Choose a marathon that will yield a good time. The Chicago Marathon is a great qualifier for the Boston Marathon. It is generally cooler, it has great support and there are plenty of people to cheer you on along the course. They count the chip time, so you can even start in the back and have fun passing everyone over the course of 26.2 miles.

Remember: the race is only half over at 20 miles. Make sure you train, and get your qualifying Marathon in the fall but after October 1. Boston Athletic Association allows your qualifying time for two years of Boston Marathons. Then you will have all winter to get ready for Boston and in case something happens, you have a second shot in the bank for the next year.

If you are interested in learning the race history. Go right now and order Tom Derderian's book Boston Marathon Centennial Edition published by Human Kinetics. This book will get you through 1995, but it is so rich in detail and description, that you will be able to build ably on your knowledge of the race.

Online entry for the 114th Boston Marathon® on Monday, April 19, 2010 (Patriots' Day in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts) begins at 9:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, September 9. Those interested in participating are encouraged to register early. The 2009 Boston Marathon reached its field size limit in late January.

The field size will be limited to 25,000 athletes.

The race follows the historic Hopkinton-to-Boston route for its 26 miles, 385 yards (42.195 Kilometers) and will again utilize a two-wave start:
Wave One Start - 10:00 a.m. EDT;
Wave Two Start - 10:30 a.m. EDT.

ENTRY FEE:
USA residents - $130 USD if submitted and received by February 1, 2010 ($180 USD if submitted and accepted after February 1, 2010).

International residents - $175 USD if submitted and received by February 1, 2010 ($225 USD if submitted and accepted after February 1, 2010).

The entry fee is not refundable, and entries are not transferable.

ENTRY PROCEDURE
The B.A.A.'s qualifying times for the Boston Marathon remain unchanged and can be found here: http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102687214142&s=1020&e=001ROxrq5FWHAMZ3W2YsB4LvKFlRD5R8zPrLS9_C9yp8dgwXjxiScz-dCs1EeuOBq_jZAESDmSEQuvCST3MdMTD5AcRQJV1F82yWTfjaomT2mX3UCa6HMHrVUEWmGrYxtoW5IC-gvBFR09190rMiMA6yA==

Age on April 19, 2010 determines qualifying time. Age group on the day of the qualifying race may differ.

A qualifying time run at a race on or after September 27, 2008 will be accepted for the 2010 Boston Marathon (even if it was also used as a qualifier for the 2009 race).

The B.A.A. accepts net times from electronic scoring systems.

Athletes must be 18 years or older on April 19, 2010.

The B.A.A. reserves the right to reject any entry, issue special invitations, cancel the race, expand or further limit the field, or adjust the entry procedures.

The Boston Marathon includes a field of elite, invited athletes. Regardless of qualifying performance, selection and entry into the elite field is subject to review, and acceptances will be made on a limited basis. Entry into the field of elite, invited athletes will be at the sole discretion of the B.A.A.

Entry into the Boston Marathon will be at the discretion of the B.A.A.

WAVE START
Corral and wave assignments will be based on qualifying times. Entrants will be notified of their assignments in early April. In 2009, runners with a qualifying time faster than 3:34:36 began in Wave One.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER, please visit: www.baa.org