Setting off on the other foot
Key distinctions highlight this year’s marathon
An unprecedented Boston Marathon is set to take place next week, as the iconic race will be run in the fall for the first time.
There will be many changes for the 125th running of the marathon on Monday, which was postponed from the traditional April date because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Here’s a look at what will be different during the weekend ahead of the race and on the big day:
•This year’s field size has been slashed by 36% compared to recent years. There will be 20,000 entrants, which is down from 31,500 entrants.
•The Athletes’ Village in Hopkinton has been eliminated, and there will be a rolling start for the first time in race history. Organizers said they did this to help with social distancing.
•All participants are required to provide proof of vaccination or produce a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of bus loading.
•A health and safety bracelet will be provided after proof of vaccination or when negative COVID19 test results are verified. The bracelet must be worn throughout race weekend and through the finish line.
•Masks are required indoors at the expo, on event transportation and within the start area until participants cross the starting line.
•Race organizers are telling participants to not kiss a stranger at the halfway mark of the course. A tradition for some runners is to kiss a fan at the “Wellesley College scream tunnel.”
•There will be six different groups in the rolling start schedule — which goes from 9 to 11:24 a.m.
•The professional men and women races will start earlier, at 8:37 and 8:45 a.m. respectively.
•The men’s wheelchair race and women’s wheelchair race will also kickoff earlier, at 8:02 and 8:05 a.m. respectively.
•The marathon will feature the first-ever Para Athletics Division, offering prize money and awards to athletes with visual impairments, lower-limb impairments, and upper-limb impairments. That starts at 8:50 a.m.
Last year’s in-person Boston Marathon was canceled during the height of the pandemic, and race organizers had a virtual run instead.
Monday will be the first in-person Boston Marathon since 2019.
“… This year’s 125th running of the Boston Marathon takes on an extra special significance,” Boston Athletic Association officials said in a statement. “As 20,000 athletes embark on Boston, we are eager to line up in Hopkinton for the first time since the COVID19 pandemic began in 2020.
“Joining from afar will be more than 28,000 participants, covering 26.2 miles in neighborhoods around the world,” they added. “Together we will all celebrate the determined spirit and resiliency of the running community.”
Participants are constantly tracking the weather forecast ahead of the marathon. They may have to deal with some wet weather as temps approach 70 degrees on Monday.
Forecasters are monitoring a system that could bring some showers.
“It’s not a picture-perfect marathon forecast, but not the worst marathon forecast we’ve had,” National Weather Service meteorologist Kristie Smith said, noting that the rain shouldn’t be nearly as heavy as in the nasty 2018 race.
Winds should be light, between 5 and 10 mph.