128th Boston Marathon Lactation and Medical Device Program

The Boston Athletic Association 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.  

At the Start Area of the 128th Boston Marathon, there is a designated Lactation Tent and a Medical Device Trailer for runners to use pre-race. After the race has started, the Boston Athletic Association transports personal breast pumps and medical devices from the start to the finish for participants to pick up post-race. A designated Lactation Station in the Finish Area of the Boston Marathon is also available for participants to use after finishing the race.  

Additionally, over race weekend, there is a Mamava Lactation Pod at the Hynes Convention Center available to any runner, volunteer, or individual visiting the Boston Marathon Expo.  

Please reference the list of Frequently Asked Questions below to learn more about the Boston Marathon’s Lactation Accommodations and Medical Device Program over race weekend.  

If you are running the 128th Boston Marathon and anticipate using these accommodations on race day, we encourage you to read the 128th Boston Marathon Lactation and Medical Device Program Instructions to support your race day preparation.  

If you have any questions regarding the Lactation Accommodations and Medical Device Program at the 128th Boston Marathon, please contact accountservices@baa.org.   

 
Frequently Asked Questions 

What lactation accommodations are available at the 128th Boston Marathon? 

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 128th 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.  

What accommodations are available for medical device usage at the 128th Boston Marathon?  

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 128th Boston Marathon Lactation and Medical Device Program Instructions for your reference and planning.   

Are there maps that show the location of the available lactation and medical device accommodations?  

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

Will the B.A.A. transport breast milk from the Start Area to the Finish Area?  

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.

Where can I discard my breast milk? 

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.

What type of sanitation services will be available in the Start Area Lactation Tent and Finish Area 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.  

Where do I pick up a Medical Device Bag? 

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. 

What are the bag’s dimensions and specifications? 

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

What are allowable and prohibited items for transport in the Medical Device Bag?  

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.  

Where do I drop off my Medical Device Bag after using my breast pump and/or medical device at the Start Area? 

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. 

Where do I pick up my Medical Device Bag after crossing the Finish Line?  

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. 

How much time will I have before the race to use the Lactation Tent or Medical Device Trailer at the Start Area? 

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.