Prizeless Female Boston Marathon Winners Will Be Paid Now: BAA

BOSTON, MA — After they crossed the Boston Marathon Finish Line on April 16, technically placing in the top 15 during the nastiest Marathon Monday weather in recent memory, five women went home without the prize money they would have received had they started with the elite women group 28 minutes earlier.

The organization who runs the marathon, the Boston Athletic Association said only those women who qualify to run at the very front of the pack, a special speedy subgroup, are eligible for the money prizes.

But Thursday, the Boston Athletic Association reversed course and said it would this time give the prizes to those five women, too.

"Given the nature of this year’s race, we want to recognize and celebrate some of the performances that made this year’s race special. The B.A.A. will ensure that these five additional women (all of whom started in Wave One) receive a financial award for their net-time performance this year," said the Boston Athletic Association in a statement.

The news comes after some push back from folks after a BuzzFeed article and Patch first questioned the practice. The BAA told Patch the practice was in an attempt to keep things fair. >> Read: It Doesn't Happen Often, But This Year Some Top Boston Marathon Finishers Won $0

The full announcement:

The participants, volunteers, spectators, and public officials at the 2018 Boston Marathon turned in extraordinary performances amid exceptional weather conditions. We are especially proud of five women in Wave One of the Boston Marathon who finished with net-times (meaning Start timing mat to Finish timing mat) that placed them in the top 15 of the overall results, and in the top five of the Masters Division results. Historically, and per published race rules, these top positions that are awarded prize money have almost always been held by women who race from the Elite Women’s Start (EWS).

Given the nature of this year’s race, we want to recognize and celebrate some of the performances that made this year’s race special. The B.A.A. will ensure that these five additional women (all of whom started in Wave One) receive a financial award for their net-time performance this year. These awards will be made in addition to the existing prize money that will be paid to EWS competitors, and equal with the amounts paid to corresponding EWS placements.

As we do every year, the B.A.A. will convene in the weeks ahead and consider all facets of the race (including the Elite Women’s race) and any alterations that should be made. We remain committed to having a separate women’s race to continue to highlight these athletes and remain willing to address individual athlete’s requests for inclusion in that group.

Congratulations again to all of this year’s finishers!

How Much Money Do Top Boston Marathoners Win? Sometimes $0

Read the full BuzzFeed Article: Boston Marathon Women Prize Money?

Related Patch Articles:

• 5 Top American Women To Watch: Boston Marathon 2018
• Boston Marathon 2018 Winners, Results: Desi Linden Raises US Flag
• Who Braved The Rain For 'Runner Christmas' Monday?
• Boston Marathon 2018: Less than ideal conditions send hundreds to medical tents

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Photo by Jenna Fisher/Patch