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Home Races Boston Marathon Info for Para & Adaptive Athletes Para Athletics Division

Para Athletics Division

  • Para Athletics Divisions of the Boston Marathon are competitive divisions that implement the principles of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Classification Code.
  • The classification system provides structure with the goal to minimize the impact of impairments on sport performance and establish a level playing field for competition.
  • Para Athletics Divisions of the Boston Marathon follow World Para Athletics Rules of competition.
  • To apply, select “Para Athletics Divisions” in the Para Athlete section of the race registration form and complete the subsequent fields.
  • The combined maximum field size of the Para Athletics Division for ambulatory Para athletes of the 2026 Boston Marathon is 60.
  • The Para Division field size may be limited with the fastest athletes receiving invitations first. Qualifying for the race does not guarantee acceptance into the race.
  • In advance of registration opening, if an athlete has not met their qualifying standard but would like to compete in the Para Division, please reach out to Taylor Wilson at TWilson@BAA.org for consideration.

VISION IMPAIRMENT T11/T12 and T13

The division provides a competitive opportunity for athletes with vision impairments who hold a national or WPA classification.

  • The athlete must hold a national or WPA classification T11/T12 or T13 at time of registration with a New (N), Review (R), or Confirmed (C) status.
  • In the U.S., athletes with vision impairments may pursue national classification by submitting the classification form to the USOPC.
  • Refer to Eligibility for more information.

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  • Athletes must achieve or better their respective qualifying time by age, gender and classification on a certified marathon course during the qualifying window.
  • The qualifying window for the 2026 Boston Marathon opened September 1, 2024.
  • Athletes have until the date they register to achieve their qualifying time.

 

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  • Athletes must achieve or better their respective qualifying time by age, gender and classification on a certified marathon course during the qualifying window.
  • Athletes have until the date they register to achieve their qualifying time.

Athletes with vision impairments who hold a current national or WPA classification T11/T12, or T13 and who have achieved the following high-performance standard during the current qualifying window may be considered for a complimentary entry:

  • Men: Sub 2 hours 50 minutes (2:50:00)
  • Women: Sub 3 hours 20 minutes (3:20:00)

GUIDE RUNNER

A Guide Runner is a person who provides verbal cues and navigation support on the marathon course to an athlete who has a vision impairment.The Para Athletics Division for athletes with Vision Impairments follows World Para Athletics Rules and Regulations which state:

  • T11 athletes must run with a Guide Runner.
  • T12 athletes have the option to run with a Guide Runner or run independently.
  • The B.A.A. will allow T13 athletes to use a guide in the Para Division and be eligible for prize money, but T13 athletes who elect to use a guide will not be eligible for WPA/USATF rankings or records.
  • The manner of guidance is through a tether.
  • Tethers must meet the tether requirements as defined by WPA Rules and Regulations. Tethers are subject to inspection by the IPC Technical Delegate prior to competition.
  • The tether may only be attached at the hand(s) or arm(s) of the pair.
  • The tether must be made of non-elastic material and be no longer than 50 cm at full extension and no less than 10 cm.
  • The Guide Runner must complete his or her task while running (or walking) and is not permitted to use any mechanical means of transport.
  • T11/T12 athletes are permitted to run with one Guide Runner to complete the marathon course or may use up to two Guide Runners in relay fashion. If two Guide Runners are used, a Guide Exchange must occur at the designated Guide Exchange Zone near the 20K mark on the course.
  • Athletes in this division are not permitted to run with two Guides at the same time.
  • A Guide Exchange must occur without hindrance to other race participants.
  • The athlete and Guide Runner shall retain the tether attachment from the start of the race until the end of the race. No release shall be allowed until after the athlete finishes the race, except during the process of interchange of Guide Runners, if applicable.
  • The athlete shall dictate the running style and cadence, not the Guide Runner.
  • The Guide Runner is not permitted to push, pull, or slingshot the athlete forward.
  • The Guide Runner may hand fluids to the athlete at designated fluid stations.
  • The Guide Runner must not cross the finish line ahead of the athlete.

  • Athletes in this division will be scored against one another by gender.
  • Athletes with vision impairments will also be scored among the open field.

  • The top three men and women in the T11/T12 division will receive awards.
  • The top three men and women in the T13 division will receive awards.
  • The top three men and women finishers will receive prize money.

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LOWER LIMB IMPAIRMENT T61-T64, T42-T44

This division provides a competitive opportunity for athletes who run with or without lower limb prostheses and who hold the appropriate national or World Para Athletics (WPA) classification

  • The athlete must hold a national or WPA classification T42 – T44, or T61 – T64 at the time of registration with an New (N), Review (R), or Confirmed (C) status.
  • A provisional status will also be considered.
  • Refer to Eligibility for more information.

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  • Athletes must achieve or better their respective qualifying time on a certified marathon course during the qualifying window.
  • Athletes have until the date they register to achieve their qualifying time.

