FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2020 Boston Marathon to Launch Competitive Para Athletic Division
New Division a First-of-its-Kind Offering in Major Marathon Events
BOSTON, MA (10-April) - With over four decades of experience hosting a
diversity of athletes, the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) will become
the first major marathon to include competitive divisions for classified
ambulatory Para athletes in 2020. This announcement marks the B.A.A.'s
organizational transition from "Athletes with Disabilities" to "Para
Athletic Divisions" and "Adaptive Programs."
As one of the world's most recognized sporting events, the Boston Marathon
will be a platform that showcases the athleticism, achievements, and
competition of aspiring and elite Para athletes.
"The incorporation of Para Athletic Divisions in the Boston Marathon will
allow us to help sport set a new standard for the way Para athletes are
recognized in elite marathon competitions," said Tom Grilk, CEO, B.A.A. "We
are adding the Para Athletic Divisions to our already-inclusive programs
for athletes with eligible impairments, as we aspire to provide
participatory and competitive opportunities for all athletes."
"In recent years, we have witnessed the strength of the Para athletic
community within the Boston Marathon," said Marla Runyan, Manager of Para
Athletics and Adaptive Programs, B.A.A. "The new division will recognize
and elevate their achievements and pave the way for more athletes to
compete at the highest levels of the Boston Marathon."
To compete in the 2020 Boston Marathon Para Athletics Division, athletes
must hold the appropriate national or international Para athletics
classification and meet research-based qualifying standards for their
respective age, gender, and sport class.
The following classification categories will be recognized for ambulatory
Para athletes in the 2020 Boston Marathon:
- Vision impairment (T11, T12, T13)
- Lower limb impairment (prostheses T61 - T64)
- Upper limb impairment (T45/T46)
Additionally, high performance standards have been established within each
classification category to further recognize athletic achievement. Para
athletes who have met their respective high-performance standard will be
considered for an invitational entry into the Boston Marathon.
Awards and prize money will be awarded to the top 3 male and female
finishers within each respective classification category. The total Prize
Purse for the Para Athletics Divisions for ambulatory athletes in the 2020
Boston Marathon is $16,500. This prize money is in addition to the $125,000
prize purse for the Boston Marathon Wheelchair division. In advance of the
official launch of the Para Athletics Division, we are excited to welcome
notable para athletes in the 2019 race weekend events, including Boston
Marathon participants Marko Cheseto and Adam Popp and B.A.A. 5K participant
Adrianne Haslet. Cheseto and Haslet will be available to discuss the new
division during the B.A.A. pre-race press conference on Thursday, April 11,
2019 at 2:30 p.m. at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel.
Additional details about the Para Athletic Divisions and Adaptive Programs
for 2020 can be found on the B.A.A. website at www.baa.org.
About the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.)
Established in 1887, the Boston Athletic Association is a non-profit
organization with a mission of promoting a healthy lifestyle through
sports, especially running. The B.A.A.'s Boston Marathon is the world's
oldest annual marathon, and the organization manages other local events and
supports comprehensive charity, youth, and year-round running programs,
including high performance athletes and running club. Since 1986, the
principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon has been John Hancock. The Boston
Marathon is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, along with
international marathons in Tokyo, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York
City. More than 60,000 runners will participate in B.A.A. events in 2019.
The 123rd Boston Marathon will be held on Monday, April 15, 2019. For more
information on the B.A.A., please visit www.baa.org.
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