Hello,
I am in the process of training for a marathon and in the next year would like to qualify for Boston. I was wondering what realistic 10k speed is needed to reach the 3h 5min qualifying standard. My initial thought is that I need to get down to a 40 minute 10k. At the moment I am around 45-46 minutes with no speed training.
What is everyone's thought on this? What kind of 10k times are you and similar Boston qualifiers running?
Thank you for your input,
MC
You'll likely need a 3:03 or even a 3:02 to actually get into the race. But to just say you qualified, yes, 3:05.
So yeah, I think 40 minute 10k for a 3:05. Probably sub-39 would get you closer to hitting the qualifying times that might get you in.
Thank you for your input and confirming.
Last year I ran a PR Marathon in 3:04:16. Two weeks before that I ran a PR 10k in 39:37.
So yes 40:00 10k sounds right for a 3:05:00 Marathon. However I am slightly better for distance than I am for speed so maybe aim for a little under 40.
Galen Rupp has run 26:44 10K and has also got his BQ, so shoot for that to be safe.
Thank you to those who gave constructive answers. I'll run a marathon in April then afterwards focus on getting my 10k time under 40 before trying a Boston qualifier.
Years back when I first hit a qualifying time I hit 39-low in the spring, 1:26 in the summer, then 3:03 in the fall. Ended up running 1:20 and 2:54 that same fall. The 3:03 came super early at a last chance BQ. Higher mileage and cooler weather led to some big improvements.
I've improved since but I would have to say sub-40 and 1:25-26ish put you in a position to run close to 3 hours. I went out in 1:30-flat in the 3:03 race.
When I run 2.58 my 10k was just under 39.
I ran 38:12 two weeks before a 2:58 marathon, both all out. So I'd say if not sub 39, you have to be an endurance monster. Daniels' calculator (very ambitious in terms of the conversion shorter distances to marathon) equates a 3:02 marathon with a 39:27 10k.