FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BAA ADJUSTS QUALIFYING TIMES FOR BOSTON MARATHON
Field Size Maximum for 107th race set at 20,000 participants
BOSTON, MASS. (June 27, 2002) - For the first time in 13 years, the Boston
Athletic Association has adjusted its qualifying standards for runners in
the Boston Marathon. The new qualifying times affect runners who are
45-years of age and older and reflect the B.A.A.'s ability and desire to
accommodate more participants. The adjustment in the qualifying times
follows a review and analysis of the performances across the sport, and
three new age groupings have been created (70 to 74 years old; 75-79 years
old; and 80 years and older).
Also new for the 107th Boston Marathon, to be held on April 21, 2003 and
with John Hancock Financial Services as the principal sponsor for the 18th
year, the maximum field size will be increased to 20,000 athletes. The
Boston Marathon was limited to 15,000 participants in 2001 and 2002.
To qualify for the 107th Boston Marathon, athletes must meet the
designated time standard that corresponds to their age and gender group.
Qualifying times must have been run between September 28, 2001 and
February 2, 2003 at a certified marathon. Seeding is based on qualifying
times, which are subject to review and verification.
2003 BOSTON MARATHON QUALIFYING STANDARDS
Age Group Men ... Women ... Adjustment
18-34 ... 3 hrs 10 min ... 3 hrs 40 min ... --
35-39 ... 3 hrs 15 min ... 3 hrs 45 min ... --
40-44 ... 3 hrs 20 min ... 3 hrs 50 min ... --
45-49 ... 3 hrs 30 min ... 4 hrs 00 min ... + 5 min
50-54 ... 3 hrs 35 min ... 4 hrs 05 min ... + 5 min
55-59 ... 3 hrs 45 min ... 4 hrs 15 min ... + 10 min
60-64 ... 4 hrs 00 min ... 4 hrs 30 min ... + 20 min
65-69 ... 4 hrs 15 min ... 4 hrs 45 min ... + 30 min
70-74 ... 4 hrs 30 min ... 5 hrs 00 min ... + 40 min
75-79 ... 4 hrs 45 min ... 5 hrs 15 min ... + 55 min
80+ ... 5 hrs 00 min ... 5 hrs 30 min ... + 70 min
Entries from athletes meeting the qualifying times will be accepted until
February 3, 2003 or until the maximum field size of 20,000 is reached,
whichever comes first.
Online registration will be available September 9, 2002. Instructions and
details are on the official web site at www.baa.org (also at
www.bostonmarathon.org).
Age on April 21, 2003 determines a participant's qualifying time. Age
group on the day of the qualifying race may differ. The qualifying times
remain unchanged for the wheelchair division and mobility impaired
programs.
B.A.A. accepts net times from chip scoring systems. Proof of
qualification, such as copy of a finish certificate or results listing
(non-returnable), must accompany the entry form. Qualifying times attained
at marathons using the ChampionChip timing and scoring device do not
require submission of proof. Athletes must be 18-years or older on April
21, 2003.
The last time the qualifying standards were adjusted for runners was in
preparation for the 1990 Boston Marathon. The B.A.A. first introduced
qualifying times to the Boston Marathon in the early 1970s in order to
limit the field size. However, during the last 30 years, the Boston
Marathon's qualifying standards have become the target times for many
aspiring marathoners and have contributed to the popularity of running.
Boston remains the only major marathon - other than Olympic trials
marathons and the Olympic Games Marathon - in which runners must post a
qualifying time in order to gain entry.
Participants in this year's Boston Marathon, held April 15, 2002, will be
among the first informed of the new qualifying times when they receive
their Official Racers' Record Book early next week.
For further information, contact...
B.A.A. Executive Director: Guy Morse
Boston Marathon Race Director: David McGillivray
Media contacts: Jack Fleming or Julia Beeson at the B.A.A. (617-236-1652).
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