Welcome to the 114th Boston MarathonOn behalf of principal sponsor John Hancock Financial, the eight cities and towns of the race course and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the 500,000 spectators who will line it to cheer you to Boylston Street, the Boston Athletic Association welcomes you to Patriots' Day Weekend.
More Toilets at the Start in the Town of Hopkinton
The B.A.A. has increased the number of portable toilets in the Athletes' Village where the buses will drop you and also near the starting corrals. Please respect the residents of Hopkinton by not trespassing on their property for any reason.
Timing Chip Is Yours To Keep after the Race
For the first time at the Boston Marathon, the B.A.A. is using a single-use chip to time and score the race. The chip will be enclosed in your bib envelope packet, along with instructions for proper use. If you have run the Boston Marathon previously, it attaches similar as in past years (laced through your shoelaces). The B.A.A. will not be collecting the chip after the race; it is yours to keep.
Record Already: Most Women Ever
11,316 women entered in the 2010 race is Boston record.
Americans Going for the Win
The men's race features a match-up of two top Americans: Meb Keflezighi and Ryan Hall, both Olympians and both of California. Keflezighi is the reigning New York City Marathon champion and finished third at the 2006 Boston Marathon; Hall won the most recent U.S. Olympic Team Trials Marathon and was third at the 2009 Boston Marathon. Deriba Merga, of Ethiopia, returns to Boston to defend his title. The three most recent women's champions - Salina Kosgei, of Kenya (2009); Dire Tune, of Ethiopia (2008); and Lidiya Grigoryeva, of Russia (2007) headline the women's field.
Van Dyk Seeking Record
Ernst Van Dyk of South Africa will chase history in the men's push rim wheelchair division. With a ninth title, Van Dyk would become the winningest Boston Marathon competitor of all time in any division, surpassing women's wheelchair division legend Jean Driscoll's record of eight Boston victories.
$100 Million!
The B.A.A.'s Official Charity Program for the Boston Marathon provides entries for fund raising. This year, the program is expected to surpass the $100 million milestone in total funds raised since its inception in 1989. This year, 1,350 runners from 24 charities are expected to raise over $10 million.
Champions Among You
Three past champions of the Boston Marathon are expected to run on Monday. 1990 men's champion Gelindo Bordin, of Italy; 1985 women's champion Lisa Rainsberger [Larsen-Weidenbach], of Colorado; and 1980 women's champion Jacqueline Gareau, of Canada, will celebrate the anniversaries of their Boston victories by running the historic course again. They'll be wearing bib numbers 1990, 1985, and 1980, respectively. These three, as well as Ron Hill (1970) and Geoff Smith (1984, 1985) will be recognized throughout the weekend.
Olympian Leading the Way
American Olympic Gold Medalist Hannah Kearney of Vermont will serve as the honorary Grand Marshal of the Boston Marathon. The master of the moguls at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games, she will be driven in a Nissan lead vehicle ahead of more than 25,000 runners.
B.A.A. 5K and B.A.A. Invitational Mile Races on Sunday
Held on Sunday morning on Boylston Street near the Boston Public Library at Copley Square, the B.A.A. 5K and B.A.A. Invitational Mile will get you in the running spirit. These are great spectator events. Check out B.A.A. 5K and B.A.A. Invitational Mile for more information.
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