Good afternoon all,
I wanted to let everyone know that we have caught the attention of the BAA. I am hoping to get more information about their decision making processes. If you have specific questions, please let me know in the comments and I can include them in my email correspondence. Today I received an email stating the following:
Thank you for reaching out and for raising funds for Thompson Island Outward Bound. I want to elaborate more on the B.A.A.'s decision to provide a refund for entry fees for registered participants in the 2020 Boston Marathon.
Given the evolving nature of pandemic-with regulations ever-changing and based on time-sensitive data-the field size for future Boston Marathons has not yet been set. We also do not know how the field size of the Boston Marathon may be impacted in the future, since it will need to take into account guidelines and regulations for large scale events that have yet to be established by public health and safety officials. If a smaller field size is necessary, then we would be unable to defer all who would request to run next year into a smaller number of places. We know this causes frustration, but we do not want to create a certain future in the face of so much uncertainty. Providing the option for a full refund of entry fees to runners is something we are able to guarantee at this point in time.
We understand that this is not the 2020 Boston Marathon experience you envisioned when you set out training and raising funds for TIOB. Our team is hard at work on the events for the virtual Boston Marathon and we are excited that nearly 18,000 athletes plan to participate. We have also been in contact with the managers of the charity teams and know that TIOB will continue to share more information with you, but encourage you to reach out with any additional questions you may have.
We appreciate your understanding.
After receiving this email, I spoke to a representative from the BAA who informed me that they were committed to treating all runners the same, regardless if they BQed or were charity runners, the representative emphasized that they were waiting to hear from government officials about what race sizes would be allowed and they believed that they would hear back soon. In addition, she emphasized that they did not know when we would have another Boston Marathon, and that promises could not be made until it was known when a Boston Marathon was possible.
I would like to thank the BAA for their time and communication, but also continue to express the great sadness and disappointment that charity runners face and hope that they will continue to consider allowing us entry into the Boston Marathon.