Heather Abbott Foundation 2025 Boston Marathon Participation Terms & Conditions

The Heather Abbott Foundation (“the Foundation”) requires all participants (“runners” or “team members”) accepted to their 2025 Boston Marathon Team Limb-it-less (“the team”) agree and adhere to the requirements outlined herein. Note items marked * are not applicable to qualified runner team members, as defined on the Foundation’s 2025 team application. All other terms and conditions apply to both charity and qualified runner team members.

Fundraising*

Each charity runner must agree to start fundraising by donating $50 to his/her own fundraising campaign via the Foundation’s online fundraising portal within one week of notification of acceptance to the team or receipt of instructions to set up his/her personal fundraising page. The non-refundable $50 team fee is counted towards the runners’ fundraising minimum. Charity runners agree to collect a minimum of $10,000 in donations for the Heather Abbott Foundation by April 19, 2025. Those who have not reached the fundraising minimum by that date are personally responsible for the balance due.

Credit card information will be collected upon set up of a personal fundraising page through the Foundation’s online donation platform. To ensure the minimum is met, the Foundation reserves the right to charge the outstanding balance due on runners’ credit cards by the fundraising deadline.

In the event a team member defaults on this agreement and their credit card is not valid for any reason, the Foundation reserves the right to pursue collection of the debt and the runner is responsible for any and all legal fees incurred by the Foundation in this collection process.

Employer Matching Gift Programs

Many companies match employees’ charitable contributions. Runners should check with their employer to determine whether their company has a matching gift program. Runners may ask donors to consider their employers’ matching gifts as well. Matching gifts do not apply to runners’ fundraising minimums but are considered over and above the minimum. It is each runner’s responsibility to contact the gift-matching organization to provide all matching gift information and ensure processing.

Registration

Race registration details are distributed following acceptance of runners’ applications and confirmation of their selection to join the team. To receive registration details runners must have raised half of their fundraising minimum*.

The Boston Athletic Association (BAA) charges a $375 race registration fee that does not count towards runners’ fundraising commitment. This fee is the sole responsibility of the team member.

The registration fee must be paid separately at the time of registration, which opens on January 2, 2025 and closes on February 7, 2025, upon filing the race application. Charity runners should not contact the BAA to process their application. All Charity runners' Boston Marathon registrations will be processed directly through the Foundation. Qualified runners will be provided registration instructions via the BAA.

Cancellation*

Runners may cancel their participation on the 2025 team, and renege responsibility for their $10,000 fundraising minimum at any time on or before December 15, 2024. To cancel, runners must contact Kevin Horst at khorst66@me.com or Heather Abbott at heather@heatherabbottfoundation.org on or before December 15, 2024 and explain their intentions.

For cancellations occurring after December 15, 2024, it’s required that runners maintain responsibility for raising their $10,000 minimum even if, for any reason including injury, they are unable to run in the 2025 Boston marathon. If a runner cancels his/her participation after this date, the credit card on file will be charged the balance of the fundraising commitment. By indicating agreement herein, The Heather Abbott Foundation has consent to do this. Further, any donations raised and received via the Foundation’s online portal will not be refunded, regardless of a runner’s cancellation date.

Illness or Injury

In the event of an illness, injury or medical emergency arising during the event or in the training and planning sessions for said event, team members authorize and give consent to the Foundation to secure from an accredited hospital, clinic and/or physician any treatment deemed necessary for the runner’s immediate care. Runners agree that they are fully responsible for payment of any and all medical services and treatment rendered including but not limited to medical transport, medication treatment and hospitalization.

Release & Agreement

Please sign below relative to the Terms and Conditions set forth in the above-mentioned contract. No runner will be considered without agreeing to the contract in this application.

In consideration of my acceptance on the team and an invitational bib*, I hereby for myself, my heirs, executors and administrator, waive and release any and all rights for claims and damages I may have against the Heather Abbott Foundation and its employees, volunteers and consultants, including any coaches and product sponsors for any and all injuries suffered or sustained by me in said event and in the training and planning sessions for said event or travel to and from any of the preceding. I further attest and certify that I am physically fit and have sufficiently trained for competition in this event and a licensed medical doctor has verified my physical condition.

I also grant permission for use of my name and/or photograph or voice in broadcast, telecast, print or any other account of this event and agree to waive any compensation for such use.

I have received the Heather Abbott Foundation application and understand all the terms and conditions of my participation in the 2025 program. I declare that I have exercised my own judgment in signing this agreement and I further declare that the decision to sign this agreement is my own. I confirm the information listed in my online application is accurate. I have also noted the deadlines for material submission and fundraising goals. I authorize the Foundation to charge my credit card in accordance with the parameters outlined herein. I understand that the submission of this application does not guarantee me a spot on the team.

*does not apply to qualified runner team members

**fundraising minimum is $12,000 for repeat Charity runners who wish to represent HAF 2 years consecutively