The Boston Athletic Association offers year-round community programming that brings people together through running and fitness. From free group runs and youth initiatives to seasonal events and training opportunities, the B.A.A. creates welcoming spaces for all ages and abilities to stay active, connect with others, and celebrate the joy of movement across Greater Boston.
The B.A.A. welcomes athletes of all ages and abilities to the B.A.A. Neighborhood Fitness Series presented by Boston Children’s Hospital! Held throughout Boston, the Neighborhood Fitness Series features free walk/runs of varying distances, family-friendly activities, and a celebration of getting active. Join in the fun and begin your fitness journey while earning a unicorn medal!
Since the B.A.A. renewed its commitment to youth running in 1997, over 50,000 Boston-area youth have experienced the inspiration and excitement of a B.A.A. program
Explore the B.A.A.’s Community Programs Calendar to find year-round runs, events, and activities that keep you moving and connected.
Developed by the B.A.A., the Boston Running Collaborative (BRC) is comprised of organizations and individuals committed to building a diverse Boston running community, improving health and wellness, and expanding access to running and walking in Boston with a focus on communities of color.
130th Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America
The purpose of these initiatives is to promote health and wellness of historically underrepresented groups in Boston and surrounding communities. We will accomplish this by increasing the visibility and representation of individuals from those communities in the Boston Marathon, removing barriers to participation, and providing resources to train as a collective group for the Boston Marathon.
Boston’s Marathoners Program
The B.A.A. will offer 30 entries for the 2026 Boston Marathon. Applicants should have some recent running background and feel comfortable that they can manage the training and complete the marathon distance in under 6 hours.
Medley to Marathon:
This program is for runners who may need another year of training to prepare before running the Boston Marathon. The Medley to Marathon is a three-race series which combines the Boston 5K (April), 10K (June), and Half Marathon (November). All should be completed as a training prep for the 2027 Boston Marathon.
Runners will receive an invitational entry which waives the following:
– A qualifying marathon time per gender and age group.
– Fundraising on behalf of one of BAA’s official charities and fundraising.
Entry Fees Are Required
– The fee for the 2026 Boston’s Marathoners Program is $385 and increases if the payment is not paid by February 1, 2026. The final date to enter is February 15, 2026 by 5:00 pm. After that time, the entries will expire and you will lose your place in the marathon.
– The entry fee for the 2026 Medley to Marathon Program is $75 which includes all three races. It does not include the entry fee for the 2027 Boston Marathon. (For reference, the 2026 entry fee for the marathon is $385)
– If these fees create a hardship, please inform the committee if you are accepted to the program.
Who are we looking for:
– Runners who reflect Boston’s communities.
– First-time Boston Marathon participants.
– Passion for the sport of running.
– Non-qualifiers or those who qualified but missed the cut-off
– Those who could benefit from additional time and guidance to prepare for the 2027 Boston Marathon
Additional Requirements:
– Grant permission for the B.A.A. Comms Team to promote your participation, utilizing photos and videos on its media channels and in race-related publications.
– Must participate in our program (in-person and virtual sessions) and join the WhatsApp group.
– If you have concerns about these requirements, please email Suzanne Walmsley at swalmsley@baa.org
Thank you for your interest in the 2026 Boston’s Marathoners program and Medley to Marathon Programs. All 2026 applications must submitted through this google form. **Please note: applying through this form does not guarantee you an entry to the 2026 Boston Marathon or 2026 Distance Medley. A selection committee will evaluate the applications and all applicants will be notified of their decision.
Wings of America will provide a running and college immersion program for promising young Native American student-athletes over Boston Marathon Weekend. Wings will select 5 Native American high school student athletes to travel to Boston to participate in the B.A.A. 5k and attend Marathon Weekend Events. When appropriate, Wings Participants may volunteer at specific events. Harvard University, other local colleges and friends of the Wings organization will host program participants while they are in Boston. Harvard will also invite a guest speaker to further promote public conversation about Native American running traditions.
About Pursuit:
Pursuit is an annual program of the Boston Athletic Association, administered in partnership with, Wings of America and Harvard University, using running as a catalyst to empower American Indian and Alaskan Native youth.
Purpose:
The Pursuit program is the first of its kind of any major marathon. The Boston Athletic Association, as the organizers of the Boston Marathon, is in a unique position to leverage its long and storied history while honoring some of its greatest champions. The timing and location of the Boston Marathon and the BAA 5k, enables Wings of America to provide an opportunity to expose promising student-athletes to the premier echelons of sport while introducing them to some of the greatest academic institutions in the world.
The Ohketeau Cultural Center Natives Run initiative; in partnership with the Boston Athletic Association have secured four Bibs for local Tribal Citizens of New England to Run in the Boston Marathon. More information coming soon.
2025 Carson Beach Shoreline 5K
