2019 Boston Marathon® Qualifier Acceptances

2019 Boston Marathon® Qualifier Acceptances

Adjustments to Future Boston Marathon Qualifying Standards Also Announced

BOSTON - The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) today continued its notification to applicants of their acceptance into the 2019 Boston Marathon®. In preparation for the 2019 Boston Marathon, the B.A.A. implemented the same registration process for qualified runners as it used in the 2012 through 2018 Boston Marathons, allowing the fastest qualifiers to register first. The 123rd Boston Marathon will be held on Monday, April 15, 2019 and will mark the 34th consecutive year that the event will have John Hancock as its principal sponsor.

Qualifiers who were four minutes, 52 seconds (4:52) or faster than the qualifying time for their age group and gender have been accepted into the 2019 Boston Marathon. A total of 23,074 qualified applicants have been accepted to date or are in the process of being accepted, pending verification of their qualifying performance.

A total of 30,458 applications were received during the registration time period for qualifiers, a significant increase from recent years. With the increase in applications received, 7,384 qualifiers were unable to be accepted due to field size limitations. In cooperation with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the eight cities and towns along the Boston Marathon route, the B.A.A. has set the field size for the 2019 Boston Marathon at 30,000 official entrants.

More than 80% of the 2019 Boston Marathon field will be comprised of athletes who have met the qualifying standards. The balance will consist of invitational entrants, including runners participating as part of the Boston Marathon’s Official Charity Program and John Hancock’s Non-Profit Program, as well as invited elite athletes. Participants who ran on behalf of more than 260 non-profit organizations raised $36.6 million for charity at the 2018 Boston Marathon.

After thoroughly reviewing this year’s applications, and comparing this year’s submission data to trends seen in the past five years, the B.A.A. also today announced adjusted qualifying standards for all age groups looking ahead to the 2020 Boston Marathon. This data-informed assessment and decision factors in the increase of faster times run by Boston Marathon qualifiers; the number of applicants within each age division and gender; and the annual number of applications received since 2014. Qualifying standards will be five minutes faster for all age groups, starting with the 2020 Boston Marathon.

“For countless runners, participating in and completing the Boston Marathon is a life-long athletic goal. We look forward to welcoming 30,000 participants from across the globe to the 123rd running of the Boston Marathon next April,” said Tom Grilk, B.A.A. Chief Executive Officer. “The B.A.A. has worked hard to ensure an equitable and fair process for gaining entry into the Boston Marathon. Due to the unprecedented support and interest in being part of next year’s race, the B.A.A. unfortunately is unable to accept all deserving participants who achieved hard-earned qualifying times. We thank them for their running efforts and desire to run with us.”

Grilk continued: “We have adjusted the qualifying standards for the 2020 Boston Marathon, as the number of marathoners who have submitted applications to run the Boston Marathon has increased significantly during the most recent two registration years. We forecast the interest in running Boston as continuing. We know that the running community pays close attention to our qualifying times for their age group because they are important factors in their training, racing and race selection. As such, for the 2020 Boston Marathon, adjustments to all age group qualifying standards will be five minutes (5:00) faster than previous standards.”

Since 1970, the Boston Marathon has featured qualifying standards as a means of entry. The last time the B.A.A. updated qualifying standards was for the 2013 race, when all qualifying times regardless of age and gender were lowered by five minutes. A breakdown of adjusted Boston Marathon qualifying standards can be found below.

Registration for runners who met the B.A.A.’s Qualifying Standards for the 2019 Boston Marathon began on Monday, September 10 using a “rolling admission” schedule and continued through Saturday, September 15. Registration re-opened on Monday, September 17 and application submissions were received through Wednesday, September 19. Registration for the Boston Marathon is not first-come, first-served, but rather allows for a more systematic and orderly application procedure with the fastest qualifiers of those who submitted entries accepted.

• 30,458 applications were received during the registration period for qualifiers.
• 23,074 qualified applicants have been accepted to date or are in the process of being accepted, pending verification of their qualifying performance.
• 7,384 applicants were unable to be accepted due to the large number of eligible qualifiers who submitted an application for entry combined with field size limitations.
• This year’s ‘Cut-Off’ time needed to gain entry into the Boston Marathon was 4 minutes, 52 seconds or faster than the qualifying time for each respective age group and gender.

