Clarification On 2013 Boston Marathon Registration

Thanks to reader Bob C. for sending in a clarification on 2013 Boston Marathon registration, which will re-open Monday at 10 a.m. ET with about only a portion of the 21,600 spots still up for grabs. The registration period will be open through Friday, Sept. 21 at 5 p.m. ET, no matter how quickly the race gets up to 21,600. But once that period ends, the Boston Athletic Association will only grant bids to the runners who are the fastest in their age-gender class.

So you'll be able to register all week if you have a qualifying time. But if you're pretty close to that qualifying time, chances are you'll be left out, given that nearly 40 percent of the field filled up with runners at least 10 minutes faster than their BQ time. All registrants will be told if they're in by Oct. 1.

Good luck to all the hopefuls, and thanks again to Bob C. for pointing out the nuance in BAA's system. (I can blame my misunderstanding on being too slow to be affected by the changes, right?)