FAQ

Information Centers are located in several places through the city on race weekend:

John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo
John B. Hynes Convention Center
900 Boylston Street
Boston, MA
(617) 954-2000
Friday, April 12, 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 13, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 14, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Copley Square
Saturday, April 13, 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 14, 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Monday, April 15, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m

Hopkinton Athletes’ Village
Monday, April 15, 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Family Meeting Area
Stuart Street in Boston’s Back Bay
Monday, April 15, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

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)

While it is popular belief that in 1887 the B.A.A. founders chose the Unicorn as the organization’s symbol due to its place in mythology (Chinese and other mythologies regard the figure as an ideal and something to be pursued but which can never be caught), it is more likely that the Unicorn was borrowed from the coat of arms from one of the B.A.A.'s first families. Still, the now iconic Unicorn stands for striving for excellence.... even it can never be achieved.

Race participants can check belongings at a designated location near the start. Belongings must be claimed shortly following the race. The B.A.A. is not responsible for personal belongings.

The ONLY guaranteed way to get to the start on race morning is by the official B.A.A. buses between 6:00 and 7:30 a.m. Bus loading will take place at the Tremont Street side of the Boston Common in Boston’s Back Bay area. In order to load all the buses efficiently, avoid delays and get to the start on time, we strongly recommend the following bus loading schedule:

NOTE: Transportation to the start is for official runners only. Each runner must show his/her bib number upon boarding. We are not able to provide transportation to the start from Boston for family or friends. Limited transportation from Boston to Hopkinton to both parking areas will be available after the race at no charge. Buses leave from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. from the corner of Stuart and Berkeley Streets. You must show your race number upon boarding. Wheelchair participants will receive transportation information with their Number Pick-up Card.

No, please do not run if you have not been officially entered in the race. Race amenities along the course and at the finish, such as fluids, medical care, and traffic safety, are provided based on the number of official entrants. Any addition to this by way of unofficial participants, adversely affects our ability to ensure a safe race for everyone.

After you submit your application, you'll receive an e-mail confirming that we've received your application. Verification of your qualified time can then take up to five weeks as the results from your qualifying race are verified.

Once we verify your time, you'll receive a second e-mail that confirms your entrance into the Boston Marathon.