Times not on their side

Some top marathon finishers won’t be paid

Where you start in the Boston Marathon may be more important than where you finish.

That’s the quirky situation that has arisen in recent days after the focus turned to three non-elite women runners whose finish times placed them among the top 15, but, under the rules, are not eligible to receive prize money.

Before you cry “foul,” keep in mind there were two separate races on Monday and timed separately, as well.

The issue, which was initially reported on several websites, involves three women who started the race in Wave 1, at 10 a.m., some 28 minutes after the Elite Women’s Start. They are fifth-place finisher Jessica Chichester, of Brooklyn, N.Y., who ran a time of 2 hours, 45 minutes, 23 seconds, Veronica Jackson, of Weehawken, N.J. (2:49:41), who finished 13th, and Rebecca Snelson, of New London, Conn. (2:49:50), who was 14th.

The elite race winner was Desiree Linden, who clocked 2:39:54.

Principal race sponsor John Hancock awards $830,500 in total prize money for the event. The women’s fifth-place finisher wins $15,000. A 13thplace finish earns $1,800, while 14th is worth $1,700.

Keep in mind, though, that Chichester didn’t actually sprint by the elite women who were finishers Nos. 6, 7 and 8.

For example, the actual elite fourth-place finisher, Andover’s Rachel Hyland of the host BAA Club, who ran 2:44:29, reached the finish tape on Boylston Street at 12:16:29 p.m (time of day). Chichester, who ran the aforementioned 2:45:23, didn’t reach the finish until 12:46:52. The elite sixth-place finisher, Nicole Dimercurio (2:45:52) hit the finish at 12:17:56, almost a half-hour before Chichester but 29 seconds behind in net time. Thus, two separate races.

“The Elite Women’s Start was implemented here in 2004 to highlight head-tohead competition. Every AWMM (Abbott World Marathon Majors) event, and other leading prize money races have virtually the same policy as ours,’’ said Michael Pieroni, the athletic performance director for the BAA.

“Open and Masters division women who consider themselves eligible for prize money in the Boston Marathon must declare themselves as a contestant for the EWS. … Race officials can assist in determining which start — EWS or 10 a.m. — is most appropriate. Prize money will be awarded for contestants in the EWS only. Women, who choose not to start in the EWS, waive the right to compete for the prize money. Timing and scoring is done on gun time.’’

As a result, under the rules, Chichester, Jackson and Snelson are not eligible for the prize awards.

Elite finishers Molly Huddle (16th, 2:50:28) of Providence, Serena Burla (20th, 2:53:03), and Kelly Calway (24th, 2:54:00), will be included in the official race results after BAA organizers adjudicate the entire race in the next month.

“It’s probably once in a hundred years that this would happen,’’ said Pieroni.

Tom Grilk, the Boston Athletic Association’s chief executive officer, is overseas for tomorrow’s London Marathon and could not be reached.