Home Races Boston Marathon Info for Volunteers
Info for Volunteers
B.A.A. Volunteers take pride in their roles supporting Boston Marathoners and ensuring a positive race experience.
Volunteer Registration Will Open in December
Athletes' VillageVolunteer Assignments
Volunteer job descriptions and opportunities
Pre-Race
- Pre-Race Opportunities
Race Day
- Hopkinton
- Boston
- Medical
- Amateur Radio
Pre-Race Roles
Volunteers assist with pre-race preparation for the Boston Marathon including bib stuffing and packet stuffing.
Throughout the 3-Day Expo, athletes from around the world come to pick up their race materials. Volunteers assist them at the start of their Boston Marathon experience.
Volunteers will staff a booth at the Expo to help sell official adidas/B.A.A. Boston Marathon merchandise to the thousands of athletes and the public in attendance.
Official participants will pick up their bib numbers at the expo. Volunteers will welcome runners to Boston and distribute their bibs.
Volunteers should be comfortable using an iPad. Volunteers may also assist with a separate bib pick up for the Para Athletes.
Official participants will pick up their shirts at the expo. Volunteers will distribute shirts.
Volunteers may not be face to face with athletes and should be prepared to help with stocking shirts.
Expo ambassadors assist with greeting participants, answering FAQs, and general way-finding at the expo.
Fan Fest volunteers help support smooth operations at Fan Fest by assisting event staff and sponsors with a variety of needs. Volunteers greet visitors and help generate excitement. More details on Fan Fest can be found on the Fan Fest event page.
Race Day Roles in Hopkinton
7:00am-12:30pm
This team will welcome and help to orient athletes as they arrive. Please note that all volunteers will be expected to assist with venue cleanup and breakdown.
6:30am-12:30pm
This team monitors the entrance and exit areas of the Village, directs and guides athletes, and restricts unofficial runners from entering the Village. Please note that all volunteers will be expected to assist with venue cleanup and breakdown.
6:30am-12:30pm
This team assists with the assembly of the food tent and distribution of pre-race refreshments in the Athletes’ Village to participants as they wait to head to the Start Line. Please note that all volunteers will be expected to assist with venue cleanup and breakdown.
6:30am-12:30pm
Volunteers will be some the first faces participants see on race morning. They welcome and direct our running club buses as they arrive at Athlete’s Village, ensuring that traffic runs smoothly.
6:30am-1:00pm
Volunteers collect any clothing left behind in the Athletes’ Village or at the Start Line for donation to a local charity.
7:00am-12:30pm
In an effort to reduce the waste footprint of B.A.A. events, Green Team volunteers play an important role in our sustainability efforts. Volunteers will assist with the diversion of waste destined for the landfill, collecting recycling and compost, and educating participants on how and where to dispose of bottles, food, wrappers, etc.
7:00am-12:30pm
Hydration volunteers assist with passing out water pre-race to participants.
7:30am-12:30pm
Corral Entrance Monitors are responsible for monitoring runners entering the corral system. Corral entrance monitors will be posted at the entrance to each corral. Volunteers will also stand in and around the corral area to ensure that runners remain in their appropriate corrals.
7:30am-12:30pm
Marshal volunteers are responsible for monitoring the corral system and the professional athlete area, ensuring that spectators and unregistered runners do not enter the system.
Parking volunteers are some of the first faces our runners see on race morning. We depend on these volunteers to welcome the runners and set the tone for a great day. These volunteers help direct incoming cars to designated spaces, as well as coordinating traffic flow in highly congested areas.
Hopkinton State Park
5:30am-12:30pm
176 South Street
5:00am-12:30pm
52 South Street
6:30am-12:30pm
Race Day Roles in Boston
Check-in location: Park Plaza Hotel
Check-in time: 11:00 a.m.
Check-out time: 5:30 p.m.
The Family Meeting Area is a designated place for families to reunite with their runners after they complete the race. Volunteers help with giving directions and talking with families to help them find their athlete.
Check-in location: Boston Common on Charles Street
Check-in time: 5:45 a.m.
Check-out time: 10:30 a.m.
Participants are able to take the buses from Boston to Hopkinton on race morning.
Volunteers help load the buses and wish all athletes good luck as they make their journey to the start line.
Check-in location: Gear Check Tents, Corner of Berkeley Street and Boylston Street
Check-in time: 4:30 a.m.
Check-out time: 11:00 a.m.
The first shift of gear check volunteers will help receive belongings from athletes before they head out to the start in Hopkinton.
Check-in location: Park Plaza Hotel
Check-in time: 11:00 a.m.
