BOSTON—In anticipation of the 126th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 18, the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) today announced the Grand Marshal, Official Starters, and festivities in celebration of the world’s oldest annually run marathon.
Boston Pride To Serve As Ceremonial Grand Marshals
Boston Pride team captains Jillian Dempsey (Winthrop, MA) and Mary Parker (Milton, MA) will serve as honorary Grand Marshals for the 126th Boston Marathon, leading 30,000 participants from start to finish. Dempsey and Parker helped the Boston Pride claim their second straight Isobel Cup Championship as part of the Premier Hockey Federation.
Dempsey and Parker will be driven to the finish in the all-new 2022 Honda Passport 5-passenger SUV, where they will join the rest of their Pride teammates on Boylston Street.
The Boston Marathon will also feature a flyover of two C-130s out of the Bradley Air National Guard Base. The aircrafts will fly over the course beginning with the Hopkinton start line at approximately 9:58 a.m. ET and finishing over the Boylston Street finish line at approximately 10:03 a.m. ET.
126th Boston Marathon Official Starters
1972 sixth-place finisher Valerie Rogosheske, African-American running icon Marilyn Bevans, 1968 champion Amby Burfoot, and Boston Marathon Race Director Dave McGillivray will be among the honorary starters helping set participants on their way from the start line in Hopkinton. A complete list of starters can be found below.
DIVISION/PROGRAM, START TIME, STARTER, DESCRIPTION
Men’s Wheelchair, 9:02 a.m. ET, Marilyn Bevans – 3-time top-10 finisher at Boston and first African-American woman to run sub-3 hours in the marathon
Women’s Wheelchair, 9:05 a.m. ET, Marilyn Bevans – 3-time top-10 finisher at Boston and first African-American woman to run sub-3 hours in the marathon
Handcycles & Duos, 9:30 a.m. ET, Dave McGillivray – Boston Marathon Race Director who will be running his 50th consecutive Boston Marathon this year (more below)
Professional Men, 9:37 a.m. ET, Amby Burfoot – 1968 Boston Marathon Champion who is also running this year
Professional Women, 9:45 a.m. ET, Val Rogosheske – One of the “Original Eight” finishers from the inaugural women’s division at Boston in 1972; running this year, 50 years after finishing 6th, with her two daughters
Para Athletics Division, 9:50 a.m. ET, Christina Whelton – Member of the distinguished Brown family who has served as Boston Marathon starters for nearly a century
Wave 1, 10:00 a.m. ET, JT Peebles – 2020 #BAAGivesBack contest winner from Nebraska, running his 10th consecutive Boston Marathon
Wave 2, 10:25 a.m. ET, Phil Powers – 35-year veteran of the Hopkinton Police Department who retired in January
Wave 3, 10:50 a.m. ET, Mike Mansir – Hopkinton Highway Manager who coordinates all DPW efforts surrounding the marathon for the last 26 years
Wave 4, 11:15 a.m. ET, Mary Carver – 25-year Administrative Assistant at the Hopkinton Fire Department who retired in February
Boston Marathon Fan Fest presented by Amazon Returns with Star-Studded Panels
Boston Marathon Fan Fest presented by Amazon in Copley Square Park will be the place to soak in the race week atmosphere, enjoy live entertainment, and listen to star-studded panels featuring champions, Olympic medalists, running icons and more. Fan Fest is free and open to the public, and features programming on Friday, April 15 (12:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.); Saturday, April 16 (10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.); and Sunday, April 17 (10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.).
Visit baa.org for a complete schedule of events, list of panelists, and entertainment.
All-New Sam Adams Run Pub to Debut on Dartmouth Street
New for 2022, participants and their families are encouraged to relax and unwind at the Sam Adams Run Pub just steps from the Boston Marathon finish line. Located at the corner of Dartmouth Street and Boylston Street near Copley Square Park, the Boston Marathon Run Pub will be a marathon-themed beer hall featuring Samuel Adams 26.2 Brew. The Run Pub will be open on Friday, April 15 from 3:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 16 from 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Dave McGillivray To Complete 50th Consecutive Boston Marathon
After directing the 126th Boston Marathon, race director Dave McGillivray will head to Hopkinton to run his 50th consecutive Boston Marathon. On Patriots’ Day, McGillivray will complete the Hopkinton to Boston route in the late afternoon and evening.
126th Boston Marathon Media Schedule of Events (subject to change)
THURSDAY, APRIL 14
Public Safety Press Conference | 10:00 a.m. | Boston Marathon Fan Fest Stage, Copley Square Park
Public safety and race officials will share race pertinent information to ensure a safe and successful Boston Marathon experience.
