Logistics

Tomorrow is Marathon Monday! I can't believe it's already here. 

I have been receiving a lot of questions about the day-of logistics and thought I would put all the information I have in one place. Let me know if there are other questions I can answer, as well!

Tracking Runners

The AT&T Athlete Alert system is the best way to keep track of runners during the race. The easiest way to enroll is to text the runner's bib number (mine is 32046) to the number 345678. You will receive a confirmation text that includes the runner's name. Not sure of the bib number for the person you want to track? Click here to look it up by their first/last name.

You can also track runners via e-mail or online here: http://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/participant-information/att-athlete-alert.aspx

Watching the Marathon

Mile 10 Fan Club: Many of you are planning to watch from Mile 10 in Natick. The group will be just a few houses west of the intersection of Rte. 135 and Washington Ave (NOT STREET). Many of my co-workers and Voices friends are planning to be there - look for the orange Team Beaston shirts and a Dora the Explorer balloon. If you are driving in from out of town, the Natick commuter rail stop is a short walk away, or you can park at the Sons of Italy on Washington Ave. Due to the restrictions described below, there will likely be fans on both sides of the street. I don't know exactly what time I'll arrive in Natick, but my earliest estimate for Mile 10 is just before 1pm.

Are you planning on watching from somewhere else? Let me know your planned location and what side of the street to look for you (my left or my right). If you will have a balloon or a sign, let me know! It will make it much easier for me to spot you.

If you are curious about the best places to watch the marathon, I will refer you back to this post that I put together last year. The only difference is that BOTH the Copley and Arlington T stations will be closed this year, but you can still use Hynes, Prudential, or Back Bay to get to the finish line area. Click here for more information about riding the T on Marathon Monday.

Race organizers are doing everything they can to preserve the energy and the community feel of the Marathon. However, you may find that in areas where you used to be able to cross the course on foot, there are now barriers in place. I'm not sure exactly where those extra barriers will be up, but I would recommend that spectators expect not to be able to cross the course at all. Plan ahead, and you can be pleasantly surprised if your area of the course isn't gated off after all. 

Lastly, just as runners have been restricted in what they can bring with them to the course, spectators are also being asked to follow specific rules. Most notably, no one can bring backpacks or coolers, which I know many people usually do, and there can be no liquid containers of more than 1 liter. See below for the full list of banned items and be aware that there will be a "significant" police presence, with both uniformed and plain-clothed officers.

 Celebrating!

I am very, very excited to cross the finish line for the first time this year. However, I'm just as excited about the "second finish line" at the Westin Copley Place that has been set up for our Marathon Coalition charity teams. Here, we will cheer for our fellow finishers as they enter post-race, covered in sweat and a Jedi robe (at right). This will be a very special experience for us, since many of us weren't able to make it to the Westin to reunite after last year's race. I plan to spend at least a couple of hours there after I'm done. Family, friends, anyone who plans to watch from the Boston area - you are welcome to join us! There will be food, a cash bar, and plentiful happy tears. Let me know if you want more specific directions about where to meet us.

Natick area friends - last year we had an impromptu gathering at Morse Tavern once I got home, and that is something I would like to do again. I don't know exactly what time we will get there, but come join me for a burger and a beer sometime after 7. Let me know if you plan to come and I'll keep you posted on the timing!

Thanks to everyone for their tremendous support. I can't wait to see you all tomorrow!