Stepping Strong Teammates, 

In just under a week, you will journey from Hopkinton to Boston, and we are SO incredibly grateful that you will be stepping strong with a unified purpose of helping trauma survivors. You are a critical part of our Stepping Strong family, and we are so grateful for every one of you! 

April 15, now known as One Boston Day, marks the anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombing tragedy. Each year, our family pauses on this day, with both sadness and strength in our hearts, to reflect on the life-changing events that occurred thirteen years ago. Despite so many uncertain things in the world, we feel the power of the global community coming together for the common good. This is not news to us; it is how Boston rallied in 2013 in the wake of the marathon bombings. In this city, you don’t mess with us! We are resilient and we pull together to take care of one another. 

We are humbled to say that this spirit lives on in the Stepping Strong Center. It defines how we tackle the complex issues that face trauma patients, how we collaborate to develop innovative solutions that improve lives, and how we strive to educate the next generation of medical leaders. 

Thank you for joining us, from near and afar, and for supporting this meaningful work. Most importantly, thank you for helping us turn unanticipated tragedies into hope. 

We can’t wait to see you at the Pep Rally!  

Xo Audrey, Steven, Danielle, Kyle, Elyse, Gillian, Matt, and baby Leo

The Beehive and Cosmica + Stepping Strong

Head on over to The Beehive or Cosmina restaurants on Marathon Monday! Both are convenient, great spots for your post-marathon meal! Go to www.beehiveboston.com or www.cosmicaboston.com to make a reservation.

 J.Crew + Stepping Strong

The Stepping Strong Center is partnering with J.Crew on Newbury Street for a shopping fundraiser the day after the marathon, Tuesday, April 21 from 9am to 1pm.

You, your families, friends, and anyone looking to shop are welcome to stop by the store, where all purchases will include complimentary embroidery. 15% of proceeds will be donated to the Stepping Strong Center.

Click on each of the following bullets to make sure you are prepared for race weekend!  

1. Boston Marathon Expo  

2. Pep Rally & Gear Check at the Revere Hotel 

3. Getting to Hopkinton and Start Line Area.  

4. Cheering Zone at the One Mile To Go in Kenmore Square & Required Entry Pass  

5. Crossing the finish line, and Post-Race

Important Updates from the B.A.A.

• Commemorative Gift from Bank of America: Please stop by the Bank of America booth at the Expo for a special commemorative gift for athletes running in support of a nonprofit.

• Indoor Space at Athletes’ Village on Marathon Morning: A reminder that athletes who are participating in the 130^th Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America on behalf of a member of the 2026 Bank of America Boston Marathon Official Charity Program will have access to indoor space at the Hopkinton High School Athletic Center in Athletes’ Village on race morning. This is a fantastic benefit for your team members as they will be dry and warm and protected from the elements on marathon morning until they head down to the marathon start line. A map with directions to this indoor space in Athletes’ Village is attached – please share this map with your team members. As shared earlier, access to this indoor space will be provided ONLY to those athletes who have a B.A.A. Gives Back decal on their race bibs.

• Boston Marathon Finish Line Closes at 5:30PM: A reminder that the Boston Marathon finish line closes at 5:30PM. Athletes who complete the Boston Marathon after 5:30PM will not have official finish times. Additional course directional signage will be available for post-race participants and course support will be provided by the B.A.A., the American Red Cross and Medical Volunteers.

• Remember to visit https://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon for the most up-to-date race weekend information!  

Please email marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu or call/text 857 505 1225 if you need anything at all! 

From start to finish, 

Ali

Marathon Monday is almost here, and we want to make sure you have every tool you need to reach your fundraising goals in these final days.

The 2025 Stepping Strong Impact Report is out now, and we encourage you to use the stories and impact within as you head into the final stretch. Share the link with your donors, post it on social, or include it in a personal ask. Your networks will see exactly what you’re supporting and how your run is helping change the lives of trauma survivors. 

You can see the whole report here: https://steppingstrong.bwh.harvard.edu/our-impact/#impact-report 

You’ve put in the miles. Now let’s make every dollar count. We’re so grateful for each of you, and so are the patients whose lives you’re helping transform.

The Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation