Info for Athletes

The Start Area will have two medical tents that can offer assistance with most last-minute medical needs. Band-Aids, Vaseline, a pre-race stretch, or just a word of encouragement can be offered by our medical team. Before arriving to the Athletes’ Village, take some time to complete the emergency contact information on the back of your bib. Information such as allergies, medical conditions, and two emergency contact names and cell numbers should be included. If possible, one of the emergency cell  numbers should be that of someone waiting for you near the finish.

The Boston Athletic Association provides 26 medical stations strategically located along the course. Each tent is staffed with a variety of medical professionals, offering basic first aid to those in need. Course medical coverage is supported with ambulances and EMS  bike teams provided by Boston EMS, Coastal Ambulance, Cataldo, Brewster and Armstrong Ambulances Companies.

Medical sweep buses are positioned along the course at aid stations. These buses are available to runners who cannot finish the race and/or may have a minor medical problem. Each bus is staffed by medical volunteers who are available to provide first aid. A runner may choose to rest on the bus while it is parked at a first aid station. However, once the bus begins to move, the runner is no longer an official entrant, and you will not be given an official finish time. Once on the bus, the runner may not re-enter the course to complete the marathon. Medical Sweep buses are required to travel from aid station to aid station before a secondary bus will travel directly to the finish area in Boston. Once you arrive in Boston (drop off behind our Medical Tent on Dartmouth Street) you have the option of seeking care in our medical tents or entering Boylston Street for water, food, and other support systems.

Medical teams are located at the immediate finish line and the main medical tent, which is located on Dartmouth Street. A second tent/facility is located on Claren-don Street, then a third tent farther down on St. James Street at Berkeley Street. Additional members of the medical team are staffed along recovery zones leading to the Family Meeting Area. Medical personnel can be identified by their medical volunteer jackets. If you are injured or feeling ill, please seek out a member of the medical team for support.

During any prolonged physical activity, the body’s blood supply is usually redirected to the extremities and away from internal organs. Runners should continue to walk after finishing the race. Standing still or stopping can cause nausea, dizziness, and  weakness – normally resulting with a runner passing out. Walking will help redirect your blood to vital organs, so it is advisable to keep moving. In any event, if you think you need help, ask one of our medical personnel for assistance.

Together with the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association, the Boston Athletic Association is creating a video demonstrating the use of “hands only” CPR. We will also be hosting a CPR Demonstration booth at the Boston Marathon Expo (Saturday & Sunday Only). Come by, learn how to preform CPR and how you can help a fellow runner. Watch video on the importance of knowing CPR at http://bstnmar.org/CPRVideo.

The B.A.A. is dedicated to enhancing the participant experience over race weekend for lactating runners and individuals who require the use of medical devices at the Boston Marathon. Visit our designated Lactation Tent and a Medical Device Trailer for runners at the start and the B.A.A. will transport personal breast pumps and medical devices from the start to the finish for participants to pick up post-race. There will also be a designated Lactation Station in the Finish Area for participants to use post-race. For any runner, volunteer, or individual visiting the Boston Marathon Expo over race weekend, the Hynes Convention Center offers a Mamava Lactation Pod.

Participants are solely responsible for any medical expenses incurred from preparing and participating in the Boston Marathon. These expenses include ambulance transfers to area hospitals during or after the marathon, hospital admissions, lab work, and any follow up care needed to address your injury or illness.

• A one-gallon clear plastic bag to carry food items or sports drink only. This bag is subject to search. (only one clear plastic bag pack per runner). This clear, one-gallon plastic bag will be allowed on the official buses to Hopkinton. This bag will be provided in your participant packet, or you may use your own one gallon bag.
• Waist pack (no larger than 5 inches x 15 inches x 5 inches) to carry food, nutritional products, medicine, identification, cell phone, home/hotel key or other similar and necessary small items (only one waist pack per runner). 
• Standard manufactured “fuel belt” (bottles must be one liter or smaller). 
• Armband, which can carry a cellular phone or small camera. 
• The use of headphones is discouraged but permitted.
• Additional layers of clothing may be worn on B.A.A. Shuttle Buses and in Hopkinton for warmth before the race.
• Clothing that will not be worn during the race must be discarded in Hopkinton and will be donated to a local charitable organization.

