Last week was one of celebration or disappointment for 36,406 marathoners who found out this week if they had run fast enough to qualify for the 2025 Boston Marathon, which takes place in April.
Runners can apply for the Boston Marathon if they hit time standards in their age categories, but simply running under the standards is not enough to secure a bib. If more qualified runners apply than there are spots, acceptance is given to the fastest runners. This year, applicants had to run at least six minutes and 51 seconds faster than their time standard to be offered a bib. Only 24,069 of the 36,406 qualified applicants received an acceptance email this month.
The 2025 race marked a new application record and, likely because of how fast people needed to run to get into the race, time standards for the 2026 event have been lowered for athletes aged 18 to 59. The window to run the standard to qualify for Boston 2026 opened Sept. 1 and will close next fall (exact dates to be announced).
If you were one of the make the cut for 2025, please don’t let it detract from the success of having run a Boston qualifying time.
And if you are among those who received good news this week — congratulations! You are less than seven months out from running the world’s most iconic marathon and it’s not too early to start planning your trip and training. Here is some advice from Saskatchewan athletes who have run the race.
Book accommodations early
“It’s never too early to reserve a hotel, especially if there is a cancellation policy. My mom booked five hotels the day my dad and I qualified (even months before we had confirmation that we had actually been accepted into the race). Obviously we narrowed it down to one hotel by the time we formalized our trip details.” — Amber Rollack (2023 Boston finisher)
Plan to spend some time in Boston if you can
“It is nice to arrive on the Friday before the marathon, do the expo on the Saturday, and then give yourself Sunday to chill, do a shakeout run, do some light sightseeing without spending too much time on the feet, and get any race gear ready for Monday’s marathon. Most people leave Boston the Tuesday after the marathon. If you have the time and the budget to stay an extra day or two the week after the marathon, it is nice to take in Boston itself, because it really is a great city.” — Amber Rollack (2023 Boston finisher)
You’ll have to start your training soon (but not too soon)
“A 16-week training cycle will start right around Christmas. Try to maintain some steady base training until that time, without getting too caught up doing marathon-specific workouts too soon. When I got the confirmation for Boston, I was so excited, I could have started marathon training that day (more than six months out). As a physical therapist, I can tell you that is the perfect set-up for an injury. Fight that temptation and wait to start that 16-week cycle (or, for some, a 20-week cycle) when the calendar says so. Training will start in the depths of winter, so pick whatever strategy you are most likely to be consistent with. If you are not a winter runner, you’ll need to find other options, such as treadmill and/or indoor track. But, the long runs can be hard on a treadmill or track, so you may need to embrace the winter to get those done. For me, it was the Saskatoon Field House for the faster tempo and interval efforts, and outside for pretty much everything else (unless there was a blizzard).” — Amber Rollack (2023 Boston finisher)
Prepare for the hills
“Boston is a hilly course. It’s not obvious at the start, other than the immediate downhill you enter into, but after that the inclines and declines are more gentle until about 27 km, when you enter Newton. However, you will notice those gentle rises and falls in your quads sooner than Newton. Once you hit Newton, the hills are much more obvious, culminating in Heartbreak Hill (a steep 800m uphill at kilometre 32). Therefore, you’ll need to incorporate hills into your training if you want to be able to tackle them as efficiently as possible. It is generally recommended to start the race more conservatively than you might want to, in order to save your legs for those Newton hills that you encounter from 27-33 km.” — Amber Rollack (2023 Boston finisher)
“The course can be a beast coming from flat Saskatchewan. The first 8km of the race is really downhill so try not to go out too fast or your legs will not tolerate hills on the back half of the course. Everyone refers to Heartbreak Hill as the most difficult hill but I found the hill at mile 16 to be the most challenging. Train with hills if possible!” — Robyn Luthi (three-time Boston finisher)
“The first time I ran Boston was 2000. It was my second marathon and I didn’t have a clue how to train. The downhill portions of the race killed my legs and I had blood blisters under my toenails. I ran it again two years later and worked on strengthening my legs for the downhills. I hate doing weights so I was very specific: Bulgarian squats, step ups and lunges. My legs were so much better the second time I ran. My advice is to work on leg strength for the downhills!” — Bette Boechler (2000, 2002 Boston finisher)
“Train running downhill as much as uphill. If you don’t, your quads will hate, hate, hate you. It is a big tip/trick to flourishing in Boston. — Heather Miller (2016, 2017, 2018 Boston finisher)
… and for the chills
“The energy I felt from the approximate 500,000 spectators along the way was exhilarating. The first time I ran it, the extent of the support along the way totally amazed me. I was so overwhelmed with all the cheering, I didn’t even realize I had run up Heartbreak Hill until it was done. And, then there is the last stretch (600m or so) running down Boylston Street. It’s incredibly loud and energized. It’s impossible to put into words. When the running gets hard, visualize the finishing stretch. Keep going. It will be amazing! The last 600 meters might bring tears to your eyes (it did for me).” — Rod Rollack (2011, 2023 Boston finisher)
Be ready to stay warm and fed before the race
“The race starts relatively late in the day. If you can train a few long runs on the Boston start time, it will help your body know what you need for fuel. The first year I did it I ran out of food and was hungry before I started. To stay warm at the start, take throw-away stuff; the clothes you toss get donated to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston. Bring a plastic bag in case the ground is wet or damp and you want to sit before the start.” — Heather Miller (2016, 2017, 2018 Boston finisher)
Make a plan for your spectators
“If someone is coming to watch, the last five miles are packed with spectators. Likely mile 20 or 21 is best for viewing. And have a plan at the end of the race to meet your support person at a letter (there are lettered corrals for family and friends to gather after the finish line. Maybe pick ‘Z’ because it has no one in it). Ensure your support person has what you need for after the race to help keep you warm. The big buildings block the sun and it can get cold after.” — Heather Miller (2016, 2017, 2018 Boston finisher)
“It’s a point-to-point race so it’s hard for spectators to see you from more than one spot. My cheer squad always watched near the finish at Bolyston Street.” — Robyn Luthi (three-time Boston finisher)
Take it easy at the start
“It’s very congested the first 8km and hard to maneuver around other participants so don’t get frustrated.” — Robyn Luthi (three-time Boston finisher)
“The start is slow and crowded. Take your time and find a good space to run in. You don’t want to start off too fast anyways. Enjoy this moment. Take it in. You have been working towards this for a long time. Run happy, and save the serious thoughts for later. As a marathoner, you know the serious stuff will come.” — Rod Rollack (2011, 2023 Boston finisher)
Don’t race the downhills
“After Heartbreak Hill there is a large downhill. Don’t blast down the hill as fast as you can go — save your quads, or you might pay for it later! It’s deceiving how the downhills can actually be harder on you than the ups!” — Cait Schindel (2024 Boston finisher)
Buy the swag
“Definitely purchase the finisher’s jacket and wear it. You will be surprised at how many people will acknowledge your accomplishment. My only regret is that I didn’t buy more merchandise. Running Boston is a huge accomplishment! Show it off!” — Rod Rollack (2011, 2023 Boston finisher)
Watch out for banana peels?
“I slipped on one about 10km in. I felt like a cartoon character (that only happens in cartoons)! Haha. Just joking. It was probably the only banana peel out there!” — Rod Rollack (2011, 2023 Boston finisher)
Be present for the experience
“Smile on the course 🙂 They take lots of pictures of you.”— Heather Miller (2016, 2017, 2018 Boston finisher)
“Soak it all in and feed off the energy of the fans, there are people cheering you on the entire way and it is such an amazing atmosphere!” — Cait Schindel (2024 Boston finisher)
