The prospect of high heat and motivated marathoners has prompted the Boston Athletic Association to offer their 26,700 starters a chance to defer running till next year’s marathon.

“Knowing that people who are here will run, we just wanted to reinforce that it will be very warm,” said BAA media man Jack Fleming. “This will allow them to defer till next year when they pick up their race number.”

Accordingly, the BAA issued the following statement to its entrants.

Due to the unusually warm weather forecast for the Boston area on Monday, the B.A.A. will defer the entry of those official entrants to the 2013 Boston Marathon for participants who decide not to race.

This applies to official entrants only who either have claimed or will claim their bib number packet at the John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo through Sunday evening at the Seaport World Trade Center in South Boston. Runners must claim their bib number for deferment to be an option.

In order to receive a deferment for 2013, race participants may not start the race. No refund for the 2012 entry will be given.  All entry fees for 2013 must be paid.

In addition, the B.A.A. will keep the finish systems open an additional hour on race day until approximately 6:00 p.m. (more…)