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The Most Popular FAQs:
Are bikes / skates / baby joggers / head phones allowed on the course?
No. For safety reasons, strollers, in-line skates, skateboards and like vehicles of any kind, animals and the use of head phones are not permitted.
Can a friend pick up my number for me?
Yes. You must sign your number pick-up card and give it to your friend. Your friend must write his/her name and address on the card and provide his/her photo I.D. when he/she picks up your number. He/she will be directed to an I.D. verification booth when entering the expo. No photo copies or notes will be accepted. Numbers are non-transferable and entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
How can family members track my running from home?
The B.A.A. will broadcast every 5Km split to its web site and family and friends can track your progress by logging in and entering your name or bib number. The "face" of the Boston Marathon web site will change on race day and the process on how to enter the search will be clear.
In addition, beginning in late March, runners may register up to three wireless devices or e-mail addresses using their bib number by logging in on the B.A.A. website: www.bostonmarathon.org. Alerts will be broadcast from the 10-kilometer, 1/2 marathon and 30-kilometer marks and the finish as the runner passes those locations.
How can I pick up my bib number if I haven’t received my Official Number Pick-up card in the mail?
If your Number Pick Up Card does not reach you before race weekend, please be sure to bring a photo ID with you to Number Pick-Up at the Hynes Convention Center. Go to the "Replacement Number Pick-Up Cards" booth in room 108, show your valid photo id, and a volunteer will print a new card for you. You will use that new card to pick up your number.
How can my family get to locations along the course, using public transportation?
Locations along the course that are close to MBTA subway stations are: - Kenmore Square (Green lines B,C, and D): One-mile-to-go marker
- Woodland (Green line D): Mile 16.8 of the Marathon course
- Boston College (Green line B): Mile 21.4 of the Marathon course
- Cleveland Circle (Green line C): mile 22.4 of the Marathon course
The MBTA's Commuter Rail Line (Framingham/Worcester) also makes stops along the Route in Framingham, West Natick, Natick, Wellesley Square and Wellesley Hills.
How long will the course be open and at what time will timing stop?
Timing will conclude six hours after the final runner crosses the starting line (approximately 4:45 p.m.). Roads and paths along the route will begin to re-open to traffic prior to the conclusion of timing and scoring, and those remaining on the course will be directed off the roadways and onto walkways by local police.
I have registered for the 2008 Boston Marathon, but I am unable to compete due to injury. May I defer my entry to 2009?
The Boston Athletic Association allows officially registered qualified runners to defer participation to the following year, provided they have completed the following procedure:
1.) If you qualified after September 29, 2007, you may re-use your qualifying time to register for the 2009 Boston Marathon. You do not need to request a deferment. Registration will begin in September, 2008.
If you qualified between September 23, 2006 and September 29, 2007, please return your "Official Number Pick-Up Card" along with a note stating you wish to defer your qualifying time to the 2009 marathon. Send the card to the following address:
Boston Athletic Association
"The Starting Line"/One Ash Street
Hopkinton, MA 01748-1897
2.) OR, in person (on race weekend), you may first pick up your bib number, timing chip, t-shirt, and runner's bag, and then turn in your chip and bib number, to the Solution Center in the number pick-up area at the John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo.
ALL deferment requests must be received before April 21, 2008.
3.)You will be mailed a specially marked application for the 2009 Boston Marathon in the fall of 2008. To register for 2009, complete the application and submit it, along with your entry fee, to the address listed above.
I understand the ChampionChip will be used for timing purposes. What do I do if I have my own ChampionChip?
Fill in your own ChampionChip number in the appropriate space when you complete the entry form. If you have already submitted the form without this info, please Email your name, address, gender, date of birth, and ChampionChip number to registration@baa.org.
I will never be able to qualify. Can I run the race as an unofficial or "bandit" runner, or is there any other way I could officially enter?
No, please do not run if you have not officially entered in the race. Race amenities along the course and at the finish, such as fluids, medical care, and traffic safety, are provided based on the number of official entrants. Any addition to this by way of unofficial participants, adversely affects our ability to ensure a safe race for everyone.
What do I do if I don’t receive or if I lose my Number Pick-up Card?
Bring a photo I.D. and proof of payment (cancelled check or credit card statement) to the card replacement desk in the Number Pick-up area, and we will issue a new card. A Number Pick-up Card must be presented in order to receive your number.
What fluids are provided on the course?
Poland Spring Water and Gatorade Endurance Formula Sports Drink (lemon/lime flavor) are the official fluids provided approximately every mile along the course as well as the start and the finish areas.
What is the best way to get to the start in Hopkinton?
The ONLY guaranteed way to get to the start on race morning is by the official B.A.A. buses between 6:00 and 7:30 a.m. Bus loading will take place at the Tremont Street side of the Boston Common in Boston’s Back Bay area. In order to load all the buses efficiently, avoid delays and get to the start on time, we strongly recommend the following bus loading schedule:
| 6:00 a.m.–6:45 a.m. | Bib #’s 1,000–13,999 | | 6:45 a.m.–7:30 a.m. | Bib #’s 14,000+ |
NOTE: Transportation to the start is for official runners only. Each runner must show his/her bib number upon boarding. We are not able to provide transportation to the start from Boston for family or friends.
Limited transportation from Boston to Hopkinton to both parking areas will be available after the race at no charge. Buses leave from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. from the corner of Stuart and Berkeley Streets. You must show your race number upon boarding.
Wheelchair participants will receive transportation information with their Number Pick-up Card.
What time does the race start?
Mobility Impaired Division start time: 9:00 a.m.
Wheelchair Division start time: 9:25 a.m.
Elite Women's start time: 9:35 a.m.
Elite Men's and Wave 1 start time: 10:00 a.m.
Wave 2 start time: 10:30 a.m.
When and where is number and T-shirt pick-up?
Number and T-shirt pick-up will be held on Friday, April 18, 2008, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, April 19 and 20 between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., at the John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo, to be held at the Hynes Memorial Convention Center in Boston.
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