Let’s be clear:
This is *NOT* advocating for a mass running of the Boston Marathon on April 20th. The current COVID-19 pandemic would make that outright foolish.
If you are hesitant about this idea because of perceived health risks, please take a moment to explore the details. You will find that this concept is fully thought out – to preserve the Patriots Day tradition, as well as the health and safety of all those involved, and our entire global community. If any questions remain, please reach out. If we don’t have a solution already, together we will find one.
On Patriots Day (Monday April 20, 2020):
- There will be NO expo and no actual “gathering” of more than one to two people at any one time..
- Field size of 15 entrants, who may never even see each other. All runners will run the race solitary, and if they happen to overtake another runner will do so with a wide berth provided by both parties.
- The official timer will set up a timing mat at the start prior to arrival of the athletes, sound the ‘gun’ and supervise the start from within their vehicle. Once the final athlete has crossed the start, they will exit their vehicle and disassemble the start area. There will be no actual human interaction.
- Each athlete is responsible for their own transportation to the start, and from the finish – ideally provided by someone they live with. They will arrive at the start, wait in their vehicle until their time to start, then exit the vehicle and begin running. Once they have crossed the start line the next entrant will exit their vehicle and begin their race. To minimize on course passing, the entrants will be seeded based on expected finish times.
- There will be NO start festival. The B.A.A may even opt to not publicly share the official start time, so as to avoid any potential congregation of spectators along the course.
- There will be NO aid stations. This will be a self supported run, and athletes must carry their own hydration and nutrition.
- Road closures will not be required. Runners will run on sidewalks or the shoulder (facing traffic) as they would when running around their own neighborhoods. That said, the presence of an official “event” may make it easier to discourage or even enforce the restriction of others unofficially running the course.
- There will be NO fanfare at the finish line. NO medals, food, or crowds. Runners will finish their race and go home – they will return in September to celebrate their feat!
- Supporters of this proposal commit NOT to attempt an unofficial run on this course on the original date, respect the B.A.A.s postponement of their wave, and cheer on the torchbearers from home!
- Any additional adjustments will be made based on up to the minute developments of the COVID-19 pandemic per guidance of the appropriate experts and authorities.
Just after Patriot Day (Monday September 14, 2020)
- Mass participation of the Boston Marathon (hopefully) occurs. 30,000 runners from around the world safely convene in Boston.
- The official clock has been running the entire 147 days! This is the same event, and the Patriots Day tradition continues.