The autopsies on all three were inconclusive as to cause of death. It worries me though with the new -5, -10, -20 system that there may be an increase in deaths, especially among runners trying for -5, due to adrenalin surges in the last mile to make that cut versus just going along and getting under the cut off time as was under the old system for qualifying.
My prediction is that within a decade, Boston will change their registration processes yet again, to follow in the path of London which is predominantly charity entrant, while tightening time standards (as NYC has done) to narrow the qualifying field further.
I haven't earned a qualifying time for Boston. It's a dream of mine to get to that point, having come close on a few occasions, with other races as spectacular flameouts somewhere in the second half. I will never go the charity route to get in, because to me, it would diminish the sense of accomplishment, but also the struggle and dedication to training that getting there requires. Obviously you've put in that time and dedication. It bothers me however to see first time marathoners getting to run at Boston.
I know a number of people who went the charity route. One told me point blank, "I'm not going to train any more to lose ten extra minutes to BQ". They both ran for causes that offered a bib, but didn't have any prior connection to or post race commitment to the cause. Not that they were required to have such, but it would have been nice versus just a temporary temporary marriage of convenience.
But charity runners are a small portion of the field, probably 4,000 other runners are there on complimentary entries, either as part of the official tour agency for BAA which sells travel packages in Europe to include an entry to the race. Then there are the entries given out to municipalities along the route of the course, local running clubs and official sponsors like John Hancock and JetBlue. I guess it's just the grease that's necessary to get the gears to operate the race every year.
If it were an ideal race, Boston would remain qualifier only as it once was. But that is not going to be feasible.