FAQ

The overall 2012 Boston Marathon field is approximately 2 and 1/2 minutes faster than in any previous year. Therefore,  all wave breaks have been adjusted for this year. We cannot change anyone's seed or wave assignment.

Here are the comparisons from last year to this year: 

2011 Break between Wave 1 and 2 – 3:22:41      
2011 Break between Wave 2 and 3 – 3:45:57  

2012 Break between Wave 1 and 2 – 3:19:10
2012 Break between Wave 2 and 3 – 3:43:48

Numbers and entry fees are non-refundable, non-deferrable and non-transferable. You may NOT give your number to someone else.

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

For the 2014 Boston Marathon, registration will begin in September, 2013 and continue until the field size limit is reached.

• Registration will occur on a “rolling admission” schedule until the maximum field size is reached, beginning with the fastest qualifiers.
• For the first two days of registration for the 2014 Boston Marathon, those who are eligible for entry by having met the qualifying standards for their age and gender group by 20 minutes or more will be able to enter.
• On the third day, registration will open for those who have met their qualifying standards by 10 minutes or more.
• On the fifth day, registration will open for those who have met their qualifying standards by five minutes or more.
• During this first week of registration, applicants will be notified as they are accepted and their qualifying performance verified.

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)

All finishers will receive a specially designed medal before exiting the finish chutes. No finisher’s certificates will be issued on site, but will be mailed to all finishers once all of the results are made official. This process usually takes a few weeks.

The BibTag timing system will enable you to receive your official time (time from the starter's gun), as well as your net running time. The BibTag is affixed to your bib number and must be worn on your outer layer for the entire race for you to be scored and timed and for you to appear among the results as an official finisher.

Please handle the tag with care, as bent or damaged tags may not work correctly.