The Boston Marathon, a pinnacle of distance running, not only represents a test of endurance and athleticism but also offers substantial prize money to its top finishers. This guide breaks down the Boston Marathon Prize Money distribution for the 2025 race, ensuring athletes and enthusiasts alike understand the financial rewards at stake. The Boston Athletic Association is committed to equitable compensation, offering equal prize purses for men and women across all divisions, including Open, Masters, Wheelchair, and Para divisions.
Open Division Prize Money
The Open Division of the Boston Marathon attracts elite runners from around the globe, all vying for victory and a share of the significant prize pool. The prize money for this division is determined by gun time, the official time from the race start.
| PLACE | OPEN DIVISION |
|---|---|
| 1st | $12,000 |
| 2nd | $7,500 |
| 3rd | $4,000 |
| 4th | $3,000 |
| 5th | $2,000 |
| 6th | $1,500 |
| 7th | $1,000 |
| 8th | $750 |
| 9th | $500 |
| 10th | $400 |
This table clearly outlines the boston marathon prize money for the top 10 finishers in the Open Division, showcasing the significant financial incentive for elite performance.
Masters, Wheelchair, and Para Divisions Prize Money
Beyond the Open Division, the Boston Marathon also recognizes and rewards athletes in the Masters, Wheelchair, and Para Athletics divisions. Similar to the Open Division, prize money distribution in these categories is based on gun time results, ensuring fairness and transparency.
Masters Division Prize Money
The Masters Division celebrates athletes aged 40 and older who continue to excel in marathon running. These competitors are eligible for both overall prize money in the Open Division and dedicated masters division prize money.
| PLACE | MASTERS DIVISION |
|---|---|
| 1st | $400 |
| 2nd | $200 |
| 3rd | $100 |
Wheelchair Division Prize Money
The Wheelchair Division showcases incredible athleticism and speed. The wheelchair division prize money reflects the Boston Marathon’s commitment to inclusivity and recognizing excellence across all forms of competition.
| PLACE | WHEELCHAIR |
|---|---|
| 1st | $4,000 |
| 2nd | $2,500 |
| 3rd | $2,000 |
Para Athletics Divisions Prize Money
The Para Athletics divisions encompass a range of classifications, recognizing athletes with vision impairment, upper and lower limb impairments, coordination impairments, and intellectual impairments. Each category within the Para Athletics divisions offers equal para athletics prize money.
| PLACE | VISION IMPAIRMENT (T11-T13) | UPPER LIMB IMPAIRMENT (T45-T46-T47) | LOWER LIMB IMPAIRMENT (T61-T64) | COORDINATION IMPAIRMENT (T35-T38) | INTELLECTUAL IMPAIRMENT (T20) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | $1,000 | $1,000 | $1,000 | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| 2nd | $750 | $750 | $750 | $750 | $750 |
| 3rd | $500 | $500 | $500 | $500 | $500 |
Event Record Bonuses
In addition to the standard prize money, the Boston Marathon offers significant bonuses for athletes who break event records, further incentivizing exceptional performance.
| DIVISION | BONUS |
|---|---|
| OPEN DIVISION | $7,500 |
| WHEELCHAIR DIVISION | $1000 |
| PARA ATHLETICS DIVISIONS | $300 |
The current event records to beat are:
| DIVISION | RECORD HOLDER & TIME (YEAR) |
|---|---|
| OPEN DIVISION – Men | Geoffrey Mutai – 2:03:02 (2011) |
| OPEN DIVISION – Women | Fancy Chemutai – 2:19:26 (2019) |
| WHEELCHAIR DIVISION – Men | Daniel Romanchuk – 1:20:26 (2019) |
| WHEELCHAIR DIVISION – Women | Susannah Scaroni – 1:30:22 (2022) |
Note: Para Athletics Divisions records are listed in the original article provided.
Age Group Awards
Beyond prize money, the Boston Marathon also recognizes top finishers in various age groups. These awards are based on net time, the time measured from when an athlete crosses the start line to when they cross the finish line. Awards are mailed to the top three finishers in each of the following age groups: 12-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, and 80+.
Conclusion
The boston marathon prize money and awards structure is designed to celebrate athletic achievement at all levels. From the elite Open Division runners to the inspiring athletes in the Masters, Wheelchair, and Para divisions, the Boston Marathon provides a platform to recognize and reward dedication, speed, and sportsmanship. The equal prize money for men and women underscores the event’s commitment to fairness and inclusivity in the world of marathon running.
Disclaimer: Prize money listings are subject to change. Official information should always be verified with the Boston Athletic Association.
