2025 Boston Marathon: T20 Para Class for Intellectual Impairment
April 21
In 2023 The Boston Athletic Association made a very important announcement: They added a competitive division (with prize money) for intellectual impairment which is open to Virtus II1/T20 runners with National or International classification. The new Para Athletics Division T20 Competition for Intellectual Impairment is different from the general “Adaptive Program for Runners” in three key ways:
PARA ATHLETICS DIVISION VS. ADAPTIVE RUNNER PROGRAM:
- QUALIFYING TIMES: Times are faster to qualify for the T20 Para Division. Additionally, the T20 Para Division offers complimentary entry to those who can meet the fastest T20 High Performance Time Standards. While the Adaptive Program for Runners offers slower qualifying times since it’s intention is to offer additional opportunities for participation in the Boston Marathon.
- PRIZES: There prize money for the first three male and female finishers in the T20 Para events — while there is no prize money in the Adaptive Program which, again, is intended to provide additional participation opportunities.
- SUPPORT RUNNER: Support Runners are not permitted for athletes with Intellectual Impairment in the more competitive T20 Para Event which follows the same rules as the Paralympics. Athletes who require a support runner should explore the Adaptive Program for Runners, which allows competitors with intellectual impairments to run with a Support Runner
ENTRY DEADLINE:
Note that the entry deadline for the Boston Marathon is typically the September preceding the April event, however all interested athletes with Intellectual Impairment should reach out regardless of the date since this is a newer offering and space may be available.
Note that the entry deadline for the Boston Marathon is typically the September preceding the April event, however all interested athletes with Intellectual Impairment should reach out regardless of the date since this is a newer offering and space may be available.
ELIGIBILITY:
To be eligible for the Para T20 Class for Intellectual Impairment athletes must provide documentation showing they meet the three criteria below:
- Full Scale IQ of 75 or lower on accepted IQ assessment (WAIS, WISC, Stanford Binet)
- Significant limitations in at least one domain area of Adaptive Behavior (Vineland, ABAS or AAMR assessment)
- Onset before age 22
Those interested who already have Virtus II1/T20 eligibility (listed our US Track & Field National List) should reach out to Athletes Without Limits using our Contact Us form so we can help you navigate this new opportunity.
Those who require T20 National Classification should apply to Athletes Without Limits using our Athlete Eligibility Application (we will let Boston and U.S. Paralympics know when you’ve competed your Virtus II-1/Para T20 Classification review.
ENTRY TIME STANDARDS:
Entry Time standards standards are posted on the event site (Scroll down to ‘T20 Intellectual Impairment’ at the bottom of the page):
ORIGINAL ANNOUNCEMENT:
Read the full original announcement on the Boston Marathon website:
