Registration opens on Monday for the Boston Marathon

There are few things more exciting for many runners than receiving that card in the mail from the B.A.A. that says that you’ve been accepted into the Boston Marathon.

But after a chaotic registration period two years ago and extremely high demand for entry into the coveted race, organizers have increased their famous standard times, and also implemented a multi-tiered meritocratic registration process. Now the B.A.A. seems committed to ensuring that the fastest runners get the best opportunity to gain entry.

So, here’s how it will unfold, beginning Monday, Sept. 10:

Starting at 10:00 a.m. Eastern, online registration will open for the 2013 race only for those that have qualified with a time that is 20 minutes or faster than their age group qualifying standard.

This window will be open for the fastest qualifiers only until Wednesday, Sept. 12 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern, when those that have qualified with a time that is ten minutes or greater than their age group qualifying standard will have an opportunity to register. This is all of course only if there are still spaces available.

Then, on Friday, Sept. 14 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern, those that qualified with a time five minutes or better than their standard may enter. Again, at this stage it’s all based on space availability.

Week two of registration begins on Monday, Sept. 17 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern. It seems as though organizers will close registration briefly between Saturday, Sept. 15 at 10:00 a.m. until the Monday morning.

Week two will allow anyone remaining who has qualified to enter, space permitting. The catch is that during this period, which ends on Sept. 21, the fastest applications (based on their relative age/gender qualifying time) will be accepted first.

The last period of registration, if necessary, will begin on Sept. 24 if any spaces remain. During this period organizers will accept any applications that meet the qualifying standards.

Please note that the Boston Marathon has sold out very quickly in recent years and registering during the earliest possible period would be wise.

The B.A.A. will notify all accepted runners by Oct. 1. The window for running a qualifying time for the 2014 edition of the race will begin on Sept. 22, 2012.

Click here to see the various age group qualifying times for the 2013 Boston Marathon.

Check with Canadian Running’s Facebook page and Twitter feed during the registration period, as we will provide any updates to the process as they become available.