For Release: Wednesday, July 13, 2011
B.A.A. Half Marathon Reaches 7,000-entrant Field Size Limit for
11th Annual Race in Less Than Four Hours
BOSTON
ÛÒ The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) today announced that
registration for the 2011 B.A.A. Half Marathon, presented by Dana-Farber
Cancer Institute and The Jimmy Fund, has closed after its 7,000-entrant
field size limit was reached in three hours, 50 minutes. The date of
this yearÛªs race is Sunday, October 9, 2011.
The B.A.A.
Half Marathon is run along Boston and BrooklineÛªs Emerald Necklace park
system. The start and finish location for this yearÛªs race is in
BostonÛªs Franklin Park near White Stadium and the Franklin Park Zoo. The
race begins at 8:30 a.m. on the Sunday of the Columbus Day holiday
weekend.
ÛÏWeÛªve witnessed a quick sell out of our B.A.A.
Half Marathon in recent years, and weÛªre pleased that so many runners
continue to challenge themselves through participation in B.A.A.
events,Û said B.A.A. Executive Director Tom Grilk. ÛÏThe B.A.A. Half
Marathon is popular among runners both because of the scenic course
along the Emerald Necklace park system in Boston and Brookline and the
opportunity to participate in a B.A.A. event during the Fall season.Û
Since
the raceÛªs inception in 2001, the B.A.A. has directed a portion of the
entry fees towards the Emerald Necklace Conservancy which works to
preserve, maintain, and promote the historic park system. The Emerald
Necklace park system was developed by AmericaÛªs first landscape
architect, Frederick Law Olmstead, and the B.A.A. Half Marathon features
recreational use and appreciation of the landscape, waterways and
parkways as they were intended at the time of design in the late 1800s.
The database of entrants in the 2011 B.A.A. Half Marathon is located here.
(http://www.baa.org/races/half-marathon/participant-information/2011-entry-lists.aspx)
The field of professional runners who will vie for a total prize money purse of $30,000 will be released in September.
The
B.A.A. Half Marathon is presented annually by Dana-Farber Cancer
Institute and The Jimmy Fund. Through its Running the Race Against
Cancer® team of participants, nearly 600 runners will advance cancer
research and improve patient care through their fundraising efforts.
Interested runners whoÛªve missed the chance to register through the
B.A.A. may still be able to join the Dana-Farber team. Visit their
website here.
(http://www.rundanafarber.org/faf/home/ccp.asp?ievent=442415&ccp=112822)
Established
in 1887, the Boston Athletic Association is a non-profit organization
with a mission of managing athletic events and promoting a healthy
lifestyle through sports, especially running. The B.A.A.’s Boston
Marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathon, and the organization
manages other local events and supports comprehensive charity, youth,
and year-round running programs. Since 1986, the principal sponsor of
the Boston Marathon has been John Hancock Financial. The Boston Marathon
is part of the World Marathon Majors along with the Virgin London
Marathon, BMW Berlin Marathon, Bank of America Chicago Marathon and Real Berlin Marathon.