Boston Changes the Rules! New Qualifying Standards Stir Controversy | IDKR Podcast | Episode 167 Artwork

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Boston Changes the Rules! New Qualifying Standards Stir Controversy | IDKR Podcast | Episode 167

July 20, 2025 • Lewis Hayden and Mitch Brouwer • Season 4 • Episode 167

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Boston just shook the running world.

In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running podcast, Louis and Mitch dive deep into the Boston Marathon’s newly announced qualifying changes for 2027 — specifically targeting net downhill races like those in the REVEL series. From time penalties to outright disqualifications, these rule updates have serious implications for runners on the edge of qualifying.

We unpack:

What the new qualifying tiers mean (5- and 10-minute penalties)

Why races like REVEL Big Bear, Mount Charleston, and CIM are directly impacted

Whether this is a fair move — or just plain petty

How downhill racing really affects performance

Lewis’s own 100K plan to requalify for Western States

Is Boston still worth chasing? Are these changes targeting the very runners that keep the sport alive? Let us know what you think in the comments.

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