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-5:29!

Boston Qualifying Cut-off Time Prediction Contest


Predict the 2024 Boston Cut-off Time and win a great prize and bragging rights among all your running friends.


Contest Winners

Our winner of the random drawing for a $25 Gift Card is Randall B. from San Jose, Costa Rica


Prize Contest:

We had 3 contestants predict that the cut-off would be 5:30 - one second away from the actual cut-off of 5:29. In order to determine the three prize winners, we had to go to the tie-breaker.

1st Prize: Maocheng Z.
2nd Prize: Darko C.
3rd Prize: Curtis W.


Median Cut-off Time Prediction: 1:27 (actual cut-off - 5:29)
Median Prediction for number of registrants that didn't meet cut-off time: 1,295 (actual number - 11,039)
Only 5% predicted the cut-off would be 5:29 or faster.


2nd Chance Contest:

Once the B.A.A. released some registration information (record 33,000 registrations) we opened our 2nd Chance Contest. We had one contestant correctly predict the 5:29 cut-off for the 2024 Boston Marathon. 33 entrants were within 5 seconds of the actual cut-off.

Winner: Neil G.


Median Cut-off Time Prediction: 4:57 (actual: 5:29)
Median Prediction for number of registrants that didn't meet cut-off time: 7,038 (actual: 11,039)




2024 Boston Marathon Acceptance Stats

  • 33,058 applications received.
  • Cut-off time: 5:29 under qualifying standard
  • 22,019 applicants accepted.
  • 11,039 applicants not accepted.

  • 6,182 qualifiers met their qualifying time by 20:00 or more (19% of applicants)
  • 8,858 qualifiers met their qualifying time by between 10:00 and 19:59 (27% of applicants).
  • 6,979 qualifiers met their qualifying time by between 05:29 and 9:59 (21% of applicants).
  • 11,039 applicants met their qualifying time by between 0:00 and 5:28 (33% of applicants).

Thank you for everyone who participated in this year's contest.

Be sure to check out our sponsor LukeHumphreyRunning.com

Luke Humphrey Running

To help you out with your prediction, we've compiled some statistics on Boston qualifying:

  • The B.A.A. recently annouced that they received a record 33,000+ applications for the 2024 Boston Marathon. This was more than the previous record of 30,458 in 2019.
  • Historical cut-off times, entries accepted and the number of registrants who met qualifying time, but were not accepted from 2012-2023.
  • Data on the number of qualifiers for the 2024 race as well as links to previous years data.
  • Data on Boston Qualifying from 2014-2023.


  • Make Your Prediction

    Qualifying Cut-off Time
    (Time under current BQ)



    Tie Breaker
    (Number of qualifiers who registered, but did not meet cut-off time):


    First name:

    Last name:

    Email Address:



    Names and email address are only used to notify entrants of the winners. This information will not be shared with 3rd Parties other than awarding prizes. However, if you would like to receive our Newsletter, we have a sign-up form at the top our our website pages.





    Prize List

    1st Prize

    Luke Humphrey Running
    This prize includes a PDF copy of one of our Boston Specific Plans, which also includes access to the plan on Final Surge with tons of great features.

    Luke Humphrey Running

    Since 2006, LHR has been helping runners of all abilities reach their goals! To date, we have helped over 1000 people reach BQ times, and want to make your Boston the best possible!

    2nd Prize

    Visa Gift Card

    $50 USD Visa Online Gift Card

    3rd Prize

    Visa Gift Card

    $25 USD Visa Online Gift Card




    **On September 14th, we will conduct a random drawing of all valid entrants for a $25 Visa Gift Card.
    Congratulations to Randall B. from San Jose, Costa Rica for winning the random drawing!





    Contest Rules:

    • Entries will be accepted until registration starts for Boston 2024 (September 11th, 2024 at 10:00am ET).
    • Only one entry per person.
    • Winners will be determined using the following criteria:
      1. The winner will be the person who submits a valid entry that is closest to the qualifying cut-off time announced by the B.A.A.
      2. In the event of a tie(s), the order will be determined by the entrant that is closest to the number of qualifiers who registered for Boston 2024, but did not meet the cut-off time.
      3. If the B.A.A. does not release information on the number of qualifiers who did not meet the cut-off time or if a tie still exists, the order will be determined by the order of when the entry was received.
    • On September 14th, we will conduct a random drawing of all valid entrants for a $25 Visa Gift Card.
    • The results of the contest are at the sole discretion of FindMyMarathon.com.
    • Questions? Send us an Email

    • **9/16 Update - We've decided to add a Second Chance contest. This contest is open to anyone who submits a prediction after the initial contest ended on September 11th at 10am Eastern and before the cut-off time is announced by the B.A.A. There will be a single prize - a $25 Visa Gift Card. The winner and tie-breaker will be determined in the same manner as the initial contest. Only entries received after 10am on 9/11 will be eligible.