Count back from race day by the length of your training plan. Most marathon training plans run 12 to 20 weeks, with 18 weeks the most commonly published length for a first marathon (Hal Higdon's Novice and Intermediate plans both run 18 weeks). Pick your Major and plan length above and this tool counts back to the exact start date.
It depends on your base fitness. 12 weeks suits runners who already hold solid weekly mileage, 16 to 18 weeks is the standard range most first-timers use, and 20 weeks gives beginners extra weeks to build a base before the harder training blocks start.
It depends on the Major and how far out your plan starts. Ballot and lottery results usually land months ahead of an 18-week start date since draws happen soon after the ballot closes, but a longer plan against a Major whose draw sits close to race day can start before the result is known. This tool flags it either way for the Major and plan length you pick.
The fitness you build still counts. A ballot miss usually leaves the charity or good-for-age route open on the same race, or another Major's ballot on a different date, so base training and long runs are rarely wasted. Marathon Ballot's alerts also cover every result date automatically if you would rather not track it by hand.
No. Boston is the only Abbott World Marathon Major that is qualifier-only, there is no ballot or lottery. You still do not know for certain you are in the moment you register, since a qualifying time only gets you an application and the B.A.A. can apply a rolling cutoff faster than the published standard, announced on a fixed date after registration closes.
18 weeks is the most widely published default and works for most runners moving from a regular running habit into marathon-specific training. Pick 12 weeks if you are already running marathon-adjacent mileage, and 20 weeks if you are building up from a lower base or training for your first marathon.