Info for Para & Adaptive Athletes

Para Athletes, Duo Team Runners & Riders, and Guide & Support Runners should pick up their bib packets, race shirts, and gear bags in Room 201 at the Boston Marathon Expo located at the John B. Hynes Veteran Memorial Convention Center, 900 Boylston Street in Boston, during posted hours.

Both members of a Duo Team are required to pick up their bib packets in Room 201.

All Guide and Support Runners will need to claim their bib packet in Room 201. Para athletes will be permitted to pick up a bib on behalf of their Guide or Support Runner.

Wheelchair Racers must attend the mandatory technical meeting on Sunday, April 19 in the Oval and Venetian Room at the Fairmont Copley Hotel.

Bib Pick-Up Hours

Friday, April 17, 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 18, 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 19, 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

Accessible transportation to the start for all Para athletes and their Guides and Support Runners registered in a Para Athlete Division or Program will depart from the Sheraton Boston Hotel located at 39 Dalton Street on race morning.

Para Athletes, Duo Team runners and riders, Guide and Support Runners must wear their Official Boston Marathon Bib in order to board the bus.

Transportation Check-In Times

Wheelchair Division (non-professional) – 5:00 a.m.

Para Athletics Division – 5:30 a.m.

Adaptive Program for Runners – 5:30 a.m.

Handcycle Program – 5:30 a.m.

Duo Teams – 5:30 a.m.

*Check-In Times subject to change

Note: Professional Wheelchair Athletes will receive a separate communication regarding their check-in and bus loading time.

The Guide Exchange Zone located at the 11.8 mile mark on the course is reserved for Guide Runners supporting athletes with vision impairments in the Para Athletics Division.

The B.A.A. will provide transportation to the Guide Exchange Zone at the 11.8 mile mark for Guide Runners who will be supporting an athlete during the second half of the race.

Guide Runners should check in with volunteers no later than 8:00 a.m. at the VIP Tent in Copley Square.

Guide Runners running the second half of the race should leave their labeled gear bags in the VIP Tent before boarding the bus.

Upon arrival at the Guide Exchange Zone, Guide Runners should check in with the Massachusetts Track & Field Official at the zone.

The bus will transport Guide Runners who ran the first half of the race back to Boston once all exchanges have occurred at approximately 11:10 a.m.

Note: Runners with vision impairments participating in the Adaptive program may run with up to two Guide Runners from the start of the race. 

The B.A.A. offers separate staging areas near the start for all athletes registered in a Para Athlete Division or Program of the Boston Marathon.

Para Athletes will be escorted to the start line at specific times by Massachusetts Track & Field Officials. 

Runners in the Adaptive Program will start the race among the Open field.

Para athletes, Duo Team runners and riders, Guide and Support Runners should retrieve their gear in the VIP Tent in Copley Square.

Due to space limitations and security protocols, only pre-identified athletes and credentialed personnel may access the VIP Tent.