Hello Boston, are you ready for the 123rd Boston Marathon? This year, a total of 23,074 qualified applicants will participate in the race that is the country's oldest and one of the most challenging.
Runners will dot the streets of Hopkinton, starting from Main St. in Hopkington, making their way through Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton all the way to finish line on Bolyston St., near the John Hancock Tower in Copley Square. The race is scheduled to begin at 9:02 AM through 12:05 PM.
Tracking The Race
Beyond being there live, there are a number of digital, innovative ways to follow the action. You can follow the route map here, and the race on your phone on the B.A.A. Marathon app that contains information for runners, watchers and volunteers. There’s also a feature called “live tracking” to check out the progress of a specific runner in real time. To track a specific participant, enter her or his name or bib number here. You can download the app app for iOS here and Android here.
Watch the Race
You can catch the preview show on Sunday, at 4:00 p.m. ET to 5:00 p.m. ET on the Olympic Channel. You can follow the event starting Monday at 8:30 a.m. ET to 1:00 p.m. ET on NBCSN and NBCSN Gold. More info on the live broadcast here.
Boston Startups & Marathon
VirZoom
Cambridge-based VR company VirZoom is collaborating with members of Boston's Improv Asylum to give viewers a first-person view of the path of the marathon in VR during their live stream on Monday. The live stream of the ride will take place on Facebook, you can also see it in action here.
BlueBikes
Bluebikes will offer special Valet Services to expand stations and get more bikes nearby the course, and it will also celebrate runners and riders at a Pop-up Marathon Party with free Bluebikes swag and goodies from local vendors. The valet service & pop-up party will take place Beacon Street at Massachusetts Avenue on Monday, April 15 from 10:30 AM to 3 PM.
KeynectUp
Wellesley-based KeynectUp will provide a low-profile safety tool that supports emergency personnel during the Marathon. Wellesley's police department will also use the company's tool to send text messages out to emergency personnel throughout Marathon Monday.
Enjoy Patriot's Day!
