The number of runners in the 2020 Boston Marathon was approximately 31,500 participants according to the Boston Athletic Association's announcement for the 124th running held on April 20, 2020
. However, other sources indicate that out of 27,288 qualified runners who applied, 24,127 were accepted to run in 2020
. The actual number of starters was reported as 17,952 with 9,707 finishers in one participation breakdown, possibly reflecting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions that year
. In summary, while the field was intended to be about 31,500 runners, the actual number of runners who started the 2020 Boston Marathon was closer to 18,000
