Boston Qualifying Time — Men Ages 60–64
Men who qualify for Boston in the 60–64 age group are achieving something remarkable. A 3:50 marathon at this age — when adjusted for age — represents genuine mastery of endurance running. The field in this group at Boston is impressive; these are not casual qualifiers.
Quick answer: The 2026 BQ standard for Men ages 60–64 is 3:50:00. This requires an RPI of 39.9 — equivalent to 24:09 5K fitness. Training paces: easy 9:55/mi, threshold 7:48/mi, interval 6:49/mi. WMA age grade: 65.7%.
2026 BQ Standard
3:50:00
Men ages 60–64
RPI
39.9
WMA Grade
65.7%
Equiv 5K
24:09
Training paces for a 3:50:00 BQ
All zones computed from RPI 39.9 via the Daniels/Gilbert oxygen cost formula.
Calculated from Daniels/Gilbert oxygen cost equations. Easy pace means “this pace or slower.”
Equivalent race fitness
Predicted equivalent times at other distances for an athlete with RPI 39.9. Assumes comparable distance-specific training.
5K
24:09
7:46/mi
10K
50:07
8:04/mi
Half Marathon
1:51:07
8:29/mi
Training approach for a 3:50:00 BQ
For men 60–64, recovery management is the central training discipline. The aerobic adaptation response remains — threshold work still produces improvement. But recovery between hard efforts now takes 6–8 days, not 4–5. Long runs remain the highest-leverage training session; 18–20 miles at easy pace provides the endurance foundation that marathon pace depends on. Many men in this group run 4 days per week with one long run, one threshold session, and two easy runs.
Calculate your current training paces
Enter your current race time to see your training zones and how close you are to BQ-level fitness.
Training Pace Calculator
About the BQ cutoff
Running a BQ time opens the registration window — it does not guarantee entry. BAA applies a cutoff buffer each year based on how many runners qualify relative to available field spots. For the most accurate and up-to-date cutoff information, refer to the official BAA registration page at baa.org during the registration window for your target race year.
BQ paces are calculated — your training data makes them personal
The Daniels/Gilbert formula gives the training zones for 3:50:00 fitness. StrideIQ tracks whether your specific training is actually building toward that standard — which threshold sessions produce your best adaptation, how quickly you recover between hard efforts, and when your fitness is peaking. Population formulas start the conversation. Your training data finishes it.
Common questions
What training paces does a 3:50:00 BQ for men 60–64 require?
For a 3:50:00 marathon BQ (RPI 39.9): Easy 9:55/mi, Marathon 8:16/mi, Threshold 7:48/mi, Interval 6:49/mi. At age 62, easy pace (9:55/mi) should feel genuinely easy — if it requires effort to hold, you are still recovering from a previous session. Your marathon training pace (8:16/mi) should feel controlled but focused.
What WMA age grade is a 3:50 marathon for men 60–64?
A 3:50:00 marathon at age 62 scores 65.7% WMA age-graded. This reflects the fact that the BQ standards are set to require competitive masters-level fitness at every age group. A 67–68% age grade represents running consistently in the top third of masters marathon fields.
What 10K equivalent does 3:50:00 marathon BQ fitness represent?
A 3:50:00 marathon (RPI 39.9) is equivalent to 50:07 10K fitness. The 10K equivalency for marathon performance is useful for benchmarking aerobic capacity, though marathon-specific endurance (long runs, glycogen economy) is required to actually run the equivalent marathon time.
Other BQ age groups
BQ standards: Boston Athletic Association 2026 (verified 2026-02-26). Training paces: Daniels/Gilbert oxygen cost equations (1979). WMA age-grading: Alan Jones 2025 standards.