Getting to Hopkinton

Take the B.A.A. buses from Boston to Hopkinton! The B.A.A. recommends all athletes get to the start in Hopkinton by using the official B.A.A. buses. DO NOT arrive too early for your bus loading time! You won’t be allowed to board the buses if you’re early and you don’t want to be standing on your feet too long. We recommend coming to see us at Starbucks no earlier than 30-minutes before your bus loading time.

Drop-Off In Hopkinton

Starting Area in Hopkinton

Team Photographers, Steve and Tony!

Runners, our team photographers, Steve (L) and Tony (R), will be in Hopkinton at Pan Thai Restaurant (pink circle on the map below) which is along the street where you will line up in your wave/corrals. Make sure you hug the right-hand side of the road as you head to the starting line, so you see them and smile big!

FAQs:

• What time should I get to Starbucks?
  • You should get to Starbucks no earlier than 30 minutes before your bus loading time!

Bib Numbers	Wave	Recommended Starbucks Time
201-8,499	1	~6:25am
8,500-16,999	2	~7:10am
17,000-25,499	3	~7:55am
25,500-33,999	4	~8:40am

• What is allowed on the racecourse?
  • Please review a list of allowable and prohibited items by clicking here.

• What’s on the course on race day?

Have questions about race weekend? Make sure to review our last team meeting PowerPoint by clicking HERE! Still have questions? Email marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu.

From start to finish,

Ali and Ally

Stepping Strong Marathon Team Pep Rally

• When: Saturday, April 19
• Time: 1 – 3pm
• Where: Revere Hotel Boston Common Grand Ballroom, 200 Stuart Street. Parking is available in the Revere Hotel garage, and the cost is the responsibility of the runner/guests.
• Who: Stepping Strong 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 served, and activities begin
    • Lunch will include an array of sandwiches, salad, chips, pickles, cookies, and non-alcoholic refreshments
  • 1pm – 1:50pm: Photos with 2014 Men’s Boston Marathon winner, Meb Keflezighi
  • 2:30pm: Speaking segment
  • 2:55pm: Team photo immediately following the speaking segment
  • 3pm: Event concludes

BWH Gear Check (at Pep Rally)

• When: Saturday, April 19
• Time: 1 – 3pm
• Where: Revere Hotel Boston Common Grand Ballroom, 200 Stuart Street
• What: Drop off your B.A.A. finish area gear check bag with BWH to pick up at the Revere following completion of the Marathon
• How:
  • Use the clear finish area gear bag provided by the B.A.A. at packet pick-up at the expo (we recommend going to the expo BEFORE the pep rally so you have the right bag!)
  • Affix the name sticker to your approved gear bag before handing it to BWH 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 BWH?
    • No problem! Email marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu and we will coordinate logistics.
  • What if I don’t want to drop off my gear bag with BWH?
    • 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.
      • 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.

Have questions about race weekend? Make sure to review our last team meeting PowerPoint by clicking HERE! Still have questions? Email marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu.

From start to finish,

Ali and Ally

As we gear up for the 129th Boston Marathon, we’ll be sending out daily emails with important events, meetings, and reminders leading up to race weekend. Each message will contain key details to help you feel confident, organized, and fully prepared—so please be sure to read every email thoroughly. This is an exciting time, and with so much to keep track of, these emails will be your go-to guide to ensure everything goes smoothly. We don’t want you to miss a thing!

Boston Marathon Expo

Attendance is mandatory for all runners for the Boston Marathon Expo. Details can be found below.

• What: Pick up your bib, race packet, and B.A.A. shirt
  • Don’t forget to bring your Government Issued Photo ID!
  • You and ONLY you can pick up your race day bib, packet, and shirt!
• Where: Hynes Convention Center (900 Boylston St.)
• When:
  • Friday, April 18: 10am – 7pm
  • Saturday, April 19: 9am – 7pm
  • Sunday, April 20: 9am – 6pm

You can read additional information on the B.A.A.’s website by clicking here.

Support a Stepping Strong Runner Day – Hats!

Hats were mailed to donors who gave $50+ via TeamRaiser on Support a Stepping Strong Runner Day (3/26) last week – we hope your supporters are ready for Marathon Monday in their new swag! Please check in with your supporters to ensure they received their hat. Have them email us if they have any questions or haven’t received it yet!

Have questions about race weekend? Make sure to review our last team meeting PowerPoint by clicking HERE! Still have questions? Email marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu.

From start to finish,

Ali and Ally

Have questions about race weekend? Make sure to review our last team meeting PowerPoint HERE! Still have questions? Email marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu. Do NOT forget that tomorrow is the last day to…

• Sign up for a fundraising check-in call by clicking here.
• Submit your photos throughout the season by clicking here.

Reminder that the Boston Marathon Expo is Mandatory for ALL runners!!

• What: Pick up your bib, race packet, and B.A.A. shirt
  • Don’t forget to bring your Government Issued Photo ID!
• Where: Hynes Convention Center (900 Boylston St.)
• When:
  • Friday, April 18: 10am – 7pm
  • Saturday, April 19: 9am – 7pm
  • Sunday, April 20: 9am – 6pm

Last Fundraising Milestones – you know you want them!!

Social Media

Don’t forget to post photos on social media and tag the following accounts:

• Stepping Strong
• Brigham and Women’s Hospital
• Boston Marathon
• Team B.A.A.

And use the following hashtags:

• #SteppingStrong
• #Boston129
• #MeetTheMoment
• #BostonMarathon

If you have any questions, please contact us at marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu.

From start to finish,

Ali, Ally, and Caroline

Hi Stepping Strong Runners, 

It is hard to believe that the 129^th Boston Marathon is just 19 days away! We are looking forward to celebrating you and your accomplishments, meeting your family and friends, and thanking you for your support of the Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation. This team inspires us to continue our work in trauma research and care, and we are thankful for each and every one of you. 

We are pleased to share the 2024 Stepping Strong Impact Report. This is a recap of all that we have accomplished celebrating a decade of hope and healing at the Stepping Strong Center. As you will see, we are making great strides to change the lives of trauma patients and it is because of you, your supporters, and everyone who has become part of the Stepping Strong community.  

We hope that as an ambassador of the Stepping Strong Center, you will share the report with your network of supporters so they can learn more about how your marathon run is advancing trauma care. We hope this tool will help you meet and exceed your fundraising goals! See below for a brief overview of the report’s highlights: 

• A moving message from the Brigham president, and your 2025 Boston Marathon Stepping Strong teammate, Dr. Giles Boland 

• A look ahead to how the Stepping Strong Center will continue advancing the continuum of trauma care with your support 

• Introductions to innovative projects from the next generation of trauma leaders and researchers

• Events that fuel trauma care that you and your supporters can join every year 

And so much more! 

Keep up the hard work—we know we will—and thank you for #SteppingStrong. 

We will see you soon! 

The Stepping Strong Center Leadership