The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) has set a field size of 30,000 entrants for the 2015 Boston Marathon. Registration for the 2015 Boston Marathon opened on Monday, 8 September 2014 and will use the same process to register qualified runners as it used for the Boston Marathon in 2012, 2013 and 2014, allowing the fastest qualifiers in their gender and age group to register first.
The 119th Boston Marathon will be held on Monday, 20 April 2015, Patriots’ Day in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and will mark the 30th consecutive year that the event will have John Hancock Financial as its principal sponsor.
Entry Capped to 30,000 Race Slots
Working in cooperation with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the 8 cities and towns along the Boston Marathon route, the B.A.A. established the field size at 30,000 entrants, which is the third-largest field size in the event’s history. From 2009 to 2013, the field size was 27,000. The Centennial Boston Marathon in 1996 had the event’s largest-ever field size of 38,708, which stood for 7 years as the largest in marathon history. The Boston Marathon 2014 had a field size of 36,000.
Tom Grilk, B.A.A. Executive Director said,
“As we look forward to 2015, our goal is to accommodate as many participants as possible in the Boston Marathon, while maintaining the exceptional race experience and unique characteristics that make this event special. Our field size limit allows us to meet that goal, and our registration process recognizes the commitment needed to qualify and gain entry into the Boston Marathon.”
Athletes Must Meet Time Standards to Qualify for Registration
The qualification window for the 2015 Boston Marathon began last year on 14 September 2013. To qualify for the Boston Marathon, athletes must meet time standards, which correspond to age and gender.
Registration will occur on a “rolling admission” schedule, beginning with the fastest qualifiers. On Monday, 8 September, eligible runners who have met the qualifying standard for their age and gender by 20 minutes or more may register. On Wednesday, 10 September, if space remains, registration will open for those who have met their qualifying standard by 10 minutes or more. If space remains, registration will open on Friday, 12 September for those who have met their qualifying standard by 5 minutes or more. Registration will pause on Saturday, 13 September.
If space remains after the first week of registration (Monday, 8 September through Saturday, 13 September), then registration will re-open for all qualifiers from Monday, 15 September through Wednesday, 17 September. As during the first week of registration, race entry during this period (15 – 17 September) will be given to the fastest qualifiers in their gender and age group, as space allows. If space remains after 17 September, then on Monday, 22 September, registration will re-open to anyone who meets the qualifying standards on a first-come, first-served basis until the maximum field size is reached.
Celebrate Patriots’ Day in Boston with 500,000 Cheering Spectators!
The world famous Boston Marathon is known for many things, such as its rich history and challenging course that culminates in Heartbreak Hill, the last of 4 hills that got its name because lesser-trained runners are forced to a walking pace while ascending its steep slopes. Over 500,000 spectators are also expected to turn up and commemorate Patriots’ Day as well, making this an exciting day of festive celebrations for all!
The qualifying times for the 2015 Boston Marathon remain unchanged from recent years, and you may view them on the B.A.A. website. If you have what it takes, the Boston Marathon is definitely the marathon you cannot miss!
The 119th Boston Marathon will be held on Monday, 20 April 2015. The registration fee for the 2015 Boston Marathon for qualifiers is US$175 for United States residents and US$225 for international residents.
