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Home Races Boston Marathon Info for Para & Adaptive Athletes Adaptive Program for Runners

Adaptive Program for Runners

The Adaptive Program for Runners presented by the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism provides support for athletes with visual, physical, or intellectual impairments to participate and take part in the Boston Marathon.

  • The athlete must possess a permanent physical, intellectual, or visual impairment that aligns with the eligible impairment types defined by World Para Athletics, and
  • The impairment must have a significant impact on the person’s ability to ambulate and/or participate in the sport of running, and
  • Athletes with visual impairments must meet the criteria of legal blindness; visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the best possible correction, and/or a visual field of 20 degrees or less.
  • The athlete must provide impairment documentation at the time of registration, or have current documentation on file with the B.A.A.
  • Athletes with acute injuries or temporary conditions are not eligible for this program.
  • Refer to Eligibility for more information.

  • Athletes must achieve or better their respective qualifying time by type of impairment on a certified marathon course during the qualifying window.
  • The qualifying window for the 2027 Boston Marathon opened September 13, 2025.
  • Athletes have until the date they register to achieve their qualifying time.
IMPAIRMENT TYPE QUALIFYING STANDARD (BOTH MEN AND WOMEN, 18 YEARS OF AGE AND OVER)
Physical or Intellectual 6:00:00
Visual 5:00:00
  • The combined maximum field size of the Adaptive Programs for the 2027 Boston Marathon is 250. This includes both qualified and non-qualified athletes on an invitational entry, such as those afforded through the Bank of America Boston Marathon Official Charity Program.
  • The Adaptive Program field size may be limited with the fastest athletes being accepted into the race. Qualifying for the race does not guarantee acceptance into the race.
  • If a cut-off is applied to the Adaptive Programs, it will be specific to the Adaptive Programs and will not be impacted by the open field cut-off if one applies.

  • Non-qualified runners who possess an eligible physical, visual, or intellectual impairment and who wish to apply for the Adaptive Program using an invitational entry, such as those afforded through the Bank of America Boston Marathon Official Charity Program or, may apply at time of registration.
  • Please note that medical documentation must be submitted to ParaAthletes@baa.org and approved prior to an invitational entry being sent to an athlete in the Adaptive Programs.
  • Entry into the Adaptive Programs via invitational entry is subject to space remaining in the program.

  • Runners in the Adaptive Program must be able to self-propel themselves the entire marathon distance by their own volition.
  • Runners in the Adaptive Program who possess a visual impairment are permitted to run with up to two Guide Runners on the marathon course.
  • Runners who possess a physical or intellectual impairment are permitted to be accompanied by one Support Runner on the marathon course.
  • Visit Guide & Support Runners to learn more about Guide and Support Runner selection and registration procedures.

Contact Para Athletes

Email: paraathletes@baa.org Address: 699 Boylston St. #800 Boston, MA 02116