Boston Marathon 2021 Will Host 20K Runners This October

BOSTON — Twenty-thousand runners will take part in the first Boston Marathon in nearly 30 months this fall, race organizers announced Monday.

The 125th running of the marathon is scheduled for Oct. 11. It was canceled last year and postponed this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Boston Athletic Association and city and state officials believe October will be safe enough to have 20,000 people take the hallowed journey from Hopkinton to Boylston Street.

There was no word on how officials plan on handling crowds.

"The B.A.A. has been working in close coordination with our local, city, and state partners to establish an appropriate field size that will allow for social distancing throughout the course, especially at the start and finish," said BAA President and CEO Tom Grilk said in a statement.

Online registration for the in-person race will take place April 20-23. Registration will not be on a first-come, first-served basis. Runners must have a valid qualifying time dating back to Sept. 15, 2018, to register.

Finishers will receive a special Unicorn medal commemorating the 125th year of the country's oldest marathon.

The marathon will still have a virtual option, which will take place from Oct. 8-10 and be open to the first 70,000 who register. Registration begins March 30.

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