The enthusiasm and desire from athletes around the world aiming to participate in the Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America is unmatched. The record number of applicants indicates the growing trend of our sport and shows that athletes are continuously getting faster and faster. We look forward to welcoming 30,000 athletes in their pursuit of the finish line this April, and we are already planning for a memorable event experience from start to finish.
As the number of qualified entrants continues to balloon year over year, the BAA's hand was finally forced. The organization will lower qualifying standards for each gender and age group by five minutes for 2026. This decision underscores the unprecedented demand, with over 14,000 athletes expected to receive rejection letters for the upcoming race year. It highlights a shift in our understanding of competitive running and its evolving landscape.
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