Boston Marathon 2021 entries

2020 race shouldn't have anything to do with it. If I remember correctly, you had a choice of either (1) running 2020 virtually and your card was charged or (2) getting a complete refund. This should have cleared out all of the 2020 entries. The only difference with 2021 should be the qualifying period. It has been extended all the way back to September 15, 2018. This will probably result in more qualifiers but not TOO many more than usual due to the fact that so few marathons were run after March 2020.

lesmac wrote:

Anyone know what Boston 2021 registration will look like? If you're well under the qualifying times (say by an hour, female), will you get in? Or will it be limited to those who were previously registered for the 2020 race?

No one knows and no one will know for a few months. They’re allowing races going back at least 2.5 years. What are your predictions? Btw you don’t even have the faintest idea of the field size so good luck. I’ll even give you an over/under of 10k participants and you’d still be foolish to guess.

So are you saying entries will be by time only (i.e. no lottery, assuming you hit a qualifying time)? With a 2:46 PR (woman) am I in, in your estimation?

Too many variables. Before we can even address your questions, the first question to ask is:

Will there even be a live mass participation race in 2021?

I'm hopeful, but we need to see something akin to herd immunity on the Boston course and among the participants (e.g. at least 70% vaccinated/immune) and infection levels under control (what does that number look like?). For that to happen, much needs to change from now until registration can open. I'm not saying it won't, but I'm watching the risk to the live race increase as we approach Easter which is roughly when the BAA will have to make a Go / No Go decision with the live race.

Now to your question. Let's assume there is a live race. To answer you, I have the following questions:

1) What will the field size be? Will the live race be "elite only"?

2) How many of the total estimated BQs are duplicate? I personally have 2 in this time period and know several friends with 3.

3) Will there be regions of the country and world restricted from participating in the live race due to ongoing high infection levels? OR Will the live race be limited to US participants?

4) How many runners are deciding to run one of the other 5 world majors and skip Boston this year?

5) How many runners will decide to even apply to be accepted in a live Boston 2021?

6) Will the virtual race accept anyone qualified but otherwise rejected from the live race?

7) Will the BAA consider an alternative course to better improve odds of having the race (I hope not as the course is part of the tradition)?

Answer these, and I can tell you what 2021 entries will look like.

If you really are a 2:46 female you should be lobbying BAA for entry

lesmac wrote:

So are you saying entries will be by time only (i.e. no lottery, assuming you hit a qualifying time)? With a 2:46 PR (woman) am I in, in your estimation?

The fact that you didn’t include running a 2;46 as a woman in your OP is weird. Btw there is no lottery. There’s never been a lottery. Not including your (very good) time and thinking there’s a lottery make me suspect you’re lying about something. I find it incredibly unbelievable that you’re talented enough to run a 2:46, but live in a vacuum of runners that don’t know if Boston has a lottery. Definite head scratcher.

I've never run Boston (or looked into it really since i have no desire to train through winter and run a spring marathon) and assumed you'd need to be sub 2:35 at least to qualify as elite. Thanks for the information.

Where have ya been? Boston ran into some trouble after women in the non-elite field ran faster times than elites in 2018 so they changed things for 2019. I think they (BAA) caused the trouble themselves and should have just paid out everyone (think they ended up doing this but they let it become a whole thing) in a weird year & just moved on because it was a not normal year. So now the elite women race in an expanded field and the elite men race in an expanded field. But the masses start with a gap after the elite men and can't finish in the money. There is basically a winner of the non-elite/mass race now.

I think they used the OTQ standards for the elite fields in 2019 so 2:19 & 2:45. But I remember folks a little slower petitioning to get into the elite fields and that working out. If you've run 2:46 you should have no problem getting into the race regardless. Then you would have to consider if you want to try to get into the elite field or run with the masses.

The nice part about being a 2:46 runner at Boston is that you'll have a ton of company. You might finish 500th & PR with a low-2:40s. Say you're in 2:40ish shape so you petition to get into the elite field and they let you in. It could be very lonely in the women's elite field or a lot harder on a bad weather day compared to running in a huge pack running that same pace in the mass race. Would be a cool experience to be in the elite field but you might be running solo versus being able to tuck into a big pack.

I think, like others are saying, this conversation is a bit premature rn. Who knows if Boston will happen. If you can find a spring/summer race to run 2:44 you could punch your ticket into the elite race. Something to think about.

Bump

Fall Racer 2021 wrote:

Bump

Why? What would be the purpose of bumping a thread that has been answered?