PARA ATHLETICS DIVISIONS
- 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.
- Registration for Para Athletics Divisions for qualified athletes will occur September 12-16, 2022 in Athletes' Village.
- To apply, select "Para Athletics Divisions" in the Para Athlete section of the race registration form and complete the subsequent fields.
VISION IMPAIRMENT T11/T12 and T13
The division provides a competitive opportunity for athletes with vision impairments who hold a national or WPA classification.
ELIGIBILITY
- 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.
CLASSIFICATION PROFILE
| CLASS |
PROFILE |
SNELLEN EQUIVALENT |
| T11 |
Visual acuity is poorer than LogMAR 2.60. |
N/A |
| T12 |
Visual acuity ranges from LogMAR 1.50 to 2.60 (inclusive), and/or the visual field is constricted to a diameter of less than 10 degrees. |
20/630 – 20/7962 (Feet)
6/189 – 6/2389 (Meters) |
| T13 |
Visual acuity ranges from LogMAR 1.40 to 1 (inclusive), and/or the visual field is constricted to a diameter of less than 40 degrees. |
20/200 – 20/500 (Feet)
6/60 – 6/150 (Meters) |
QUALIFYING STANDARDS
- 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 2023 Boston Marathon opened September 1, 2021 and will close on September 16, 2022 at 5PM EST.
- Athletes have until the date they register to achieve their qualifying time.
| CLASS |
AGE |
MEN |
WOMEN |
| T13 |
18-39 |
3:40:00 |
4:10:00 |
| |
40-49 |
3:55:00 |
4:25:00 |
| |
50 and over |
4:15:00 |
4:45:00 |
| T11 / T12 |
18-39 |
3:50:00 |
4:20:00 |
| |
40-49 |
4:05:00 |
4:35:00 |
| |
50 and over |
4:25:00 |
4:55:00 |
HIGH-PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
- 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 15 minutes (3:15:00)
RULES OF COMPETITION
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, 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.
FIELD SIZE
- The combined maximum field size of the Para Athletics Division for ambulatory Para athletes of the 2023 Boston Marathon is 50.
SCORING
- Athletes in this division will be scored against one another by gender.
- Athletes with vision impairments will also be scored among the open field.
AWARDS & PRIZE MONEY
- 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, provided by John Hancock.
| PLACE |
VISION IMPAIRMENT (T11/T12 and T13) |
| 1st |
$1,500 |
| 2nd |
$750 |
| 3rd |
$500 |
LOWER LIMB IMPAIRMENT T61-T64
This division provides a competitive opportunity for athletes who run with lower limb prostheses and who hold the appropriate national or World Para Athletics (WPA) classification
ELIGIBILITY
- The athlete must hold a national or WPA classification 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.
CLASSIFICATION PROFILE
| CLASS |
DESCRIPTION |
| T61 / T63 |
Athletes with double leg above the knee amputation who run with prostheses (T61) or Athletes with single above the knee amputation who run with prostheses (T63). |
| T62 / T64 |
Athletes with double below the knee amputation who run with prostheses (T62) or single below the knee amputation who run with prostheses (T64). |
QUALIFYING STANDARDS
- Athletes must achieve or better their respective qualifying time on a certified marathon course during the qualifying window.
- The qualifying window for the 2023 Boston Marathon opened September 1, 2021.
- Athletes have until the date they register to achieve their qualifying time.
| CLASS |
QUALIFYING STANDARD (BOTH MEN AND WOMEN, 18 YEARS OF AGE AND OVER) |
| T61 - T64 |
5:40:00 |
HIGH-PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
- Athletes who hold a current national or World Para Athletics (WPA) classification T61 – T64 and who have achieved their respective high-performance standards during the current qualifying window may be considered for a complimentary entry:
| CLASS |
MEN |
WOMEN |
| T61 - T64 |
3:40:00 |
4:10:00 |
RULES OF COMPETITION
FIELD SIZE
- The combined maximum field size of the Para Athletics Division for ambulatory Para athletes is 40.
SCORING
- Athletes will be scored in this division by gender.
- Athletes in this division will also be scored among the open field.
AWARDS
- The top three men and women finishers in the T61/T63 division will receive awards.
- The top three men and women finishers in the T62/T64 division will receive awards.
- The top three men and women finishers will receive prize money, provided by John Hancock.
| PLACE |
LOWER LIMB IMPAIRMENT (T61/T63 and T62/T64) |
| 1st |
$1,500 |
| 2nd |
$750 |
| 3rd |
$500 |
UPPER LIMB IMPAIRMENT T45, T46
This division provides a competitive opportunity for athletes with upper limb impairment and who hold the appropriate national or World Para Athletics (WPA) classification
ELIGIBILITY
- The athlete must hold a national or WPA classification T45/T46 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.
CLASSIFICATION PROFILE
| CLASS |
DESCRIPTION |
| T45 |
Athletes with double arm impairment through the elbow. |
| T46 |
Athletes with single arm impairment through the elbow. |
QUALIFYING STANDARDS
- Athletes must achieve or better their respective qualifying time on a certified marathon course during the qualifying window.
- The qualifying window for the 2023 Boston Marathon opened September 1, 2021.
- Athletes have until the date they register to achieve their qualifying time.
| CLASS |
QUALIFYING STANDARD (BOTH MEN AND WOMEN, 18 YEARS OF AGE AND OVER) |
| T45/T46 |
4:55:00 |
HIGH-PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
- Athletes who hold a current national or World Para Athletics (WPA) classification T45 or T46 and who have achieved their respective high-performance standards during the current qualifying window may be considered for a complimentary entry:
| CLASS |
MEN |
WOMEN |
| T45/T46 |
2:50:00 |
3:20:00 |
RULES OF COMPETITION
FIELD SIZE
- The combined maximum field size of the Para Athletics Division for ambulatory Para athletes is 50.
SCORING
- Athletes will be scored in this division by gender.
- Athletes will also be scored among the open field.
AWARDS
- The top three men and women finishers will receive an award.
- The top three men and women finishers will receive prize money, provided by John Hancock.
| PLACE |
UPPER LIMB IMPAIRMENT (T45/T46) |
| 1st |
$1,500 |
| 2nd |
$750 |
| 3rd |
$500 |