During the registration period, the breakdown of accepted Qualifiers was as follows:

• 5,256 Qualifiers met their qualifying time by 20 minutes, 00 seconds or faster.
• 8,620 Qualifiers met their qualifying time by 10 minutes, 00 seconds or faster.
• 8,545 Qualifiers met their qualifying time by 05 minutes, 00 seconds or faster.
• 220 Qualifiers met their qualifying time by 4 minutes, 52 seconds or faster.
• 433 Qualifiers were accepted based on finishing 10 or more consecutive Boston Marathons.
• 270 Qualified Athletes with Disabilities have been accepted, or are expected to be accepted, through the conclusion of the Athletes with Disabilities registration period.

Qualifying performances for the 2019 Boston Marathon must have been run between September 16, 2017 and September 19, 2018. Notices to those accepted will be issued by the B.A.A via e-mail.

For reference, qualifiers needed to be three minutes, 23 seconds or faster than their age group and gender for the 2018 Boston Marathon; two minutes, nine seconds or faster for the 2017 Boston Marathon; two minutes, 28 seconds or faster for the 2016 Boston Marathon; one minute, two seconds or faster for the 2015 Boston Marathon; and one minute, 38 seconds or faster for the 2014 Boston Marathon. A history of Boston Marathon qualifying standards and cut-off times can be found here. Notices to those who submitted an application for entry but who were not accepted were also issued today.

2019 BOSTON MARATHON: Men’s Qualifying Standards and Accepted Times*

AGE GROUP	QUALIFYING STANDARD	QUALIFICATION TIMES ACCEPTED (faster than and including)
18-34	3hrs 05min 00sec	3hrs 00min 08sec
35-39	3hrs 10min 00sec	3hrs 05min 08sec
40-44	3hrs 15min 00sec	3hrs 10min 08sec
45-49	3hrs 25min 00sec	3hrs 20min 08sec
50-54	3hrs 30min 00sec	3hrs 25min 08sec
55-59	3hrs 40min 00sec	3hrs 35min 08sec
60-64	3hrs 55min 00sec	3hrs 50min 08sec
65-69	4hrs 10min 00sec	4hrs 05min 08sec
70-74	4hrs 25min 00sec	4hrs 20min 08sec
75-79	4hrs 40min 00sec	4hrs 35min 08sec
80 and older	4hrs 55min 00sec	4hrs 50min 08sec

2019 BOSTON MARATHON: Women’s Qualifying Standards and Accepted Times*

AGE GROUP	QUALIFYING STANDARD	QUALIFICATION TIMES ACCEPTED (faster than and including)
18-34	3hrs 35min 00sec	3hrs 30min 08sec
35-39	3hrs 40min 00sec	3hrs 35min 08sec
40-44	3hrs 45min 00sec	3hrs 40min 08sec
45-49	3hrs 55min 00sec	3hrs 50min 08sec
50-54	4hrs 00min 00sec	3hrs 55min 08sec
55-59	4hrs 10min 00sec	4hrs 05min 08sec
60-64	4hrs 25min 00sec	4hrs 20min 08sec
65-69	4hrs 40min 00sec	4hrs 35min 08sec
70-74	4hrs 55min 00sec	4hrs 50min 08sec
75-79	5hrs 10min 00sec	5hrs 05min 08sec
80 and older	5hrs 25min 00sec	5hrs 20min 08sec

* Qualified entrants for the 2019 Boston Marathon must have met the designated time standard that corresponds with their age group and gender in a certified marathon on or after September 16, 2017. Proof of qualification must accompany each athlete's application, and participants are required to be 18 years or older on Boston Marathon race day.

2020 BOSTON MARATHON: Updated Men’s and Women’s Qualifying Standards

AGE GROUP	MEN’S QUALIFYING STANDARDS	WOMEN’S QUALIFYING STANDARDS
18-34	3hrs 00min 00sec	3hrs 30min 00sec
35-39	3hrs 05min 00sec	3hrs 35min 00sec
40-44	3hrs 10min 00sec	3hrs 40min 00sec
45-49	3hrs 20min 00sec	3hrs 50min 00sec
50-54	3hrs 25min 00sec	3hrs 55min 00sec
55-59	3hrs 35min 00sec	4hrs 05min 00sec
60-64	3hrs 50min 00sec	4hrs 20min 00sec
65-69	4hrs 05min 00sec	4hrs 35min 00sec
70-74	4hrs 20min 00sec	4hrs 50min 00sec
75-79	4hrs 35min 00sec	5hrs 05min 00sec
80 and older	4hrs 50min 00sec	5hrs 20min 00sec

The qualifying window for the 2020 Boston Marathon began on Saturday, September 15, 2018, and will continue through the conclusion of 2020 Boston Marathon registration next fall. Registration dates for the 2020 Boston Marathon will be announced next year. Please note that the new qualifying standards do apply to valid marathon times run at races between September 15, 2018 and this announcement.