• Personal hydration system products (such as CamelBak®, Thor®, etc). 
• Weight vests or any sort of vest with pockets or water bladders.
• Guns, knives, or any item that may be used as a weapon.  
• Backpacks, any similar item carried over the shoulder, or handbags of any size. 
• Props (including sporting equipment, military and fire/gear and signs or flags* larger than 11 inches x 17 inches). 
• Glass containers. 
• Any container capable of carrying more than one liter of liquid. 
• The use of selfie sticks or similar items is prohibited while running the Boston Marathon. 
• Strollers, including baby strollers. 
• Suitcases & rolling bags. 
• Costumes covering the face or any non-form fitting, bulky outfits extending beyond the perimeter of the body. 
• Any item larger than 5 inches x 15 inches x 5 inches. 
• Folding chairs.

*Note – Flags cannot be on a pole longer than 15 inches in length

• The B.A.A. discourages the wearing of action cameras such as GoPros while running in the Boston Marathon. 
• Any footage of the Boston Marathon captured by entrants or spectators is for personal use only. 
• Personal use shall mean non-commercial use of such footage only. 
• Any Boston Marathon footage for personal use shall not include any distribution for such purpose as to charge money, collect fees, or receive any form of remuneration. 
• The Boston Marathon footage for personal use shall not be used in advertising and shall not be resold, relicensed, or sub-licensed. 
• The Boston Athletic Association will not be liable for any third-party claims or incidental, consequential or other damages arising out of this personal use of Boston Marathon footage. 
• Any Boston Marathon footage cannot violate rights held by existing B.A.A. sponsors and/or partners, including any footage captured for personal use that is posted to social media or any video hosting platform.
• The use of “selfie” sticks or similar items is prohibited while running the Boston Marathon.
• Any individual found to be in violation of Boston Marathon footage policies will be subject to payment of licensing fees and potential disqualification.

Start Area Lactation Tent: A fully enclosed tent, with solid walls, designated exclusively for participants to pump pre-race is located at the Athletes’ Village in Hopkinton. When you arrive at the Athletes’ Village, there will be signage and volunteers to direct you to and give access to the Lactation Tent. The Lactation Tent has dividers to create two fully private, personal lactation stations and one semi-private, multi-user lactation space with 14 seats, and is equipped with tables, chairs, power outlets, hand sanitizer, and sanitizing wipes. Porta-potties are available next to the Lactation Tent.  

There will be designated bins inside the Lactation Tent for runners to discard their breast milk. We kindly request that athletes discard their breast milk in these bins.  

Breast Pump and Medical Device Transport: The B.A.A. transports participants’ personal breast pumps and medical devices from the Start Area at the Athletes’ Village to the Operations Tent in the Finish Area for athletes to pick up post-race.  

Please note: If you are a runner and anticipate wanting the B.A.A. to transport your breast pump or medical device(s) to the Finish Area, you must pick up an approved Medical Device Bag at the Boston Marathon Expo over race weekend to pack your device(s) for transport. This process is outlined in the 129th Boston Marathon Lactation and Medical Device Program Instructions for your reference and planning.  

Finish Area Lactation Station: A private Lactation Station designated for runners to pump post-race is available in St. James Medical Tent in the Finish Area. There will be signage to direct you to St. James Medical Tent and volunteers to give you access to the Lactation Station. The Lactation Station has a privacy screen to create a personal lactation space equipped with a table, chair, power outlets, hand sanitizer, and sanitizing wipes. Porta-potties are available outside of St. James Medical Tent. There will be a designated bin inside St. James Medical Tent for runners to discard their breast milk. We kindly request that if an athlete would like to discard their breast milk post-race, they do so in these bins.

Lactation Pod at Boston Marathon Expo: A private Lactation Station, product of a company called Mamava and offered by the Hynes Convention Center (HCC), is available for runners, volunteers, or individuals visiting the Boston Marathon Expo to use for breastfeeding and pumping over race weekend.The Mamava Lactation Pod is on the 1st floor of the Hynes Convention Center in the South Lobby, near the Prudential Center entrance, adjacent to the restroom. The pod features two benches, a table, mirror, coat hook, occupancy-activated lighting, power outlets and USB port, adjustable lighting and airflow, and a deadbolt to lock the pod when in use. To find and receive a code to access the Mamava Lactation Pod, please download the Mamava Mobile App.  

Medical Device Trailer—A private trailer, designated for runners to use their medical device(s) pre-race and for race operations staff, is located at the Athletes’ Village. When you arrive at the Athletes’ Village, there will be signage and volunteers to direct you to and give access to the Medical Device Trailer. 

Breast Pump and Medical Device Transport: The B.A.A. transports participants’ personal breast pumps and medical devices from the Start Area at the Athletes’ Village to the Operations Tent in the Finish Area for athletes to pick up post-race.   

