FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
124th Boston Marathon to be Held Virtually
The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) has announced that the 124th
Boston Marathon will be held as a virtual event, following Boston Mayor
Martin Walsh's cancellation of the marathon as a mass participation road
running event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The virtual Boston Marathon
will be complemented by a series of virtual events throughout the second
week of September.
"Our top priority continues to be safeguarding the health of the community,
as well as our staff, participants, volunteers, spectators, and
supporters," said Tom Grilk, C.E.O. of the B.A.A. "While we cannot bring
the world to Boston in September, we plan to bring Boston to the world for
an historic 124th Boston Marathon."
All participants who were originally registered for the April 20, 2020
event will be offered a full refund of their entry fee associated with the
race and will have the opportunity to participate in the virtual
alternative to the 124th Boston Marathon, which can be run any time between
September 7–14. The B.A.A. will also offer a series of virtual events and
activities throughout September's Marathon Week in an effort to bring the
Boston Marathon experience to the constituencies that the organization
serves here in Boston, across the United States, and around the world.
Virtual offerings for participants during that week will include exclusive
panel discussions, champions interviews, and a downloadable Boston Marathon
toolkit that includes signature race elements such as a printable finish
line, winner's breaktape, and more. Further details will be sent to all
entrants in the near future.
Participants in the virtual 2020 Boston Marathon will be required to
complete the 26.2 mile distance within a six hour time period and provide
proof of timing to the B.A.A. All athletes who complete the virtual race
will receive an official Boston Marathon program, participant t-shirt,
medal, and runner's bib.
The B.A.A. 5K scheduled for September 12 has also been canceled due to
coronavirus. All participants who were originally registered for the April
18, 2020 event will be offered a refund. More information will be sent to
participants.
The 2020 Boston Marathon, originally scheduled for April 20, was postponed
to September 14, 2020 by Boston Mayor Martin Walsh due to the COVID-19
pandemic. The B.A.A. has been regularly communicating with city and state
officials to discuss all efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus. For
the 35th year, John Hancock will serve as principal sponsor of the Boston
Marathon.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
(Q) I was entered in the 2020 Boston Marathon. How do I get my refund?
(A) All Boston Marathon entrants will be offered a full refund of their
entry fee. Information on how to receive your refund will be communicated
by e-mail in the coming weeks. Due to the volume of refunds being
processed, the length of time before receiving your refund may be multiple
weeks or months. We appreciate your patience, and assure you we will
process all requests as quickly as possible.
(Q) If I purchased tickets to race week events (such as the Unicorn Club,
Pre-Race Dinner or Post-Race Party), will I receive a refund?
(A) Yes. Information on how to receive your refund for purchases such as
the Unicorn Club and Pre-Race Dinner or Post-Race Party tickets will be
communicated by e-mail in the coming weeks. Due to the volume of refunds
being processed, the length of time before receiving your refund may be
multiple weeks or months. We appreciate your patience, and assure you we
will process all requests as quickly as possible. Refunds do not include
merchandise.
(Q) How do I enter the virtual Boston Marathon?
(A) Information on how to enter the virtual Boston Marathon will be
communicated to all Boston Marathon entrants in the coming weeks. All
participants who were originally entered in the Boston Marathon for April
20, 2020 are eligible to participate in the virtual Boston Marathon. This
includes entrants who had previously opted for a race refund prior to the
May 28 announcement.
(Q) What will I receive if I enter the virtual Boston Marathon?
(A) Surrounding September's virtual Boston Marathon, the B.A.A. will offer
a series of virtual events and activities throughout September's Marathon
Week (September 7-14) in an effort to bring the Boston Marathon experience
to you.
Virtual offerings for participants during that week will include exclusive
panel discussions, champions interviews, and a downloadable Boston Marathon
toolkit that includes signature race elements such as a printable finish
line, winner's breaktape, and more. Further details and a complete list of
entrant amenities will be sent to all participants in the near future.
(Q) What will I receive if I finish the virtual Boston Marathon?
(A) Participants in the virtual 2020 Boston Marathon will be required to
complete the 26.2 mile distance within a six hour time period and provide
proof of timing to the B.A.A. All athletes who complete the virtual race
will receive an official Boston Marathon program, participant t-shirt,
medal, and runner's bib. Further details will be sent to all entrants in
the near future.
(Q) What are the rules for the virtual Boston Marathon? How can I submit my
time?
(A) Rules and guidelines surrounding the virtual Boston Marathon will be
communicated by email and via www.baa.org in the near future. Participants
in the virtual Boston Marathon will be required to complete the 26.2 mile
distance within a six hour time period and provide proof of timing to the
B.A.A.
(Q) Can I complete the 26.2 miles over multiple days?
(A) Participants are expected to complete the 26.2 marathon distance
continuously, on the same day, and not broken up over several days.
(Q) Is there a fee to enter or participate in the virtual Boston Marathon?
(A) Registration details, including fees for participation and/or shipping
costs, will be communicated to all Boston Marathon entrants in the near
future.
(Q) Can I use my 2020 Boston Marathon qualifying time for the 2021 Boston
Marathon?
(A) Yes. The B.A.A. is reviewing all specifics involved in the registration
procedure for the 2021 Boston Marathon, and additional details related to
both the qualifying window and registration dates for the 2021 Boston
Marathon will be announced and posted in the coming weeks.
(Q) When will registration for the 2021 Boston Marathon open?
(A) Registration for the 2021 Boston Marathon will open towards the end of
September 2020. The beginning of the qualifying window to be used for
application and entry into the 2021 Boston Marathon has been established to
be September 15, 2018, which means that we will accept qualifying
performances posted for the 2020 event into the 2021 race, as well.
Achieving and submitting a qualifying time during Boston Marathon
registration does not guarantee acceptance into the Boston Marathon.
(Q) Can I use my virtual Boston Marathon time as a qualifying time for the
2021 Boston Marathon?
(A) Virtual race times that are submitted to confirm participation in the
124th virtual Boston Marathon in 2020 will not count towards qualification
for the 2021 Boston Marathon.
(Q) Are deadlines still in place for participants running for a charity
team?
(A) Specific questions about fundraising deadlines and timelines should be
directed to the manager of the charity team with which you are affiliated.
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