Department of Public Utilities Issues Order Focusing on Safety, Announcing Energy Rates

Department of Public Utilities Issues Order Focusing on Safety,

Announcing Energy Rates

After Public Process, Department Reduces Rates Initially Requested

BOSTON – September 28, 2018 – The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) today issued a final Order that will enhance pipeline safety, require accountability, upgrade information system platforms, and improve customer service while reducing the total rate increase request of Boston Gas Company and Colonial Gas Company, together doing business as National Grid by over $97 million annually. The action by the DPU follows a ten month investigation that included seven public hearings across National Grid’s service territory, twelve days of evidentiary hearings, and a review of more than a thousand exhibits. National Grid provides gas service to approximately 908,000 customers in 116 cities and towns in the Commonwealth.

In issuing the Order, DPU reduced Boston Gas’ revenue request by approximately $78 million – decreasing Boston Gas’ requested increase of $178 million by 43%. Under the company’s proposal, a typical Boston Gas residential heating customer would have experienced an annual bill increase of $178.81, or 16%.  After the Department’s Order, a typical residential heating customer will experience an annual bill increase of $88.22, or 8%. The Order reduces Colonial Gas’ base revenue request by $19 million — decreasing Colonial Gas’ requested increase of $36.6 million by approximately 52%.  Similarly, under the company’s proposal, a typical Colonial Gas residential heating customer would have experienced an annual bill increase of $123.15, or 13%.  After the Department’s Order, a typical residential heating customer will experience an annual bill increase of $38.31, or 4%. 

As part of these revenue reductions, the Order found that both Boston Gas and Colonial Gas, under National Grid’s management, had shown persistent disregard for federal and state pipeline safety regulations to the detriment of the Companies’ ratepayers, and, as a result, the DPU reduced National Grid’s proposed 10.5% return on equity to 9.5%.  This change decreased the rates that National Grid had requested by approximately $15 million annually. Today’s decision marks the first time that Boston Gas’ gas base distribution rates have changed since 2010, and the first time that Colonial Gas’ gas base distribution rates have changed since 2010.

“By significantly reducing the rate increases proposed by National Grid, the Order issued by the Department of Public Utilities will enhance safe and reliable natural gas service for ratepayers across the Commonwealth while minimizing financial impacts on customers,” said Department of Public Utilities Chair Angela O’Connor. “Additionally, the Order requires National Grid to pursue important investments in information systems platforms and builds upon the Department’s announcement of their intent to hire an Independent Evaluator to assess, out of an abundance of caution, the safety of pipeline infrastructure throughout the Commonwealth.”

In addition, the Order notes that, out of an abundance of caution, the DPU recentlyannounced their intent to hire an independent evaluator to conduct a statewide examination of the safety of the natural gas distribution system within the Commonwealth. The DPU’s Pipeline Engineering and Safety Division also has multiple ongoing investigations into National Grid’s safety practices.  As part of those investigations there is today a request for information regarding staffing, costs, and the services that National Grid has provided during the company’s current labor lockout compared to the same period in previous years.

The new rates contained within the Order will go into effect November 1, 2018.

Governor Baker and Merrimack Valley Local Officials Announce $1 Million Emergency Loan Fund for Impacted Merrimack Valley Businesses

Governor Baker and Merrimack Valley Local Officials Announce $1 Million Emergency Loan Fund for Impacted Merrimack Valley Businesses

Impacted businesses can apply for no interest and no payment loans for the next six months

LAWRENCE - Today, Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito joined Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Jay Ash, Lawrence Mayor Daniel Rivera, North Andover Town Manager Andrew Maylor and Andover Town Manager Andrew Flanagan to announce a $1,000,000 emergency loan fund for businesses directly impacted by the recent gas explosions in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover.

The fund will offer emergency loans to eligible businesses with no payments and no interest for the first six months. For businesses that extend beyond a six month period, market rates will apply and loans will be able to be extended or restructured for multi-year term loans. The fund will open October 1 and have an expedited application and approval process, with the goal of getting all applications processed within 24 and 48 hours. 

