The B.A.A. has the ears (and hearts) of countless in the running community! Use that leverage to give back to the community during this time of great need.

Ultra runner David Kilgore over $16,000 by running 100 miles solo in FL. He used that money to support struggling NYC running stores and buy comfortable footwear for the medical workers at NYC hospitals. If one person can raise $16,000, how much impact can the B.A.A have?

Fifteen symbolic runners completing the *original* marathon course of 24.5 miles allows the first elite to cross the Boylston St. finish line in Sept to still be the overall 26.2 mile marathon winner. It also allows those on April 20th to continue from Copley Square to Mass General Hospital, and with a little creative routing finish their 26.2 at MGH.

After running the original American Marathon, those athletes could pickup a small bag (symbolic of the likely much larger donations) to carry to the hospital and symbolically present on behalf of the running community.

Funds raised could be used to purchase shoes (and other running apparel), meals, medical masks and any other necessary supplies from *local* businesses for local hospitals.

I suspect corporate sponsors may be able to match certain donations – for example donations made *during* the event could be matched. This would also help to discourage others from being out on the course unofficially.

The B.A.A could also have special codes generated on their website for all who login during the April 20th running (again keeping people OFF the course). Between April and September local businesses could offer a discount to all who have claimed those codes.

By making it relevant, the Boston Marathon can support medical personnel, bolster suffering small business and decrease unofficial strains on the course – all while honoring the original roots of this great race!