The 2025 Boston Marathon had the strictest cutoff time in history, with competitors needing to run 6 minutes, 51 seconds faster than the qualifying time for their age group to earn a bib. Among the 25,170 accepted qualifiers, the Chicago Marathon produced the most entrants, followed by Boston and other World Marathon Majors. The California International Marathon and the REVEL Race Series also featured prominently in producing qualifying times. The REVEL races, known for their fast downhill courses, have become popular for runners chasing personal bests, despite the toll it takes on their quads.
There is a debate surrounding downhill races like REVEL and their place in the world of competitive amateur running, as they continue to produce a significant number of Boston Marathon qualifiers. The Boston Athletic Association (BAA) is considering the impact of downhill courses on qualification standards but is in the preliminary stages of any potential policy changes. Runners are constantly seeking ways to qualify, including leveraging the advantages of downhill courses like those offered by the REVEL Race Series.
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