“After spending time with impacted business owners, we came up with this fund as a critical tool to help get folks back on their feet in the wake of the gas explosions,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Local businesses are the bedrock of our economy and are in dire need of solutions to make sure they can stay in business and continue to provide good paying jobs, and we are grateful for the regional lenders that have come together to support this important effort.”

“As we work to provide resources for the impacted businesses in Greater Lawrence, we are grateful to the many lenders who have stepped up to contribute to this emergency loan fund,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “We will continue to work together to find ways to effectively provide assistance to those impacted by this terrible disaster.”

"Businesses in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover find themselves in a situation they did not create but nonetheless are victims of,” said Lawrence Mayor Daniel Rivera. “With this fund being created, we don't intend to solve all of their problems, but we hope this provides some much needed relief.  I'd like to publicly thank the Governor Baker’s team, MCCI and the 10 banks that have stepped up to help business in the three communities with the creation of this fund.”

“Andover’s downtown and several other business districts are in the affected area. This program will provide our businesses with the resources to make the investments needed to reopen and get their employees back to work,” said Andover Town Manager Andrew P. Flanagan. “Small businesses are the lifeblood of our community and critical to our local economy.  I’m pleased that we are in a position to help them reopen.”

"The foundation of the economy of North Andover and the broader Greater Lawrence area is built on the success of our local small businesses,” said North Andover Town Manager Andrew Maylor. “This fund will help ensure that these small businesses will have access to the capital they need to meet their challenges, succeed, and grow."

The fund is the result of the collective effort of Mass Growth Capital Corporation, Lawrence Partnership, the ten lenders involved with the Lawrence Venture Loan Fund and Mill Cities Community Investments (MCCI).

Mass Growth Capital Corporation contributed $500,000 to the fund, with another $500,000 committed by the Lawrence Venture Loan Fund, with equal participation from the following regional lenders:

·       Enterprise Bank

·       Eastern Bank

·       TD Bank

·       Merrimack Valley Federal Credit Union

·       Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union

·       DCU

·       Pentucket Bank

·       Align Credit Union

·       The Savings Bank

·       Reading Cooperative Bank

A $250,000 loan loss reserve for this fund has been contributed by Columbia Gas.

“We are proud to contribute to the recovery of the small businesses of Lawrence, Andover and North Andover,” said Mass Growth Capital Corporation President Larry Andrews. “Through this emergency loan fund, impacted businesses will be able to access capital quickly and accelerate their recovery so that they can serve their customers and employees by providing their essential products and services.” 

“This is a unique opportunity to bring together ten financial institutions, historically competitors, but are working together as collaborators with a common cause,” said Lawrence Partnership Executive Director Derek Mitchell. “The leadership they’ve shown to align resources, support core community needs is to be celebrated in what they’ve accomplished and how they’ve done it.”

“This emergency loan fund will bring some temporary financial relief to many small businesses negatively impacted by the gas incident in the region,” said Frank Carvalho, Executive Director, Mill Cities Community Investments. “As of Monday October 1, businesses will be able to begin a streamlined process to get to funds that will help them continue to be an ongoing business concern through this very adverse conditions.”

MCCI, a registered Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) will be the lender of the fund, which will be launched on Monday, October 1.

For assistance, visit: www.wearelawrence.org/lawrencegasresponsebusiness.

Loan Relief Loan Fund Details

WHO QUALIFIES: Any business that has been impacted by the recent gas disaster will qualify for the funds, including businesses from Lawrence, Andover, and N. Andover.

TERMS/RATES: this fund is being offered with no payments and no interest for the first 6 months.  For businesses that extend beyond a 6 month period, market rates will apply and loans can be extended or restructured for multi-year term loans.  Businesses can apply for up to $50,000.   There is no minimum loan amount.

APPLICATION PROCESS AND REQUIREMENTS: The fund is designed to create an expedited application and approval process, with the goal of getting all applications processed within 48 hours. 

For a full listing of required documentation go to www.wearelawrence.org/lawrencegasresponsebusiness.

HOW TO APPLY: Mill Cities Community Investments will receive all applications for this fund and will process internally.  They can be contacted by phone, email, or in-person at:

50 Island Street, Suite #103

Lawrence, MA 01840

978-258-277

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