Please note: If you are a runner and anticipate wanting the B.A.A. to transport your breast pump or medical device(s) to the Finish Area, you must pick up an approved Medical Device Bag at the Boston Marathon Expo over race weekend to pack your device(s) for transport. This process is outlined in the 129th Boston Marathon Lactation and Medical Device Program Instructions for your reference and planning.   

Yes, please find maps of each lactation and medical device accommodation below:  

• Lactation Tent and Medical Device Trailer – Start Area, Athletes’ Village  
• Lactation Station – Finish Area, St. James Medical Tent
• Mamava Lactation Pod – Boston Marathon Expo, Hynes Convention Center  

Unfortunately, the B.A.A. is unable to store or transport breast milk safely at this time. The B.A.A. acknowledges the value of expressed breast milk and the sensitivity of asking lactating individuals to dispose of it. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

There will be designated bins inside the Lactation Tent in the Start Area for runners to discard their breast milk. We kindly request that athletes discard their breast milk in these bins. A designated bin will also be available in St. James Medical Tent in the Finish Area for athletes that may want to discard their breast milk post-race after using the Lactation Station.

Sanitizing wipes, hand sanitizer, and plastic tablecloths will be available in the Start Area Lactation Tent and Finish Area Lactation Station.  

We kindly request that athletes practice personal responsibility in keeping these spaces clean for the next user. 

Over race weekend, you must visit the Information Center at the Boston Marathon Expo to pick up a Medical Device Bag if you plan on bringing a breast pump or medical device with you to the Start Area on race day and if you would like the B.A.A. to transport your bag to the Finish Area after the start of the race. 

Bank of America Boston Marathon Expo – Location and Hours of Operation

Location: John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center at 900 Boylston St. in Boston.
Hours of Operation: Friday, April 12:  11:00AM–6:00PM | Saturday, April 13: 9:00AM–6:00PM | Sunday, April 14: 9:00AM–6:00PM 

*To pick up a Medical Device Bag, visit the Information Center located next to the entrance of the Sponsor Pavillion (Exhibit Hall D) on the 2nd floor of the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center. 

The Medical Device Bag is a clear, drawstring bag that measures 18” x 19”.  

Allowable 

• Medical devices (diabetes testing kits, insulin pumps, asthma inhalers, prescription medications, etc.) and additional accessories needed for medical device usage.  
• Breast pumps and additional accessories needed for lactation (breast wipes, empty bottles, pumping bras/cover, breast pump tubing, etc.)  

Prohibited 

• Carrying cases for medical devices or breast pumps 
• Breast milk 

Please note, Medical Device Bags will be inspected on race morning by Boston Police and/or private security before you load any B.A.A. bus to be transported to the Start Area in Hopkinton. Medical Device Bags will also be inspected before entering the secured Finish Area for athletes to pick up.  

There will be designated B.A.A. staff and volunteers outside of the Lactation Tent and Medical Device Trailer at the Athletes’ Village in Hopkinton to assist runners using these accommodations. When you have finished using your breast pump and/or medical device, please place your equipment back in the Medical Device Bag and hand it to the B.A.A. staff and volunteers in this area for transport to the Finish Area by the B.A.A. 

Referenced in this map is the Medical Device Bag drop off location.

After crossing the Finish Line, please proceed straight ahead to the Operations Tent at the corner of Boylston Street and Berkeley Street to pick up your Medical Device Bag. The volunteers staffing the tent will match your bib number to your Medical Device Bag and hand you your bag.

Referenced in this map is the Medical Device Bag pick up location. 

You may use the Lactation Tent or Medical Device Trailer between your arrival at the Athletes’ Village in Hopkinton and your exit to the Start Line. The Start Line is a 0.7-mile walk from the Athletes’ Village exit. 

If you anticipate using the Lactation Tent at the Athletes’ Village, we recommend allotting the time you spend on average for lactation plus 15-20 minutes of waiting time (in the case that the Lactation Tent is fully occupied) in your planning for race day. There will be 16 lactation spaces in the Lactation Tent. Volunteers will facilitate entry and exit to the tent to help manage capacity and wait times.

Please note, although exit times from the Athletes’ Village are determined by your assigned wave and corral assignment, if you need additional time to use the Lactation Tent or Medical Device Trailer, you may move from your assigned Wave and Corral to a later Wave or Corral. For example, if you are assigned to Wave 1, you may move back to Wave 2, Wave 3, or Wave 4 in any corral EXCEPT the first corral in any Wave. However, you may NOT move to an earlier Wave or Corral. Violators are subject to penalties and/or disqualification.  

Please refer to the corral loading schedule to view approximate exit times from the Athletes’ Village for each wave and corral assignment and listen to the announcements on race day as these times are approximate and may vary slightly.