Runners who were unable to finish this year's Boston Marathon will be invited to register for the 2014 race, the Boston Athletic Association announced Thursday.
More than 5,000 runners were stopped on the course when two bombs exploded near the finish line on April 15. The B.A.A. has said that the 5,633 official entrants who had passed the halfway point but were unable to finish will be guaranteed entry into next year's marathon. These entrants will pay an as-yet-determined registration fee.
This year's non-finishers will receive information in early August about registering for the 2014 marathon, and will have to register during a designated registration period that the B.A.A. hasn't yet specified.
Regular registration for the marathon is scheduled to open in September. The B.A.A. hasn't announced the date.
In today's announcement, the B.A.A. didn't say whether guaranteeing etnry to 2013 non-finishers would lower the amount of qualifier spots for the 2014 marathon.
Concerning next year's race, the B.A.A. said, "No decision has been made on the maximum field size for the 2014 Boston Marathon, including the number of qualifiers and invitational applications available. The B.A.A. will work with many partners, including public safety officials, before determining changes, if necessary, to the event and the race."
Related:
Runner's World interview with Boston Marathon Officials
2014 Boston Marathon Registration FAQ
Boston Marathon Finish Cutoff Time Is 5:30 p.m
Scott is a veteran running, fitness, and health journalist who has held senior editorial positions at Runner’s World and Running Times. Much of his writing translates sport science research and elite best practices into practical guidance for everyday athletes. He is the author or coauthor of several running books, including Running Is My Therapy, Advanced Marathoning, and We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Cutoff Time for 2025 Boston Marathon Is 6:51 Slate, The Atlantic, the Washington Post, and other members of the sedentary media. His lifetime running odometer is past 110,000 miles, but he’s as much in love as ever.
