For most marathon runners, the Boston Marathon is the Holy Grail. Unlike other races, you can't just sign up, you have to be fast enough to qualify, and even then you are not guaranteed one of the 30,000 precious bib numbers. Whether you were inspired by the runners on this Patriot's Day, are preparing for the spring marathon, or are hoping to qualify for the 2024 race, you may be wondering how fast you need to run to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

Unfortunately, the times are getting faster every year, so even if you set a qualifying time, you may not actually get a bib; for the 2019 race, runners had to be at least 4:52 faster than their qualifying time.

Qualifying for the 2024 race, scheduled for April 15, 2024, will begin on September 1, 2022. Registration details will be announced after the 2023 Boston Marathon on April 17.

Learn how to track runners at this weekend's Boston Marathon and how to watch the 2023 Boston Marathon from anywhere in the world.

Qualifying times are listed below. The times below are based on the age of the athletes on the date of the marathon, so if you are aiming for next year's race, April 15, 2024, remember your birthday.

Here's the not-so-good news: Due to a limited number of numbers, even if you finish with a qualifying time, you are not guaranteed a spot in the race. As the organizers of the Boston Marathon explain: "If the total number of applications exceeds the slots allotted to eligible athletes, the fastest applicants in their age and gender groups will be accepted."

The Boston Marathon organizers have also announced that the race will be open to all athletes in the same age group.

Registration for the Boston Marathon typically takes place over a two-week period, with the fastest runners usually able to register during the first week of early September. Runners who beat their qualifying time by at least 20 minutes are registered first, followed by runners who were 10 minutes faster, then runners who were 5 minutes faster.

If space is available, all runners who have met their qualifying times will be registered on the following Monday.

Your qualifying time will be your chip time and you must run the race after September 1, 2023.

Want to improve your speed and compete in next year's race? Here are 7 mistakes you are probably making if you are trying to run faster.