The Boston Athletic Association (BAA) has announced that the 125th Boston Marathon has been scheduled for 11 October 2021. The event, which is normally held in April to celebrate Patriot’s Day, has been pushed back to the autumn to maximise the opportunity for a successful event.
Tom Grilk, President and CEO of the BAA, said “We announce the 2021 Boston Marathon date with a cautious optimism, understanding full well that we will continue to be guided by science and our continued collaborative work with local, city, state, and public health officials.”
The Boston Marathon is the oldest annual marathon event in the world. The inaugural race was held in 1897 with just 15 participants and it has grown into a super-event with 30,000 participants and 500,000 spectators lining the streets to cheer them on.
Today's news comes after the 2020 Boston Marathon was cancelled for the first time in its 124-year industry due to the Coronavirus pandemic. To help compensate, the organisers ran a virtual marathon.
The BAA confirmed that the 2021 will also include a virtual race option for those who cannot make it in person. Additional details including field size for the in-person race, registration dates, safety measures and protocols, and participant requirements that will be announced in due course.
