Marathon mandates vax or test
Race set for Oct. 11 will require vaccination or negative test
The Boston Marathon next month will require participants to either prove they’ve been fully vaccinated or they’ve gotten a recent negative COVID-19 test before the race.
While entrants have the option of either vaccination or testing, the Boston Athletic Association has “strongly recommended” that all participants, staff and volunteers are vaccinated before the Oct. 11 marathon.
“Participants will need to provide proof of vaccination OR get tested prior to bib number pick up,” the Boston Marathon tweeted on Thursday.
“Upon vaccine verification or negative COVID-19 test, participants will receive a bracelet that must be worn to pick up bib numbers, board transportation & receive a medal,” the Boston Marathon added. “Masks are required indoors, on transportation & in medical tents, but not while running.”
The race was moved from the traditional April date on Patriots Day to the fall because of coronavirus concerns during the spring.
Last year’s in-person race was canceled, so organizers set up a virtual run all around the world. In addition to the in-person race on Oct. 11, there will also be a virtual run this year.
This year’s in-person Boston Marathon will feature a reduced field size, rolling start and socially distanced expo.
Vaccine verification of participants will happen from Oct. 8 to Oct. 10 at the Boston Marathon Expo. Entrants may bring an original paper copy, digital copy, photocopy, or photo of their vaccination proof.
The Boston Athletic Association will work with a third-party testing provider for test administration and results tracking. Testing will begin no earlier than 72 hours before the race start times on Oct. 11.
Tested participants will not receive immediate access to enter the Boston Marathon Expo for bib number pick-up, and will be required to wait for confirmation of test results.
“The fastest path to pick up numbers for the 125th Boston Marathon is being fully vaccinated,” the Boston Athletic Association said in a statement.
Any entrant who tests positive for COVID prior to the race will not be allowed to participate in the marathon, and will be refunded their entry fee. Participants will not be refunded the one-time $25 fee charged at the point of registration to support COVID mitigation efforts, including testing.
Entrants will not be able to defer their entry to a future year.
Participants must wear masks on race-day buses, including those transporting athletes from Boston to Hopkinton pre-race and from Boston to Hopkinton post-race.