FAQ

The B.A.A. will broadcast every five kilometer split to its website and family and friends can track your progress by logging in and entering your name or bib number. The "face" of the Boston Marathon website will change on race day and the process on how to enter the search will be clear. The AT&T Athlete Alert program allows messages to be automatically delivered to any US mobile phone, a pager, or any email address.

Alerts will be broadcast when your runner crosses the starting line, reaches the 10K, half marathon and 30K marks, and from the finish line. Runners or their family and friends can register in three ways:

• Via text message or SMS, (after registering, you'll receive a text message confirming how to complete registration).
• Visiting the AT&T Athlete Alert Sign-Up page at the race website, www.baa.org, and sign up there. (This will be posted in March, 2013).
• Registering in person. Representatives will be available in the Bib Number Pick-up area at the John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo, Friday, April 12, from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturday, April 13, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sunday, April 14, from 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Yes, the event will engage the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USASA), in accordance with the international Standards of Doping Control, to test selected athletes who earn prize money. Athletes who participate in the B.A.A. Half Marathon may be subject to drug testing in accordance with the USADA Protocol for Olympic Movement Testing (USADA Protocol). USADA will be responsible for conducting comprehensive drug testing, as well as the adjudication of positive findings. Athletes with positive drug test results will have their cases adjudicated according to the USADA Protocol and will be penalized, if appropriate, according to applicable IAAF or World Anti Doping Agency rules. Such penalties may include, but not be limited to, a period of ineligibility from competition, as well as disqualification from past competitions and cancellation of awards and prizes previously awarded. Any substance taken by an athlete is at his/her own risk and may result in a positive sample. BEWARE: some nutritional supplements, prescription, cold medicines and over-the-counter medications contain prohibited substances. Information regarding specific drugs and substances may be obtained by calling the USADA Drug Reference Line at 1-800-233-0393, or by visiting www.usantidoping.org or www.888athlete.org.

Port-a-johns will be located at each fluid and each first aid station. Stations are every mile beginning at mile two. We've also added many port-a-johns to the start area and the athlete's village.

The race director or race management can tell you if a course is certified. For a complete list of certified courses in the U.S.A. check USA Track & Field. In Canada check Athletics Canada. Internationally, an extensive calendar of races is listed at the Association of International Marathon and Road Races website, with indication of courses that are not certified.

Official Entrants receive:

• Admission to the John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo
• Long sleeved t-shirt
• Bib number
• An official result from an electronically recorded official timing system
• Runner’s baggage / goodie bag
• Boston Marathon Official Program
• Complimentary ticket for the Pre-Race Pasta Dinner
• Complimentary transportation to the start
• Access to the Athletes’ Village in Hopkinton, providing entertainment, light refreshments, water, Gatorade, tenting and portable toilets
• Water and Gatorade Endurance Formula (lemon/lime flavor) along the course
• First aid / medical facilities along the course and at the finish area
• Athlete tracking
• A finisher’s medal upon finishing the marathon before 4:45 p.m.
• A mylar blanket
• Baggage and dressing area (no showers)
• Massage
• Family meeting area
• Admission to the Awards Ceremony
• Complimentary ticket for the Post-Race Party
• Results postcard providing all 5Km split information, official and net times
• Finisher’s certificate (mailed during the summer)
• Results book (mailed over the summer)

Although the B.A.A. discourages the use of iPods and headphones, they are allowed except for those athletes eligible for prize money.

To volunteer with the B.A.A., please visit our Volunteer Page.

Registration for the fifth annual B.A.A. 5K will open in January/February of 2013.

If you are interested in exploring sponsorship opportunities with the Boston Marathon, B.A.A. Half Marathon, or any B.A.A. event, please contact T.K. Skenderian at tk@baa.org.

No. Massage services are not provided at the B.A.A. Half Marathon.