Check-out time: 6:30 p.m.
The second shift of gear check volunteers will help return belongings to athletes who have just completed the Boston Marathon.
Check-in location: Park Plaza Hotel
Check-in time: 7:15am
Check-out time: 5:30pm
Volunteers assist with checking credentials for secured zones on race day. Marshals also help with crowd flow and congratulating runners post-event. Event Marshals are assigned to a variety of sectors within the Finish Area.
Check-in location: Park Plaza Hotel
Check-in time: 9:30 a.m.
Check-out time: 5:30 p.m.
Volunteers help distribute food bags to finishers after the race. Be prepared for a long day outside!
Check-in location: Park Plaza Hotel
Check-in time: 6:15am
Check-out time: 12:00pm
Volunteers assist with checking in volunteers for assignments, distributing credentials, and distributing jackets. Volunteers should be comfortable using an iPad.
Race Day Medical Roles
Most medical volunteer spots are staffed by returning volunteers. New volunteers can apply as a Medical – Wherever I’m Needed volunteer.
In order to apply to your typical assignment, you will need your group name and passcode from your team captain.
Race Day Amateur Radio Volunteers
This group of volunteers are communications specialists and assist in the transfer of both emergency and routine messages during the race. An FCC Amateur Radio license is required to act as an Amateur Radio Volunteer, much like you need a driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle. If you are not already licensed and are interested in getting licensed reach out to us at contact hamradioboston.org. There are certain volunteer jobs that do not require (although encourage) an FCC Amateur Radio license. Our service is made effective as it focuses upon the clarity, efficiency and accuracy of the communications links we provide. Volunteers who have public safety communications experience are among those so qualified. Please write contact@hamradioboston.org to see if you qualify.
Check-in location: TBD
Check-in time: 4:15 a.m.
Check-out time: 1:00 p.m.
The START team is the “First on the Air” Monday morning and plays a key role in setting the tone for the day.
This team of approximately 40 volunteers works with many B.A.A. Volunteers and Staff ensure the safe and expedient release of athletes onto the course.
Volunteers work in all aspects of the START, from runner transport to their final release onto the course.
Check-in locations: TBD
Check-in time: Between 5:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m.
Check-out time: Between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
The COURSE team are the “eyes and ears” of the Race Operation Center along the 26.2 miles between Hopkinton and Boston.
This team of approximately 100 volunteers are stationed with the Medical Tents and Hydration Stations along the course.
This team provides routine status updates, assists with exception handling, and provides an emergency communications avenue to their assigned Medical or Hydration Station captain during the race.
Check-in location: TBD
Check-in time: 6:30 a.m.
Check-out time: 6:00 p.m.
The TRANSPORTATION team assists runners who drop out of the race at each of the Medical Stations along the route and need to get back to Boston by a means other than their running shoes.
This team of approximately 40 volunteers partners with bus drivers and medical teams navigating up and down the course.
This is a very unique view of the race that few will ever have and is also the most accessible volunteer role to those who have limited mobility or endurance.
Check-in location: Park Plaza Hotel
Check-in time: 6:30 a.m.
Check-out time: 7:00 p.m.
The FINISH team “brings it home” welcoming tens of thousands of runners down Boylston Street.
This team of approximately 60 volunteers will either partner with a medical “sweep team”, fill a communication role stationed at a key Finish Area location, or act as a Communications Assistant to a race staff member.
This team ensures that communication flowing accurately and efficiently among the medical sweep teams, the numerous medical tents, key Finish Area locations, and the Race Operations Center.
Check-in location: TBA – Brookline, MA (Not Easily Accessible by Public Transit)
Check-in time: 7:00 a.m.
Check-out time: 6:00 p.m.
The NET CONTROL team is the “nerve center” of COURSE and TRANSPORTATION Amateur Radio Teams.
This team of approximately 30 volunteers conduct numerous directed nets across the wide variety of frequencies used for the Boston Marathon.
This team is responsible for passing traffic between radio operators, other network control centers, public safety partners, and the Race Operations Center.
Check-in location: Park Plaza Hotel
Check-in time: 6:30 a.m.
Check-out time: 7:00 p.m.
The NET CONTROL (FINISH) team is the “nerve center” of FINISH Amateur Radio Team.
This team of approximately 20 volunteers conduct numerous directed nets across the wide variety of frequencies used for the Boston Marathon.
This team is responsible for passing traffic between radio operators, other network control centers, public safety partners, and the Race Operations Center.
Volunteering with the B.A.A.
Learn about what it means to volunteer at the Boston Marathon.