 

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Athletes who hold a current national or World Para Athletics (WPA) classification T61-T64 or T42-T44 and who have achieved their respective high-performance standards during the current qualifying window may be considered for a complimentary entry:

Class: T42-T44; T61-T64

Men: 3:40:00

Women: 4:10:00

  • Athletes will be scored in this division by gender.
  • Athletes in this division will also be scored among the open field.

  • The top three men and women finishers in the T43/T61/T63 division will receive awards.
  • The top three men and women finishers in the T42/T44T62/T64 division will receive awards.
  • The top three men and women finishers will receive prize money.

LOWER LIMB IMPAIRMENT (T43/T61/T63 and T42/T44/T62/T64)

  • 1st Place: $3,000
  • 2nd Place: $2,000
  • 3rd Place: $1,500

UPPER LIMB IMPAIRMENT T45, T46, T47

This division provides a competitive opportunity for athletes with upper limb impairment and who hold the appropriate national or World Para Athletics (WPA) classification

  • The athlete must hold a national or WPA classification T45/T46/T47 at the time of registration with a New (N), Review (R), or Confirmed (C) status.
  • A provisional status will also be considered.
  • Refer to Eligibility for more information.

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Athletes who hold a current national or World Para Athletics (WPA) classification T45, T46, or T47 and who have achieved their respective high-performance standards during the current qualifying window may be considered for a complimentary entry:

  • Class: T45/T46/T47
  • Men: 2:50:00
  • Women: 3:20:00

This division follows World Para Athletics Rules and Regulations of competition.

  • Athletes will be scored in this division by gender.
  • Athletes will also be scored among the open field.

  • The top three men and women finishers will receive an award.
  • The top three men and women finishers will receive prize money.

UPPER LIMB IMPAIRMENT (T45-T47)

  • 1st Place: $3,000
  • 2nd Place: $2,000
  • 3rd Place: $1,500

COORDINATION IMPAIRMENT T35-T38

This division provides a competitive opportunity for athletes who have a coordination impairment and who hold the appropriate national or World Para Athletics (WPA) classification.

  • The athlete must hold a national or WPA classification T3-T38 at the time of registration with a New (N), Review (R), or Confirmed (C) status.
  • A provisional status will also be considered.
  • Refer to Eligibility for more information.

Table

  • Athletes must achieve or better their respective qualifying time on a certified marathon course during the qualifying window.
  • Athletes have until the date they register to achieve their qualifying time.
  • Please note – as a new Para Division in 2024, we will continue to evaluate the qualifying standards for this division moving forward.
  • If you are a T35-T38 athlete and have not hit your outlined standard but would still like to be considered for the Para Division, please email Taylor Wilson at TWilson@BAA.org for consideration.

 

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Athletes who hold a current national or World Para Athletics (WPA) classification T35-T38 and who have achieved their respective high-performance standards during the current qualifying window may be considered for a complimentary entry:

Class: T35-T38

  • Men: 3:00:00
  • Women: 3:30:00

This division follows World Para Athletics Rules and Regulations of competition.

  • Athletes will be scored in this division by gender.
  • Athletes will also be scored among the open field.

  • The top three men and women finishers will receive an award.
  • The top three men and women finishers will receive prize money.

COORDINATION IMPAIRMENT (T35/T38)

  • 1st Place: $3,000
  • 2nd Place: $2,000
  • 3rd Place: $1,500

INTELLECTUAL IMPAIRMENT T20

This division provides a competitive opportunity for athletes who have an intellectual impairment and who hold the appropriate national or World Para Athletics (WPA) classification.

  • The athlete must hold a national or WPA classification T20 at the time of registration with a New (N), Review (R), or Confirmed (C) status.
  • A provisional status will also be considered.
  • Refer to Eligibility for more information.

Class: T20

Description: Athletes who have an intellectual impairment

  • Athletes must achieve or better their respective qualifying time on a certified marathon course during the qualifying window.
  • Athletes have until the date they register to achieve their qualifying time.
  • Please note – as a new Para Division in 2024, we will continue to evaluate the qualifying standards for this division moving forward.
  • If you are a T20 athlete and have not hit your outlined standard but would still like to be considered for the Para Division, please email Taylor Wilson at TWilson@BAA.org for consideration.

table

Athletes who hold a current national or World Para Athletics (WPA) classification T20 and who have achieved their respective high-performance standards during the current qualifying window may be considered for a complimentary entry:

Class T20
Men: 2:50:00
Women: 3:20:00

This division follows World Para Athletics Rules and Regulations of competition.

  • Athletes will be scored in this division by gender.
  • Athletes will also be scored among the open field.

  • The top three men and women finishers will receive an award.
  • The top three men and women finishers will receive prize money.

INTELLECTUAL IMPAIRMENT (T20)

  1. First Place: $3,000
  2. Second Place: $2,000
  3. Third Place: $1,500

Contact

Para Athletes

Email: twilson@baa.org Address: 185 Dartmouth St Boston, MA 02116

Contact

High Performance Para Athletes

Email: mkshea@baa.org Address: 185 Dartmouth St Boston, MA 02116