As part of its preparations for the Boston Marathon, Hopkinton Department of Public Works staff place the “It All Starts Here” sign on the Town Common along with the flags representing various countries. (Photo courtesy Town of Hopkinton) 
The 126th Boston Marathon Start Line, located in Hopkinton Center. (Photo courtesy Town of Hopkinton)
*Click here to watch the video.*
HOPKINTON — The Town of Hopkinton is excited to welcome runners, spectators, supporters, volunteers and staff from around the country and the world, as well as its own community members, to the start of the 126th Boston Marathon.
A video, which can be viewed here, features Town Manager Norman Khumalo, Police Chief Joseph Bennett, Fire Chief William Miller and Director of Public Works John Westerling sharing an overview of their preparations ahead of the Boston Marathon, and welcoming those who visit Hopkinton for Race Day.
Tens of thousands of people arrive in Hopkinton each year for Marathon Monday, and the community’s role in the historic event is commemorated throughout town in sculptures, imagery and exhibitions. The Marathon has a significant impact on the community through the invitational entry program that now raises approximately $300,000 for local charities, a local scholarship program and funding support for local sports through the Marathon Fund Committee.
Planning and preparations for the Marathon occur almost year-round and are a team effort, involving many of Hopkinton’s municipal departments, boards and committees.
The Select Board plays a key role in supporting the Marathon by reviewing and issuing its permit, and continuing the long-standing, vibrant partnership between the Town and the Boston Athletic Association. The Select Board also helps to facilitate many of the community impacts provided by the Marathon, including the invitational entry program, scholarship and funding for local athletics.
Thousands of volunteers support Marathon activities as well, including at the start line. The Hopkinton Marathon Committee organizes and coordinates starting line volunteers who are crucial to the success of the Marathon and ensure the race begins smoothly and efficiently. The Committee also identifies the designated person who will fire the starting gun, signaling the start for runner waves two through four.
The Department of Public Works (DPW) works diligently before the marathon to ensure the town looks its best both during and after the race. Preparations ramp up significantly in the weeks before Marathon Monday, and the DPW carries out a number of preparations in the center of town to prepare for visitors.
Beginning around April 1 each year, DPW sweeps and cleans streets and sidewalks in the center of town and along the Marathon route; works on gardening and landscaping; receives additional trash trucks and dumpsters and coordinates the placement of trash barrels; inspects fire hydrants, water gates and sewer manholes along the Marathon Route; and paints traffic lines.
DPW staff also places the “It All Starts Here” sign on the Town Common and places the flags representing various countries on top of the sign. As Marathon Monday approaches, bleachers to provide seating for race spectators are moved from school buildings to the starting line, tables for the Marathon information booth are gathered and set up, and “No Parking” signs are placed around town.
On Marathon Monday, DPW crews carefully inspect the roads along the Marathon route to ensure a safe course for the runners. They also ensure all necessary signage is properly placed around town, and complete final touches for the starting line and spectator area.
After the race, the DPW ensures that the streets of Hopkinton are returned to stellar condition by cleaning up trash; removing signage; returning bleachers, trash barrels and other equipment to their proper locations; and returning Marathon materials to the Boston Athletic Association.
The Hopkinton Police and Fire departments plan throughout the year to support the safety of runners and spectators on the day of the race through emergency medical services, traffic control, road closures, and more. The Hopkinton Police Department works with federal, state and local partners to develop a robust security and emergency response plan, and the Hopkinton Fire Department works with approximately a dozen nearby communities to prepare for EMS and fire coverage on Marathon Monday.
In addition to supporting public safety at the Race, the departments also remain on duty, working to provide needed police and fire services around town unrelated to the Marathon.
The Marathon Starting Line also receives significant support from the Hopkinton IT Department which supports the networking, telephony, wireless and other technology used by officials, and is present on Race Day to resolve any technology issues that arise, as well as support security camera systems, mapping technology, and other platforms used by public safety officials during the race.
“Being the home of the Boston Marathon Start Line is a beloved tradition and honor for our community, and we look forward to welcoming visitors and celebrating the runners each year,” Town Manager Khumalo said. “Preparing for the Marathon is a true team effort, and multiple town departments work throughout the year to ensure the town looks its best and that we are ready to provide everyone with an enjoyable day. We are excited to welcome everyone to Hopkinton on Monday, and are wishing all of this year’s runners good luck!”
Those planning to visit Hopkinton on Monday should be aware that all roads leading into the downtown area will be closed for travel to create a safe and efficient area for those involved in the Marathon. Roads immediately surrounding the Hopkinton Town Common will close to traffic at 6:30 a.m. Other main and secondary roads in the vicinity will close to traffic at 7 a.m.
Visit Hopkinton’s road closure reference map for more details. Live updates regarding Marathon updates and road openings will be posted on Hopkinton’s Twitter account.
Runners can find info on the starting area from the Boston Athletic Association here. Spectators can view and download the Boston Marathon Association’s official spectator guide here.
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