Get excited because TOMORROW is the 130^th Boston Marathon!! GOOD LUCK to our amazing Stepping Strong teammates! We are so proud of every one of you and can’t wait to cheer you on as you enter Kenmore Sq.! Please text or call Ali (857 505 1225) if you or your supporters need ANYTHING on race day! 

DO NOT FORGET your bib! This is your key running the race and to the indoor space at the Hopkinton High School Athlete Center! 

Stepping Strong Photographer Tony at the Starting Area

Our team photographer, Tony, will be in Hopkinton at Pan Thai Restaurant. Make sure you hug the right-hand side of the road as you head to the starting line, so you see him and smile big!

Stepping Strong Photographer Tony in Kenmore Sq. 

Tony will also be in Kenmore Sq. so make sure you hug the left-hand side of the road where the exclusive Stepping Strong cheering zone is and smile BIG knowing you are about to enter the final mile!

Stepping Strong Team Bag Pickup 

Come to the Revere Hotel after you complete your 26.2 miles! 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!  

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

From start to finish, 

Ali

We are TWO days away from Marathon Monday, so here are TWO reasons why we are so inspired by this incredible team: 

1. Your commitment and training to run 26.2 miles is remarkable along with your smiles and enthusiasm through the season make us smile!  

2. You have gone above and beyond in your fundraising for 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 – TODAY!!!
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

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

In the days leading up to a marathon, try to focus on several key aspects to ensure you are properly prepared both physically and mentally for the race. See below for THREE tips! 

1. Focus on staying well-hydrated and eating nutritious meals that are high in carbohydrates to fuel your muscles. Avoid trying new foods or supplements right before the race to prevent stomach issues! 

2. Prioritize getting plenty of sleep in the days leading up to the marathon to ensure your body is well-rested. Allow time for relaxation and light stretching to keep muscles loose. 

3. Try to minimize stress and anxiety by staying relaxed and maintaining a positive mindset. Engage in activities that help you relax, such as listening to music, spending time with loved ones, or practicing yoga or meditation. Spend time visualizing yourself running strong and crossing the finish line. Positive visualization can help reduce pre-race anxiety and build confidence.

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

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

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