BOSTON— The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) invites members of the media to attend Boston Marathon Media Day on Friday, October 8 in Boston. Please see specific event information below, as well as details on credential pick-up and COVID-19 safety procedures for all media members. All events listed except for the finish line installation require a media credential and bracelet.
Additionally, the B.A.A. announces that Professional Athletes Nicholas Kosimbei (Kenya) and Angela Tanui (Kenya) have been added to the John Hancock Professional Athlete Team. The following previously announced Professional Athletes have withdrawn from the 125th Boston Marathon: Yuki Kawauchi (Japan), Paul Lonyangata (Kenya), Yebrgual Melese (Ethiopia), Abrar Osman (Eritrea), Tyler Pennel (USA), Besu Sado (Ethiopia), Bedatu Hirpa (Ethiopia), Tish Jones (Great Britain) and Professional Wheelchair Athletes Callum Hall (Great Britain), Tristan Smyth (Great Britain), and David Weir (Great Britain).
Up to date start lists can be found here.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8 – BOSTON MARATHON MEDIA DAY
125th Boston Marathon Finish Line Installation | 9:00 a.m. | Boylston Street
The Boston Marathon Finish Line decal will be installed on Boylston Street in advance of race weekend. Media are invited to film the installation process.
Opening of Boston Marathon Expo | 10:30 a.m. | Hynes Convention Center
The Boston Marathon Expo will be open to participants and members of the public from Friday, October 8 through Sunday, October 10. An opening ceremony on October 8 will mark the opening of this year’s Expo, where all participants will pick up their bib numbers. Frontline workers and community members who received invitational entries for this year’s race in recognition of their commitment to community will receive their bibs first at this special ceremony. These athletes were presented entries by the B.A.A. and 2018 champion Des Linden at the Patriots’ Day Mile in April. Media planning to attend please RSVP to media@baa.org. A credential is required to access this ceremony. Please use the Boylston Street entrance to the Hynes Convention Center.
John Hancock Professional Athlete Press Conference | 2:00 p.m. | Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel
Members of the John Hancock Professional Athlete Team, 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 through this form.
Boston Marathon Training Clinic presented by Amazon | 5:00 p.m. | Boston Marathon Fan Fest Stage, Copley Square
John Hancock Professional Athlete Team members Molly Huddle, Scott Smith, and Manuela Schär will share tips and advice with participants at the final Boston Marathon Training Clinic presented by Amazon.
Boston Marathon Opening Celebration | 6:00 p.m. | Boston Marathon Fan Fest Stage, Copley Square
B.A.A. officials will kick off race weekend at a special celebratory event honoring Boston Marathon legends and milestones. Among those being recognized are Ellison Brown, Sara Mae Berman, Dick Hoyt, Gloria Ratti, and representatives from organizations who will collectively be granted $125,000 by the B.A.A. in honor of the 125th Boston Marathon. More information can be found here.
Virtual Media Availability | Upon Request | Virtual Platform
Select athletes will be available virtually for media not in attendance upon request. Requests must be submitted online through this form.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8 THROUGH SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10
Boston Marathon Expo | Hynes Convention Center
The Boston Marathon Expo will be open to participants and members of the public from Friday, October 8 through Sunday, October 10. 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 Boston.
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!
125th Boston Marathon COVID-19 Safety Policy & Credential Pick-Up Information
All media members must adhere to the B.A.A.’s COVID-19 mitigation efforts and policies, including but not limited to, wearing masks in all media areas; providing proof of vaccine verification; and/or providing proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of Monday, October 11.
Media members must receive a B.A.A. bracelet from the vaccine verification or COVID-19 testing tent prior to picking up media credentials. This bracelet must be worn for the entirety of race week.
For media members who have completed a full series of a WHO-certified COVID-19 vaccination:
From October 7-10, all vaccinated members of the media must visit the B.A.A. Vaccine Verification tent in Copley Square (corner of Boylston and Dartmouth Streets). You will be asked to present proof of a completed WHO-certified vaccination (photo copies, digital copies, or physical vaccine cards or documentation are acceptable forms of proof). The Vaccine Verification tent is first-come, first-serve. Please note that wait times will vary throughout the weekend. Vaccine Verification Hours are: Thursday, October 7 from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (media and race personnel only, not participants); Friday, October 8 from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Saturday, October 9 from 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; and Sunday, October 10 from 7:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
For media members who have not completed a full series of a WHO-certified COVID-19 vaccination and will be tested for COVID-19 in Boston:
Please click the link below to register for your COVID-19 test in Copley Square (corner of Boylston and Dartmouth Streets) from October 8-10. You will be required to wait approximately 30 minutes for confirmation of your test results. An existing or new MyQuest account is required to book your appointment. You will be able to create an account during the registration process. Please make note of your username and password, and when prompted to select your testing location select Boston, MA. While you are not bound to your selected COVID-19 testing appointment, we encourage you to arrive at your indicated time to minimize wait times. For media who are in Copley Square on Thursday, October 7, COVID-19 testing will be open on a first-come, first serve basis from 1:00-5:00 p.m. with no appointment needed. (The Thursday option is only available for media and race personnel, not participants.)
SCHEDULE YOUR COVID-19 TESTING TIME
Upon successful vaccine verification or negative COVID-19 test results, you will be issued a B.A.A. bracelet. Once you have your B.A.A. bracelet, you can pick up your media credentials within the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel’s State Suite. Media credentials will be available for pickup from Thursday, October 7 through Sunday, October 10 within the State Suite Media Center. Credential pick-up hours are as follows:
Thursday, October 7 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday, October 8 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 9 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 10 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.