BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Marathon will return to a full field of 30,000 for next year’s race—and all runners will need to be fully vaccinated. The Boston Athletic Association (BAA) says proof of vaccination with a World Health Organization-certified vaccine will be required to pick up bib numbers before the race on April 18.
The 125th Boston Marathon scheduled for April 2020 was postponed and then canceled, and the 2021 race was postponed until October—the first fall race in the event’s history. Those in the reduced field of about 16,000 were required to show proof of vaccination or pass a COVID test to take part.
BAA President Tom Grilk said 93% of the athletes in this year’s race were vaccinated. “As we look to return to the traditional Patriots’ Day date for the first time since 2019 and allow for as many athletes to participate as safely as possible, we know that a fully vaccinated field is the appropriate requirement to implement,” he said. “We had a 93% vaccination rate among our 125th Boston Marathon participants and want to do our part to continue to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 as we continue our return to racing.”
Registration for the upcoming Boston Marathon begins on Monday.
Masks are discarded at the starting line as runners cross for the start of the 125th Boston Marathon, Monday, Oct. 11, 2021, in Hopkinton, Mass. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm) 
Acting Mayor of Boston Kim Janey places the wreath on the head of Diana Kipyogei, of Kenya, after she won the women’s division of the 125th Boston Marathon Monday, Oct. 11, 2021, in Boston. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
