The Boston Marathon is every professional runner’s main dream and goal. Every year, the entire running world focuses on this event, which gathers more than 30,000 runners.
If you plan on participating in the Boston Marathon in April 2023 or are just looking for more information about the event, this article is for you.
What is the Boston Marathon?
The Boston Marathon is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious marathon events. It is organized by the Boston Athletic Association and has taken place since 1897. Also known as the “Patriots Day Race,” it is held on or just after Patriots’ Day – when Massachusetts citizens celebrate the battle at Lexington Green and Old North Bridge in Concord on April 19, 1775, marking the official beginning of the American Revolution.
The Boston Marathon is a member of the AIMS and the World Marathon Majors league. To qualify for it is like winning the Grammies or the Oscars in the running world.
Specialists do not register world records here, as the height difference over the course does not meet IAAF requirements.
If you want to be inspired by all the details of this world-famous run, you can watch Boston the Documentary.
When is the Boston Marathon in 2023?
Beginning in 1969, the Boston Marathon has always been held on Patriots day, which will be the 17 of April in 2023.
How Long is the Boston Marathon?
As with any other marathon, this one is 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Boston.
What is the Boston Marathon Course Like?
The legendary course starts in Hopkinton, MA, and the Boston Marathon finish line is on Boylston Street in Boston, MA. The main features of the Boston Marathon route include
- Wellesley College students’ famous “Scream Tunnel,”
- The challenging “Heartbreak Hill” in Newton, and
- The right turn on Hereford Street followed by a left turn on Boylston Street, revealing the finish line.
To know more, examine the Boston Marathon map here.
What Time Does the Boston Marathon Start?
According to the official website, the Boston marathon start time depends on which group you are placed in.
The Boston marathon times:
According to the official site, athletes have six hours (6:00:00) from when the last starter crosses the start line to complete the course. The B.A.A. uses a timing tag attached to the back of your bib number to score the race.
How to Register?
Boston Marathon registration for 2023 was closed in the middle of September 2022. The procedure was the same as in previous years: any runner who meets the qualifying time in their respective age group at a certified running event can fill out an application form.
The Boston Marathon 2023 qualifying window began on September 1, 2021, and ended on September 16, 2022. As such, runners can use any run results between these dates for 2023 registration.
How Much is Entering the Boston Marathon?
The entry fee for the 2023 race is $225 for U.S. residents and $235 for international residents. (For the 2022 race, the cost was $205 for U.S. runners and $255 for international runners.)
What are the Boston Marathon Qualifying Times?
The main question for every beginner is how to qualify for the Boston Marathon. You should run an event with appropriate certification (USATF, AIMS, or foreign equivalent certified courses) – be sure to contact the race you wish to use to qualify for the Boston Marathon to see if they have a current certification.
Boston Marathon qualifying times in 2023 are based on officially submitted net time (also known as chip time). This year they are as follows:
When is the Qualifying Window for the 128th Boston Marathon?
The qualifying window for the 2024 Boston Marathon, scheduled to take place on April 15, 2024, began on September 1, 2022, and will continue through approximately September 15, 2023. Registration details for the race will be announced at the 2023 event.
I Didn’t Surpass the Time Qualifier – What Can I Do to Participate in the Event?
If you didn’t pass the qualifying time for the Boston Marathon or didn’t meet the registration standard, you still have a chance to get in! You may become one of the 5000 participants from the 43 organizations the B.A.A. has chosen as an Official Charity Program! In this case, you should contact each organization directly, as each one manages its own application process, athlete selection, fundraising minimums, requirements, and deadlines.
By the way, Danica Patrick got in the Boston Marathon this way – as a part of the Light Foundation’s team.
Interesting fact: the B.A.A. Official Charity Program and the John Hancock Non-Profit Program have raised more than $460 million since 1989, including $35.6 million via the 2022 event.
Cutoff, Tracking, and Prize Money – What Else You Should Know?
What is the Boston marathon cutoff in 2023?
Historically, runners who beat their qualifying standard by a larger amount of time have a better chance of getting into the Boston Marathon. Because of field size limitations and many people wanting to participate in the event, a varying “cut-off” time (a time below the minimum qualifying standard for age and gender) has been established. This time is different each year. For example, in 2022, this time was 0:00.
When is the Boston marathon lottery in 2023?
This running event doesn’t have a lottery because of the huge number of applicants and time qualifiers. Thus, the organizers cannot provide additional space for lottery participants. As it is, not all who qualify for the Boston Marathon get in. Besides, the B.A.A. also provides some places for those running for charity.
How to track Boston Marathon runners?
There is an app for that: download it, and you can track each Boston Marathon runner in real-time, observe interactive course maps and social media, take selfies and get access to all the information you need about the event.
What Is Boston Marathon Prize Money?
Since 1986, the top finishers have received more than $20 million in prize money. All the Prize money at the Boston Marathon is equally distributed amongst men and women in the Open, Masters, and Wheelchair Division.
The 1st place winner gets
- $150,000 – for the open division;
- $25,000 – for the wheelchair division;
- $5,000 – for the master’s division;
- $1,500 – for the para division.
See the complete list of prize money here.
There are rumors that the event will change its official sponsor, as John Hancock insurance company, the event’s principal sponsor since 1986, has decided not to renew its contract with the B. A. A.
The official representatives of the Boston Marathon will announce a new sponsor right after the 2023 event.
Who Won the Boston Marathon?
The last winner of the event was Kenyan runner Evans Chebet. He finished in 2 hours, 8 minutes, and 41 seconds. American Daniel Romanchuk won his second career men’s wheelchair title in 1:26:58. Switzerland’s Manuela Schar won her second straight Boston crown and fourth overall, finishing in 1:41:08.
If you want to know all Boston marathon results – here you can read about all the winners for the long history of the marathon.
Stars of the Boston Marathon
It is not a secret that this running event gathers a lot of elite runners each year. Usually, the committee doesn’t announce those names until late January or early February, a few months before its mid-April race date. Still, you may be sure that Desi Linden will be there in 2023!
Wrap Up
It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or a skilled runner – the Boston Marathon may become your primary goal. Use this article to learn all the necessary information and plan your next run to be closer to qualification.
