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Published by FindMyMarathon.com
June 17, 2025
Following the Boston Athletic Association's (B.A.A.) announcement of a new "downhill index" for 2027 Boston Marathon qualification, new data reveals the significant shift this policy could bring to the pool of eligible runners. The adjustments, designed to level the playing field for times achieved on courses with substantial net downhill, would have resulted in 1,507 fewer qualifying times if applied to the most recent editions of the affected races.
Out of 24 marathons identified as having a significant downhill profile that will incur a time penalty, a total of 3,604 runners qualified under the pre-adjusted standards. However, under the new downhill index, this number would drop to 2,097, representing a substantial decrease in qualifying performances from these specific events.
The severity of the impact varies depending on the degree of downhill:
Most Affected Races:
Two specific races in the "REVEL" series are projected to bear the brunt of these changes:
Together, the REVEL Mt. Charleston and REVEL Big Bear Marathons alone would account for over half of the total number of runners who would no longer qualify due to the new downhill index.
Implications for Future Qualifiers:
This detailed data provides a clear picture of the B.A.A.'s commitment to its revised qualifying standards. Runners who have historically relied on these faster, net-downhill courses to achieve their Boston Marathon dreams will need to adjust their strategies. For those aiming for the 2027 Boston Marathon and beyond, selecting a qualifying race will now involve a careful consideration of its elevation profile and the corresponding time adjustment. The new policy underscores the B.A.A.'s dedication to fostering a more level playing field, ensuring that a Boston Marathon qualifying time truly reflects a consistent and comparable athletic achievement.
| Race Name | Last Race # of BQs BQ% |
Adjusted # of BQs BQ% |
|---|---|---|
| Revel Big Cottonwood Marathon | 161 11.0% |
61 4.2% |
| Revel Mt. Charleston Marathon | 931 38.7% |
464 19.3% |
| Revel Big Bear Marathon | 607 33.2% |
318 17.4% |
| Runtastic Nebo Marathon | 47 16.0% |
19 6.5% |
| Huntsville Marathon | 34 13.1% |
15 5.8% |
| Hawaii Bird Conservation Marathon | 48 37.8% |
28 22.1% |
| Deseret News Marathon | 35 9.2% |
17 4.5% |
| Race Name | Last Race # of BQs BQ% |
Adjusted # of BQs BQ% |
|---|---|---|
| Sundance to Spearfish Marathon | 25 33.8% |
14 18.9% |
| Bears Ears Marathon | 9 11.8% |
4 5.3% |
| St. George Marathon | 321 8.2% |
242 6.2% |
| East Canyon Marathon | 12 12.5% |
7 7.3% |
| Las Vegas Marathon | 159 7.4% |
114 5.3% |
| Leading Ladies Marathon | 28 20.4% |
11 8.0% |
| Jack & Jill's Downhill Marathon (Washington) Saturday | 86 10.6% |
52 6.4% |
| Jack & Jill's Downhill Marathon (Washington) Sunday | 90 12.9% |
64 9.1% |
| Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon | 187 23.1% |
129 15.9% |
| Tunnel Light Marathon | 200 24.1% |
135 16.3% |
| Tunnel Vision Marathon | 191 28.1% |
115 16.9% |
| Tucson Marathon | 158 14.7% |
112 10.4% |
| Sun Marathon | 19 11.1% |
15 8.8% |
| Utah Valley Marathon **6/30/2025 - Announced change in 2026 course to eliminate time penalty. | 145 11.0% |
106 8.0% |
| Super Marathon | 30 7.8% |
15 3.9% |
| Cascade Express Marathon | 51 9.7% |
27 5.1% |
| Pocatello Marathon | 30 18.1% |
13 7.8% |
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