FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fall 2021 Boston Marathon Date Selected
The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) has announced that if road races
are allowed to take place as part of the Massachusetts reopening plan, the
125th Boston Marathon will be held on Monday, October 11, 2021.
"We announce the 2021 Boston Marathon date with a cautious optimism,
understanding full well that we will continue to be guided by science and
our continued collaborative work with local, city, state, and public health
officials," said Tom Grilk, President and C.E.O. of the B.A.A. "If we are
able to hold an in-person race in October, the safety of participants,
volunteers, spectators, and community members will be paramount."
"Massachusetts continues to fight COVID-19 and distribute vaccines across
the Commonwealth, and with brighter days ahead, we are looking forward to
getting back to a new normal in 2021," said Governor Charlie Baker. "We
will continue to work with local partners and the B.A.A. to monitor the
situation and remain hopeful that the 125th Boston Marathon can take place
this October."
"While it was of course the right thing to do, canceling the 2020 Boston
Marathon for the first time in its 124-year history was one of the hardest
announcements to make," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "Today, I'm filled with
hope, as we set our sights on October for the running of the 125th Boston
Marathon. We have a ways to go before we're out of the woods, but guided by
sound judgment and the advice of our public health experts, I am hopeful
that we'll get to enjoy the return of one of Boston's most storied
traditions this fall."
In celebration of the 125th Boston Marathon, the B.A.A. will also offer a
virtual race option. Additional details including field size for the
in-person race, registration dates, safety measures and protocols, and
participant requirements that will be in place will be forthcoming. The
event plan will be pending future approval from the eight cities and towns
that comprise the marathon route.
Road races are currently not permitted until Phase 4 of the Massachusetts
reopening plan. The Commonwealth reverted to Phase III, Step 1 of the
reopening plan on December 13, 2020.
2021 BOSTON MARATHON FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
(Q) WHEN WILL THE 2021 BOSTON MARATHON BE HELD?
(A) If road races are allowed to take place as part of the Massachusetts
reopening plan, the 125th Boston Marathon will be held on Monday, October
11, 2021. Additional details including field size for the in-person race,
registration dates, safety measures and protocols, and participant
requirements that will be in place are forthcoming. The event plan will be
pending future approval from the eight cities and towns that comprise the
marathon route.
(Q) WHY IS THIS DATE SO CLOSE TO OTHER ABBOTT WORLD MARATHON MAJOR RACES?
(A) We understand there will be many Abbott World Marathon Major races
occurring in a short period of time in the fall of 2021. We have selected
October 11 in coordination with the eight cities and towns that comprise
the marathon route and in consultation with the B.A.A.'s COVID-19 Medical &
Event Operations Advisory Group.
(Q) WHEN IS REGISTRATION FOR THE 2021 BOSTON MARATHON?
(A) Registration for the 2021 Boston Marathon has not opened. All details
regarding registration and field size, pending local regulations and the
event plan, will be forthcoming. Once registration dates are available,
they will be posted on www.baa.org, in Athletes' Village, and across the
Boston Marathon social media channels.
(Q) WHAT IS THE FIELD SIZE FOR THE 2021 BOSTON MARATHON?
(A) Details regarding registration and field size, pending local
regulations and the event plan, will be forthcoming. We are actively
working with our local, city, state, and public health partners to
determine the optimal field size for 2021, keeping the safety of
participants, volunteers, and community members paramount.
(Q) WHAT IS THE QUALIFYING WINDOW FOR THE 2021 BOSTON MARATHON?
(A) The qualifying window for the 2021 Boston Marathon opened on September
15, 2018. Any valid qualifying time run on or after that date may be used
to submit a Boston Marathon registration application. Please note that
achieving a qualifying time does not guarantee acceptance of entry into the
Boston Marathon. Times run in virtual marathons are not eligible for Boston
Marathon qualification purposes. Qualifying windows for future Boston
Marathons will be announced at a later date.
(Q) HOW WAS THE QUALIFYING WINDOW DETERMINED?
(A) On May 28, 2020, the B.A.A. announced that qualifying times previously
used for entry application into the 2020 Boston Marathon may be used for
the 2021 Boston Marathon. The qualifying window for the 2020 Boston
Marathon began on September 15, 2018; therefore, the qualifying window for
the 2021 Boston Marathon began on September 15, 2018. Any valid qualifying
time run between September 15, 2018 through the opening of registration may
be used to submit a qualifying time. Please note that achieving a
qualifying time does not guarantee acceptance of entry into the Boston
Marathon. Further details on registration for the 2021 Boston Marathon will
be forthcoming.
(Q) WHAT COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS WILL BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF
PARTICIPANTS, VOLUNTEERS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS AT THE BOSTON MARATHON?
(A) The Boston Athletic Association continues to work with local, city,
state, and public health officials to determine best practices to ensure
the safety of all community members. Safety measures and protocols, along
with participant requirements pending local regulations and event plans,
will be made available in the coming months.
(Q) WILL THERE BE A VIRTUAL COMPONENT TO THE 2021 BOSTON MARATHON?
(A) Yes! The B.A.A. will offer a virtual race opportunity as part of the
2021 Boston Marathon, with additional details forthcoming. Registration
information will be posted to www.baa.org, Athletes' Village, and the
Boston Marathon social media channels.
(Q) WILL THERE BE A B.A.A. 5K ON BOSTON MARATHON WEEKEND?
(A) The B.A.A. 5K will be held virtually in 2021 over Patriots' Day
weekend, April 16-April 18. Registration will open on February 1 within
Athletes' Village. For more information visit www.baa.org.
(Q) WHAT IS THE STATUS OF OTHER 2021 B.A.A. RACES?
(A) The B.A.A. 5K will be held as a virtual race from April 16-April 18,
with registration opening through Athletes' Village on February 1.
Information regarding other 2021 B.A.A. events, including the B.A.A. 10K
and B.A.A. Half Marathon, will be announced at a later date.
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