the B.A.A. has continued to analyze race results from events across the world. The new downhill course adjustments are the next step in our evolving Boston Marathon registration process. We wanted to give athletes and events ample time to prepare in advance of the 2027 Boston Marathon registration period. We know athletes plan their qualifying marathons well in advance.” - Jack Fleming, B.A.A. President and Chief Executive Officer
The B.A.A. defines "net-downhill" as the difference in elevation between a race's start and finish points. Here's how the new indexing will work:
These time indexes will be in place for at least the next two years, with the B.A.A. reserving the right to make further adjustments if necessary.
Runners considering a Boston Marathon qualifying attempt should be aware that several popular downhill courses will be impacted by these new rules.
| Race Name | Net Downhill (ft) |
|---|---|
| Sundance to Spearfish Marathon | 2,972 |
| St. George Marathon | 2,558 |
| East Canyon Marathon | 2,330 |
| Leading Ladies Marathon | 2,261 |
| Jack & Jill's Downhill Marathon (Washington) | 2,038 |
| Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon | 1,972 |
| Tunnel Light Marathon | 1,972 |
| Tunnel Vision Marathon | 1,972 |
| Bears Ears Marathon | 1,699 |
| Sun Marathon | 1,660 |
| Utah Valley Marathon **6/30/2025 - Announced change in 2026 course to eliminate time penalty. | 1,614 |
| Super Marathon **12/10/2025 - Announced change in 2026 course to eliminate time penalty. | 1,578 |
| Cascade Express Marathon **12/10/2025 - Announced change in 2026 course to eliminate time penalty. | 1,578 |
| Tucson Marathon **8/15/2025 - Announced change in 2025 course to eliminate time penalty. | 1,549 |
| Pocatello Marathon | 1,519 |
| Race Name | Net Downhill (ft) |
|---|---|
| Revel Big Cottonwood Marathon | 5,259 |
| Las Vegas Marathon | 5,245 |
| Revel Mt. Charleston Marathon | 5,101 |
| Revel Big Bear Marathon | 5,072 |
| Runtastic Nebo Marathon | 4,560 |
| Huntsville Marathon | 3,741 |
| Hawaii Bird Conservation Marathon | 3,653 |
| Deseret News Marathon | 3,178 |
These changes represent a significant shift in the Boston Marathon qualifying landscape. Athletes planning to qualify for the 2027 Boston Marathon and beyond should carefully review these new procedures and choose their qualifying races accordingly.
For those eyeing the 2027 Boston Marathon, the qualifying window is scheduled to open on Saturday, September 13, 2025. This date falls just one day after registration for the 2026 event closes, giving athletes ample time to plan. The window will remain open through the 2027 Boston Marathon Registration Week in September 2026, with precise dates to be announced at a later time.
Q: When do the new downhill rules take effect?
A: These changes apply to marathons used to qualify for the 2027 Boston Marathon and will be in effect starting with the qualifying window that opens on September 13, 2025.
Q: What is an example of how the adjustment works?
A: For example, if you are a 45-year-old female, your Boston qualifying time is currently 3:45. However, if you run a marathon in the 5-minute adjustment category (net-elevation between 1,500 and 2,999 feet) like the St. George Marathon, you will need to subtract 5 minutes from your qualifying time. You will need to run 3:40 in order to achieve a Boston qualifying time.
If you run a marathon in the 10-minute adjustment category, you will need to run a 3:35 in order to qualify.
Q: How can I find Boston-qualifying races with minimal or no elevation drop?
A: Use the Advanced Search filters on FindMyMarathon.com to explore downhill, flat and other marathon courses that are ideal for Boston qualification.
Each race's detail page has the course elevation chart with elevation data.
Q: Can I still qualify on a downhill course?
A: Yes — as long as the net downhill is under 6,000 feet, the course remains valid for Boston qualification. However, your submitted time will be adjusted based on the rules above.
Q: Are any races entirely disqualified under the new rule?
A: As of now, no U.S. or Canadian marathons on certified courses exceed the 6,000 ft drop limit, so none are disqualified, but it's important to check course certification and net elevation before selecting a race.
Related Articles
New Boston Marathon Downhill Index: A Closer Look at the Impact on Qualifiers An in-depth look at B.A.A.'s qualifying policy update and data on how the marathons affected by the change would be impacted.
Downhill Marathons that are not Affected by Boston's Downhill Index Penalties Discover which downhill marathons are not impacted by Boston's new Downhill Index penalties.