FRIDAY, APRIL 15 – ONE BOSTON DAY & BOSTON MARATHON MEDIA DAY
John Hancock Professional Athlete Press Conference | 10:00 a.m. | Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel
Members of the John Hancock Professional Athlete field, including Olympic and Paralympic medalists, race champions, and winners of Abbott World Marathon Majors races, will be available for group and individual interviews. Select athletes will also be available virtually for media not in attendance upon request.
One Boston Day | 2:00 p.m. | Boylston Street Memorials
In remembrance of the victims of 2013, there will be a wreath laying at each of the memorials located on Boylston Street. There will be a performance by Dorchester Bay’s Boston City Singers and a moment of silence will be observed at 2:49 p.m. ET.
Boston Marathon Opening Celebration | 5:00 p.m. | Boston Marathon Fan Fest, Copley Square Park
B.A.A. officials will kick off race weekend at a special celebratory event honoring Boston Marathon legends and milestones. Special honorees this year include finishers from the inaugural women’s division in 1972 and recipients of the Patriots’ Award and Team Hoyt Award.
FRIDAY, APRIL 15 THROUGH SUNDAY, APRIL 17
Boston Marathon Expo | Hynes Convention Center
The Boston Marathon Expo will be open to participants and members of the public from Friday, April 15 through Sunday, April 17. Participants will pick up their bib numbers and explore a sponsor pavilion, pose for photo-ops, and shop the largest collection of adidas Boston Marathon merchandise in town.
Boston Marathon Fan Fest presented by Amazon | Copley Square
Boston Marathon Fan Fest presented by Amazon in Copley Square Park will be the place to soak in the race week atmosphere. Fan Fest will play host to live music, entertainment, photo-ops, meet and greets, archives, the final Boston Marathon training clinic, and more.
SATURDAY, APRIL 16
2022 B.A.A. 5K | 8:00 a.m. | Boston Common
Nearly 10,000 participants will take part in the first race of the B.A.A. Distance Medley, racing 3.1 miles through Back Bay. B.A.A. 5K registration opened to the general public in February. A stellar professional field features top American and international athletes. Special Olympics Massachusetts, the exclusive fundraising partner of the B.A.A. 5K, will field a team of 100 athletes raising funds to provide opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities to compete and train in an inclusive and supportive environment. A media area will be located on Boston Common.
2022 B.A.A. Invitational Mile | 10:30 a.m. | Boylston Street/Boston Marathon Finish Line
The B.A.A. Invitational Mile features some of the top professional milers in the world, as well as scholastic student-athletes from each of the eight cities and towns along the Boston Marathon route.
2022 B.A.A. Relay Challenge | 1:00 p.m. | Boylston Street between Dartmouth & Clarendon Streets
More than 20 middle schools and youth programs from around Greater Boston will gather for the B.A.A. Relay Challenge. In the culmination of a month-long program taught by volunteer coaches, the relay challenge features students racing in relays and learning running tips from B.A.A. athletes and coaches.
MONDAY, APRIL 18
126th Boston Marathon | Hopkinton to Boston, MA
A field of 30,000 athletes will participate in the 126th running of the Boston Marathon, covering 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Boston. The world’s oldest annually run marathon celebrates community spirit and the pursuit of athletic excellence each year. A media work room with limited seating will be available first-come, first-served in the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel.
Schedule of Starts:
6:00 a.m. ET – Military Marchers
9:02 a.m. ET – Wheelchair Division – Men
9:05 a.m. ET – Wheelchair Division – Women
9:30 a.m. ET – Handcycle & Duo Participants
9:37 a.m. ET – Professional Men
9:45 a.m. ET – Professional Women
9:50 a.m. ET – Para Athletics Divisions
10:00 a.m. ET – Wave 1
10:25 a.m. ET – Wave 2
10:50 a.m. ET – Wave 3
11:15 a.m. ET – Wave 4
Boston Marathon Mile 27 Post-Race Party presented by Samuel Adams | 6:30 p.m. | Fenway Park
The Mile 27 Post-Race Party presented by Samuel Adams returns to Fenway Park. Finishers can enjoy America’s most beloved ballpark, walk on the warning track, and savor refreshments as they cheers to conquering 26.2 miles. Media members can gain access to the Post-Race Party with their media credential.
TUESDAY, APRIL 19
Boston Marathon Champions’ Press Conference | 10:00 a.m. | Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel
This press conference will feature champions of the 126th Boston Marathon and other notable finishers, as well as officials from the Boston Athletic Association.
For the 37th year, John Hancock will serve as principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon.
