9 Days. WE DID IT WEDNESDAY!

Posted on by Alisheya Luthman

Join us on Wednesday, April 22 from 5:45pm-6:00pm EST to celebrate your 26.2 finish with the Stepping Strong Marathon Team! Be sure to wear your medal and jacket. RSVP here.

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

From start to finish, 

Ali

P.S. There MIGHT be a special chance drawing, so join if you can! 😊 

10 Days. Crossing the finish line and Post-Race Place

Posted on by Alisheya Luthman

Boylston Street and Crossing the FINISH LINE 

Post-Race Place at the Revere Hotel 

Come to the Revere Hotel after you complete your 26.2 miles to grab your gear bag, change, snap a photo, and reunite with your supporters! To get to the Revere, you will walk straight down Boylston, take a right onto Arlington St., a left onto Stuart St. and into the Revere Hotel!  

Runners will receive a goodie bag, but there will be no refreshments for guests. This area is intended for quick transitions, not for gathering. We encourage runners and their families to use this space as a meeting point before heading out to celebrate!  

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

From start to finish, 

Ali

11 Days. Cheering Zone at the One Mile to Go in Kenmore Sq. & Required Entry Pass

Posted on by Alisheya Luthman

Tell your family and friends to come cheer with us on Marathon Monday! Runners, be sure to hug the left side of the road as you enter Kenmore so we can see you, cheer you on, and snap your photo!

  • The Stepping Strong team has an exclusive cheer zone at the ‘One Mile to Go Block Party’ in Kenmore Sq.  (circled in pink on the map above)  
  • Driving: There is limited/ no parking in Kenmore Sq. on race day and we suggest all supporters access Kenmore Sq. via public transportation. However, if a car is required, you should park as close to Agganis Arena/BU side of Commonwealth Avenue and walk to Kenmore Sq. Please obey all traffic stops, no parking signs, etc., as some places indicate you cannot park there.  
  • If you take the MBTA, you have three options: 
    • Kenmore Square MBTA Stop
    • Fenway MBTA Stop (~10-minute walk): The underground pathway between one side of Comm Ave to the other side of Comm Ave in Kenmore Square WILL be open to cross to the marathon route and get to the event.  
    • Blandford St. MBTA Stop (~9-minute walk) 
  • If you are traveling by commuter rail (Worcester-Framingham Line), Lansdowne Station is closest and is about a 10-minute walk.  
  • Commonwealth Avenue will be open from Chestnut Hill Avenue MBTA Stop until Blandford Street MBTA Stop on the B Green Line. After that, the remainder of the road will be closed. Please keep this in mind when traveling.   
  • Upon reaching Kenmore Sq. you will need to go through a check-point and then follow the pink dots to our cheering zone!  
  • Dress appropriate for weather conditions.
  • We will not have food, water, or Porta Johns, at our cheering section. There will be public amenities available close by, or you can bring your own (subject to search).

REQUIRED ENTRY PASS 

The following pass is required (electronically or printed) for any family or friends wishing to enter the Kenmore Sq. Stepping Strong Cheer Zone Area 

Office Hours

Have questions about race weekend? Email marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu, call/text 857 505 1225, OR join me during office hours tomorrow:

From start to finish, 

Ali

13 days. Team Pep Rally & Gear Check Essentials

Posted on by Alisheya Luthman

Stepping Strong Marathon Team Pep Rally  

  • When: Saturday, April 18
  • Time: 1 – 3pm 
  • Where: Revere Hotel Boston Common, Silver Ballroom & Liberty Hall, 200 Stuart Street. Parking is available in the Revere Hotel garage, and the cost is the responsibility of the runner/guests.  
  • Who: Teammates & up to three (3) family members/friends! 
  • What: Lunch, mingling, sign & gear decorating (don’t forget to bring your singlet/t-shirt if you want to add your name/decorate!), photos with Meb Keflezighi, photo booth, short speaking segment, and team photo! 
  • Schedule of events: 
    • 1pm: Doors open, lunch is available, and activities sign/gear decorating
      • Lunch will include an array of sandwiches, salad, chips, pickles, cookies, and refreshments  
    • 2:15pm: Speaking segment  
    • 2:30pm: Team photo immediately following the speaking segment and photo opportunity with 2014 Men’s Boston Marathon winner, Meb Keflezighi 
    • 3pm: Event concludes  

Stepping Strong Marathon Team Gear Check (at Pep Rally)  

  • When: Saturday, April 18  
  • Time: 1 – 3pm 
  • Where: Revere Hotel Boston Common, Silver Ballroom & Liberty Hall, 200 Stuart Street 
  • What: Drop off your B.A.A. finish area gear check bag with us to pick up at the Revere following completion of the Marathon (go to the expo BEFORE the pep rally to ensure you have the right bag as we cannot accept any backpacks, totes, etc.)
  • How:  
    • Use the clear finish area gear bag provided by the B.A.A. at packet pick-up at the expo 
    • Affix the name sticker to your approved gear bag before handing it to team personnel 
    • The gear bag is separate than the Start Area Bag (a small one-gallon plastic bag that is the only allowed bag on B.A.A. buses and in Hopkinton) 
  • FAQs: 
    • What if I can’t make the pep rally but want to drop off my finish area gear bag with Stepping Strong?  
    • What if I don’t want to drop off my gear bag at the Revere?  
      • The choice is yours! If you prefer to use the B.A.A. gear check on race morning, you may check your clear plastic finish area gear bag at designated gear check areas on Boylston Street and Berkeley Street beyond the finish line. This area is two blocks east of the finish line and one block west of the Boston Public Garden. You can read more about it by clicking here.
        • Drop-Off Hours: 
          • 5:45 a.m.–9:15 a.m. 
        • Pick-Up Hours: 
          • 11:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. 
    • What is the difference between the start area bag and the finish area gear bag? 
      • The start area bag is meant for items you want to have pre-race in Hopkinton. This one-gallon clear plastic bag is to carry food items or sports drink. This bag is subject to search and is allowed on the official buses.  
      • The finish area bag is meant for items you’ll need after the race like a change of clothes, finishers jacket, personal hygiene items, etc.  

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

From start to finish, 

Ali