Guidelines for Boston Marathon Number Distribution

  1. Available marathon numbers will be divided equally between male and female runners.
  2. Marathon number recipients will be chosen via a lottery to be held at the annual Club banquet, typically held in late January.
  3. To be eligible for a marathon number a candidate must meet the following criteria:
    • Be a member of the Shamrock Running Club for at least six months prior to the date of the number drawing.
    • Must have completed either a marathon or half-marathon within seven months prior to the drawing.
    • Dues must be paid in full for the year prior to and the year of the Boston Marathon (if you are entering the lottery for a 2008 number, your dues must be paid in full for 2007 and 2008).
    Candidate must have volunteered to work (not just run!) at least two of the Club-sponsored events listed below*:
    • New Year's Day Race (Run Your Hangover Off)
    • Boston Marathon (April)
    • O'Brien Race (May)
    • Joan's Jaunt (June)
    • Irish American Hospice Race (October)
    • BAA Half Marathon (October)
    • Other events which may arise, subject to Board approval
    * Membership on the Board of Directors counts as one event.
  4. Members cannot receive a marathon number more than once in two years. (If you received a number in 2007 you are not eligible for the lottery again until 2009).
  5. Numbers are non-transferable and must be used by the recipient. If the recipient is unable to participate in the marathon, s/he must return it immediately to the Board so that it may be assigned to an alternate.
In the process of determining eligibility for marathon numbers, the Board may at its discretion make exceptions to the above guidelines.