BAA Invites 2013 Non-Finishers to Run 2014 Boston Marathon
By Matt Pepin, Boston.com Staff
The Boston Athletic Association has invited runners who were prevented from finishing the 2013 Boston Marathon because of the bombings near the finish line to participate in the 2014 Boston Marathon.
"The opportunity to run down Boylston Street and to cross the finish line amid thousands of spectators is a significant part of the entire Boston Marathon experience," BAA executive director Tom Grilk said in a press release. "With the opportunity to return and participate in 2014, we look forward to inviting back these athletes and we expect that most will renew their marathon training commitment. Boston spectators are known for their impassioned support and unbridled enthusiasm, and they will give these returning athletes some of the loudest cheers at next year's race. We want to thank our participants for their patience as we continue to work through the details of arranging this accommodation for them, and we ask for continued patience from the running community as we plan the 2014 Boston Marathon next April."
The rest: http://www.boston.com/sports/marathon/blog/2013/05/baa_invites_2013_non-finishers.html
Several of my friends were prevented from finishing. Under normal circumstances, they would have to re-qualify by running another marathon between now and April, and even then, their chances of qualifying were slim due to the volume of people applying to race. When they got this news this morning, many of them burst into tears.
Yes indeed.
