FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
24th Boston Marathon Virtual Experience Features More Than 15,900 Finishers
The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) has announced that 15,972
participants-89 percent of the entrant field-from 83 countries completed
the Boston Marathon Virtual Experience. Bringing the Boston Marathon to
communities near and far, participants had from September 5 through
September 14 to cover 26.2-miles in one continuous run within their
neighborhood to earn their B.A.A. unicorn medal and be recognized as a
Boston Marathon finisher.
"For ten days, the spirit of the Boston Marathon was ever-present around
the world and we are in awe of how our participants rose to the challenge
to bring Boston to the world," said B.A.A. CEO Tom Grilk. "From thousands
of breaktape finishes, to volunteers giving back to their communities, the
Boston Marathon Virtual Experience was another memorable chapter in our
race's history."
Two Boston Marathon Champions also finished the Boston Marathon Virtual
Experience: Five-time wheelchair champion Tatyana McFadden completed her
race on Monday, September 7, while reigning wheelchair champion Daniel
Romanchuk finished his race on Saturday, September 12 in Central Illinois.
The field of finishers includes 8,624 men and 7,348 women, who completed
the marathon distance in an average finish time of 4:11:41. Among the
17,952 total entrants were 147 Para athletes including 18 wheelchair racers
and six duo teams. Total finisher numbers are not inclusive of participants
who have been given an extension to complete the race for reasons including
poor air quality in regions of the United States and Canada affected by
wildfires.
"We call this a virtual race, but this is not virtual. You watch the 15,000
people in all these countries completing a 26.2 mile marathon, breaking the
tape, being met by family and friends, bottles of champagne and all sorts
of stuff," said Governor Charlie Baker during the Mile 27 Post-Race Party
presented by Samuel Adams on Monday, September 14. "It's as real as it's
ever been, and it's a beautiful thing."
The Boston Marathon Virtual Experience also featured #BAAGivesBack-a
Virtual Volunteer Challenge that encouraged race volunteers to give back to
their communities and a fundraising sweepstakes that raised funds for
COVID-19 response efforts. Nearly 5,000 volunteers took part in the virtual
challenge, which also included the donation of 6,000 Boston Marathon
jackets to frontline workers along the course. Through the race week
sweepstakes-where a $10 donation provided a chance to win a VIP Boston
Marathon Experience-the B.A.A. raised more than $13,000, in addition to the
organization's $100,000 donation in April to the Boston Resiliency Fund, to
support COVID-19 response efforts. Seven-time Boston Marathon finisher
James "JT" Peebles of Nebraska was randomly drawn as the sweepstakes
winner.
"The Marathon is one of our city's most beloved traditions. It's more than
a race-it's a symbol of our city's strength and resilience. In 2020 that is
more true now than ever," said Boston Mayor Martin Walsh in a video message
to participants on September 14. "The first-ever Boston Marathon Virtual
Experience brought the spirit of the Marathon to neighborhoods across the
globe and athletes have raised millions of dollars to support great causes.
That's what we do in Boston-we keep our head up, we support one another,
and we find a way to finish the race."
The B.A.A. has also announced the #finishSTRONG Challenge, a new three-race
virtual series featuring the B.A.A. 5K, B.A.A. 10K, and B.A.A. Half
Marathon. Participants in the #finishSTRONG Challenge can virtually race
all three events anywhere and at any time between early October and
December 31, 2020. Ten dollars of every registration fee will go directly
to each race's official fundraising partner: Special Olympics
Massachusetts, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Dana-Farber Cancer
Institute and the Jimmy Fund. Registration is currently open through
www.baa.org.
124th Boston Marathon Virtual Experience Participant Facts
17,952 participants including, citizens of 97 countries and residents of
all 50 states, were entered in the 124th Boston Marathon Virtual Experience
15,972 Boston Marathoners from all 50 states and 84 countries completed
26.2 miles and submitted their finish time for the Boston Marathon Virtual
Experience
Top Five Data:
Top five countries: United States (11,685), Canada (1,161), United Kingdom
(456), China (387), Mexico (241)
Top five states: Massachusetts (2,336), California (1,191), Texas (750),
New York (656), Pennsylvania (434)
Top five cities: Boston (281), New York (175), Chicago (136), Beijing
(115), Toronto (111)
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