From B.A.A. press release.
September 5, 2002

Adjusted Qualifying Times Expected to draw field size of 20,000;
B.A.A. Announces Official Charities for 107th Race.

BOSTON, Mass. (September 5, 2002) - The Boston Athletic Association and John Hancock Financial Services, Inc. announce that online registration for the 2003 B.A.A. Boston Marathon will begin on Monday, September 9 at the BAA website

Qualified entrants may apply online to participate in the 107th race, to be held on April 21, 2003, until the entry deadline of February 3, 2003 or until the maximum field size of 20,000 is reached, whichever comes first. For the 18th consecutive year, John Hancock Financial Services, Inc. is principal sponsor of the event.

For the first time in 13 years, the Boston Athletic Association has adjusted the qualifying standards for runners in the Boston Marathon. The new qualifying times affect runners who are 45-years of age and older, and three new age groupings have been created: 70 to 74-years old; 75 to 79-years old; and 80-years and older.

In conjunction with the adjustment in the qualifying standards and new for the 107th Boston Marathon, the maximum field size will be increased to 20,000 athletes. The Boston Marathon was limited to 15,000 participants in 2001 and 2002.

To qualify for the 107th Boston Marathon, athletes must meet the designated time standard that corresponds to their age and gender group. Qualifying times must have been run between September 28, 2001 and February 2, 2003 at a certified marathon.

In addition to entry by achieving the qualifying standards, approximately 1,000 participants will partake in the Boston Marathon Charity Program, which in 2002 raised a total of $6.8 million. The B.A.A. has named the 16 official charitable organizations for the 107th B.A.A. Boston Marathon, including three charities new to the program: Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism; Massachusetts Amateur Sports Foundation; and, Vocational Adjustment Center.

The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism supports financially disadvantaged families who need assistance in caring for their children with autism and funds research and education into the causes of childhood autism. The Massachusetts Amateur Sports Foundation promotes athletics, education, sportsmanship and personal enrichment to over 9,000 Massachusetts residents of all ages and abilities.

The Vocational Adjustment Center is a private non-profit agency which provides training and employment services to adults with disabilities and others in need of assistance to achieve career goals and improve their quality of life.

The three new charities join returning Massachusetts-based chapters of the following charities: American Liver Foundation; The Brookline Center; Children's Hospital Boston; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; The Healthworks Foundation; Home for Little Wanderers; Leukemia & Lymphoma Society; Massachusetts Spina Bifida Association; Michael Carter Lisnow Respite Center; Muscular Dystrophy Association; National Multiple Sclerosis Society; New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans; and, West End House Boys & Girls Club of Allston-Brighton.

For a complete list of the qualifying times, go to the BAA website or contact the B.A.A.'s Jack Fleming or Julia Beeson (media information) at 617-236-1652.