FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
B.A.A. Announces New Framework for Athletes with Disabilities
Divisions and Programs of the Boston Marathon
BOSTON -The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) announced it is
implementing changes and a new framework for the Boston Marathon's Athletes
with Disabilities (AWD) Divisions and Programs. The changes will provide a
greater range of opportunities for athletes with disabilities to
participate and compete, and will further align AWD policies with existing
Boston Marathon policies and the Paralympic Movement. The changes include
John Hancock increasing the Push Rim Wheelchair Division prize purse to
$125,000 to recognize top performers.
"The B.A.A. seeks to be inclusive of the interests of athletes with
disabilities," said Tom Grilk, Chief Executive Officer, B.A.A. "Our
commitment to well organized growth in conformance with international
standards has been and remains strong. We recognize the importance of
providing a range of opportunities for athletes with disabilities to
participate, aspire, achieve, and compete. In collaboration with our peer
races, our goal is to establish a best practice approach on how athletes
with disabilities are included-and recognized-in elite athletic events."
With these changes, the Boston Marathon will be positioned among the world
leaders in the execution and recognition of competition and athletic
achievement of athletes with disabilities.
"Aligning our AWD Divisions of the Boston Marathon with policies and
practices defined by World Para Athletics, the international governing body
of para athletics, will create a fair playing field for all levels of
competition," said Marla Runyan, B.A.A. Athletes with Disabilities Manager
and a two-time U.S. Olympian and Paralympian. "In Boston, we are uniquely
positioned to elevate the athletic achievements of the world's best
athletes, informing an international audience that disability includes
athletic excellence."
In the new structure, AWD Divisions are defined as competitive divisions
that follow World Para Athletics (WPA) Rules and Regulations of
competition, have research-based qualifying standards within each division,
and leverage the WPA classification code which groups athletes by similar
functional abilities. Additionally, AWD Programs will continue to provide
unique opportunities for athletes with disabilities to take part in and
experience the Boston Marathon.
"It is great to see the B.A.A. creating opportunities for our elite
athletes to compete within a framework that is consistent with
international standards," said Julie Dussliere, Vice President of U.S.
Paralympics. "The Boston Marathon has always been a premier race to
showcase our athletes, and we applaud the B.A.A. for embracing inclusion
and elevating the profile of para track and field in the U.S."
"This is a significant step that will elevate the profile of Para-athletes
in the United States, and these changes will bring greater awareness,
recognition, and competitive opportunities for Para-athletes from around
the world," said Ryan Montgomery, Summer Sports Director at the
International Paralympic Committee. "This is an exciting development for
Para athletics and the IPC is pleased to see the B.A.A. leading this
initiative."
Notable changes to AWD Divisions and Programs of the 2019 Boston Marathon
include:
- Aligning AWD registration dates and procedures with open registration of
the Boston Marathon (September 2018).
- Increasing the total prize purse for the Push Rim Wheelchair Division
from $84,500 to $125,000.
- The new prize purse includes $1,500 for the men's and women's winners
of the T51/T52 category of the Push Rim Wheelchair Division, positioning
the Boston Marathon as the only non-IPC competition to offer prize money
for athletes in this classification.
- John Hancock, the principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon since
1986, provides all prize money awarded.
- Establishing high-performance time standards within the Visually Impaired
Division, making the Boston Marathon the only major marathon to offer a
framework of this kind for elite blind and visually impaired athletes.
- Leveraging World Para Athletics Rules and Regulations for competition and
the WPA classification code within AWD Divisions.
- Extending race morning transportation and staging in Hopkinton-currently
provided to Wheelchair, Handcycle, and Duo Team participants-to athletes in
the Visually Impaired Division and Mobility Impaired Program.
Furthermore, the new framework will allow for the incorporation of a
dditional competitive divisions for para athletes in future Boston
Marathons with consideration for awards and prize money. Additional details
regarding these changes and improvements, including qualifying standards
and eligibility requirements, can be found on the B.A.A. website.
ABOUT THE BOSTON ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
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.
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 2018. 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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