Advertisement

BAA Lowers 2013 Marathon Qualifying Times

The Boston Athletic Association on Wednesday announced changes to its registration procedures and qualifying times.

Registration for the 2011 Boston Marathon filled up in a record 8 hours and 3 minutes in October. With thousands of qualifiers unable to file for the race, the BAA decided to revamp its filing process, according to BAA Executive Director Tom Grilk.

"We had to revisit who we are, what we are; and what our priorities, our goals and objectives are of the BAA Boston Marathon," Grilk said. "One was about the recognition of athletic excellence. Two is, we wanted to create the most fair process about entry into our race.

"As one who has struggled to meet the Boston marathon qualifying standard, I have at least some sense of the frustration that many people felt and we do not ever want to do that again."

In 2012, qualifiers with the fastest running times will be allowed to register for the marathon first, via a rolling admission process.

And in 2013, the BAA will lower qualifying times by five minutes for runners in all age groups and both genders.

Earlier:

This program aired on February 16, 2011. The audio for this program is not available.

Advertisement

More from WBUR

Listen Live
Close