FAQ

Contact Info:
Boston Office (Administration)
40 Trinity Place
4th floor
Boston MA 02116
phone: 617-236-1652
fax: 617-236-4505
e-mail: info@baa.org
Hopkinton Office (Registration)
“The Starting Line”/One Ash St.
Hopkinton MA 01748
phone: 508-435-6905
fax: 508-435-6590
e-mail: registration@baa.org

Frequently Asked Questions

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Q:
Can my family come with me to Hopkinton?
A:
We are not able to provide transportation to the start from Boston for family or friends.
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Q:

How do I get to the Boston Marathon start from the parking lots in Hopkinton? Can my family come with me?
A:
Shuttle buses will run from the Hopkinton State Park and the Hopkinton Industrial Park parking lots to the center of Hopkinton. Family and friends are allowed on the buses, and shuttle service back to the lots will be provided immediately after the start of wave two.
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Q:

Can I bring my family to the Boston Marathon Award Ceremony?
A:
The Award Ceremony is open to all participants and guests. No tickets are required.
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Q:

Can a friend pick up my Boston Marathon bib number for me?
A:

Yes. You must sign your number pick-up card and give it to your friend. Your friend must write his/her name and address on the card and provide his/her photo I.D.

When he/she picks up your number, he/she will be directed to an I.D. verification booth when entering the expo. No photo copies or notes will be accepted. Numbers are non-transferable and entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

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Q:

How can family members at home track me in the Boston Marathon?
A:

The B.A.A. will broadcast every five kilometer split to its website and family and friends can track your progress by logging in and entering your name or bib number. The "face" of the Boston Marathon website will change on race day and the process on how to enter the search will be clear. The AT&T Athlete Alert program allows messages to be automatically delivered to any US mobile phone, a pager, or any email address.

Alerts will be broadcast when your runner crosses the starting line, reaches the 10K, half marathon and 30K marks, and from the finish line. Runners or their family and friends can register in three ways:

  • Via text message or SMS, (after registering, you'll receive a text message confirming how to complete registration).
  • Visiting the AT&T Athlete Alert Sign-Up page at the race website, www.baa.org, and sign up there. (This will be posted in March, 2013).
  • Registering in person. Representatives will be available in the Bib Number Pick-up area at the John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo, Friday, April 12, from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturday, April 13, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sunday, April 14, from 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
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Q:

How can my family get to locations along the course using public transportation?
A:
Locations along the course that are close to MBTA subway stations are:
  • Kenmore Square (Green lines B,C, and D): One-mile-to-go marker
  • Woodland (Green line D): Mile 16.8 of the Marathon course
  • Boston College (Green line B): Mile 21.4 of the Marathon course
  • Cleveland Circle (Green line C): mile 22.4 of the Marathon course
The MBTA's Commuter Rail Line (Framingham/Worcester) also makes stops along the Route in Framingham, West Natick, Natick, Wellesley Square and Wellesley Hills. For more information on watching the race, pick up a Spectator's Guide at local hotels or the Marathon Information Kiosk in Copley Square Park on race weekend.
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Q:

Any recommendations on how to meet up with my family after I finish the Boston Marathon?
A:
Arrange to meet your family in the Family Meeting Area. Large signs with all letters of the alphabet will be posted beginning on Stuart Street, along Clarendon and finishing along St. James Avenue. Or, you may wish to select a designated location far outside of the restricted area and away from the finish area facilities.
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Q:
Where can I find a list of upcoming marathons or marathons in my area?
A:
Extensive calendars of marathons can be found at www.marathonguide.com, www.coolrunning.com, www.runnersworld.com, and www.runningnetwork.com See our list of the most frequently used marathons for qualifying.
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Q:

Can I move from one corral to another corral within my assigned wave in the Boston Marathon?
A:
You may move BACK to a higher corral, but you can not more forward to a lower corral. This kind of movement should be kept to a minimum given the amount of space allocated to each corral. However, we encourage all runners to line up in the corral to which they have assigned.
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Q:

Last year I was in Wave 1 with a time of 3:20, but now that same time only gets me into Wave 2. Why?
A:

The overall 2012 Boston Marathon field is approximately 2 and 1/2 minutes faster than in any previous year. Therefore,  all wave breaks have been adjusted for this year. We cannot change anyone's seed or wave assignment.

Here are the comparisons from last year to this year: 

2011 Break between Wave 1 and 2 – 3:22:41      
2011 Break between Wave 2 and 3 – 3:45:57  

2012 Break between Wave 1 and 2 – 3:19:10
2012 Break between Wave 2 and 3 – 3:43:48

 

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B.A.A. Moment 4

1920 - Ashland Start

The Boston Marathon began in Ashland, Massachusetts from 1897 through 1923 then moved to Hopkinton for the 1924 race.  Since then, the race has started in Hopkinton every year.

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