Racewalkers,
Congratulations and welcome to the 103nd Boston Marathon! By now you've received your confirmaton with your bib number, along with some marathon details and merchandise information. Please follow the official instructions you received with the BAA materials. Here are a few additional race day details.
Wear you bib number and "ChampionChip". Plan on taking the bus from Boston out to Hopkinton on race morning. The buses will whisk competitors with bib numbers from Copley Square in Boston to the high school in Hopkinton in approximately 50 minutes.
To get to the bus, take the subway (MBTA) to the Arlington Street Station or to the Convention Center/ICA Station. (The Copley Square Station will be closed on Marathon Day.) Board the buses on St. James Ave., between the Boston Public Library and the Trinity Church. Buses will begin loading at 6:30 A.M. and continue until 8:30 A.M. Each bus will leave as soon as it is full.
If you're driving to the start, note that the streets in Hopkinton, will close at 6:00 A.M. Buses will be available for runners dropped off at the South Street parking lot (off of 495) until 8:00 A.M.
Baggage that you want at the finish line, may be placed in the baggage buses which will be set up at the high school.
Most of the competitors will wait, before for the race, at the Athlete Village at the high school, anxiously sipping cups of coffee. The high school has been reserved from volunteers and officials. I have arranged additional accommodations that I hope you can take advantage of.
You are welcome to meet the rest of the racewalkers and friends, prepare your feet, use the WC, keep warm, and relax at the home of Mark & Terry, Timothy and Kyle Braga. You may arrive as early as necessary.
Their home is located a less than 1 kilometer from the high school, and one-half kilometer from Hayden Rowe Street. The Braga's have opened their home to racewalkers in past Boston Marathons. Their address is 6 Kerry Lane, Hopkinton, MA 01748 (phone 508-435-7804).
Here are directions from the Hopkinton High School to the Braga's home:
The high school is at the intersection of Grove Street and Hayden Rowe Street. There is a MOBIL gas station on Hayden Rowe Steet. Walk down Hayden Rowe Street and take the first right onto Robbern Road. Stay on Robbern Road, walk past the first intersection, and continue to the end of Robbbern. Then, take a right onto Eastview, walk approximately, 50 meters, and take a left onto Kerry Lane. The Braga's home is the third house on the right. It's a beige garrison with green shutters. There is a Boston Globe newspaper box at their mailbox.
I've included a computer generated map with this notice. E-mail users may double-click on the attachment or open the map with a web browser. I also posted the map at the New England Walkers's web site:
After the race, you can meet the baggage buses on Boylston Street. Although the finish line will remain "officially" open until 6:00 P.M., you should plan on picking up your baggage before that time. Baggage not picked up by that time may be locked in the BAA office and will not be available until the following morning.
Changing areas will be available. Be sure to remove the "ChampionChip" from your shoe and return it to the appropriate person. (Consider this before you lace the chip onto your shoe.) Volunteers will assist you if necessary. Family members can meet you at the finish at the area at the end of Boylston Street, near the Boston Common.
After the race, you are welcome to join the New England Walkers and the Back Bay Road Runners, at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel. The Farimont Copley Plaza Hotel, (phone 617-267-5300) is at 138 St. James Avenue, near the Boston Public Library in Copley Square. When arriving at the hotel, ask at the desk for the room number, which will be under the "Back Bay Road Runners" or Roberta Allison.
Showers and refreshments will be available for race competitors and guests. Please bring a towel and invite friends and family to meet you at the hotel after the race between 3 and 6 P.M. Those with enough energy will proceed to the official Boston marathon post race party at the Avalon on Lansdowne Street. Continuous shuttles will be provided.
If you want, you may leave a change of clothes at the Farimont Copley Plaza Hotel before the race. You may meet at the hotel between 7:30 A.M. and 8:15 A.M., drop off your clothes or extra baggage with the cocierge, and walk across the street to the buses on St. James Ave.
Please call me if you have any questions or concerns on the Marathon, housing, transportation, etc.
As always, I wish all of you the best! -- Justin Kuo
You can reach me at home at 617-731-9889, or at work at 781-821-3000, extension 5410, or by FAX at 617-731-9062. My address is 39 Oakland Road, Brookline, MA 02445. In event of an emergency, you may New England Walkers member Priscilla Frappier (781-891-0519.)
New England Walkers
newenglandwalkers@kuo.freeservers.com
39 Oakland Road
Brookline, MA 02445-6700
United States
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This page was last updated
Monday, April 12, 1999.
Corrections? Contact Justin
Kuo (617-731-9889)
