FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
124th Boston Marathon Virtual Experience Halfway Update
More than 4,000 runners have completed their Boston Marathon Virtual
Experience since race week opened on Saturday, September 5. Runners from 50
states and 55 countries have already completed 26.2-miles within their
neighborhoods, spreading the spirit and camaraderie of the Boston Marathon
throughout the world.
The 124th Boston Marathon Virtual Experience started on September 5 and
will conclude on September 14. Participants have 10 days to cover
26.2-miles in one continuous run within their neighborhood to earn their
B.A.A. unicorn medal and be recognized as a Boston Marathon finisher.
124TH BOSTON MARATHON VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE PARTICIPANTS FACTS
- 17,945 participants including, citizens of 97 countries and residents of
all 50 states, are entered in the 124th Boston Marathon Virtual Experience
- 4,463 Boston Marathoners from all 50 states and 55 countries have already
completed 26.2 miles and submitted their finish time for the Boston
Marathon Virtual Experience (as of September 10, 9:00AM ET)
- Monday, September 7 had the greatest number of finishers
- Top five data as of September 10, 11:00AM ET
The top five countries: United States (3,365), Canada (359), United
Kingdom (128), China (119), Brazil (86)
The top five states: Massachusetts (656), California* (341), New
York (204), Texas (158), Pennsylvania (122)
The top five cities: Boston (63), New York (57), San Diego (40),
London (33), TIED: Seattle (29), Beijing (29)
Two Boston Marathon Champions are entered in the Boston Marathon
Virtual Experience: Five-time wheelchair champion Tatyana McFadden
completed her race on Monday, while reigning wheelchair champion Daniel
Romanchuk will complete his 26.2-miles later this week
*Due to the devastating fires occurring on the West Coast, residents
participating in California and on the West Coast have been granted an
extension to complete their virtual run.
COMING UP SOON
- Des Linden, 2018 Boston Marathon Champion and John Hancock Champion
Ambassador, will be interviewed live by Lisa Hughes on Boston Marathon Live
on Thursday, September 10 at 8:00PM ET and re-aired at midnight on
CBSBoston.com.
- Flyover of the Boston Marathon course featuring two black hawk
helicopters Monday, September 14 at 10:00AM ET
- The Boston Marathon Mile 27 Post-Race Party presented by Samuel Adams
will be held virtually on Monday, September 14 at 8:00 p.m. ET live from
Fenway Park. An hour-long broadcast will be hosted by WBZ-TV's Lisa Hughes
and will be aired on CBSBoston.com and on the Virtual Tables platform
exclusively for Boston Marathon Virtual Experience participants and
volunteers. The Post-Race Party will feature special messages and
appearances from Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, Boston Mayor Marty
Walsh, B.A.A. CEO Tom Grilk, and many more. The program will also feature a
special cooking demonstration with chef and Wahlburgers star Paul Wahlberg.
- The Boston Marathon Virtual Expo continues through September 15 with Main
Stage programming, interviews, panels, and an array of shopping
opportunities from the leading brands in running and wellness.
B.A.A. GIVES BACK
- 4,804 Boston Marathon volunteers have pledged to give back to their
communities as part of the Boston Marathon Virtual Volunteer Challenge and
#BAAGivesBack. 1,296 volunteers opted to donate their Boston Marathon
Volunteer jacket to a frontline worker
- The B.A.A. is donating 4,500 Boston Marathon jackets to frontline workers
in gratitude for their tireless work battling the pandemic. Locations where
jackets have been confirmed to be dropped off, starting the week of the
Virtual Experience, are:
Michael Lisnow Respite Center in Hopkinton
Hopkinton Senior Center
MetroWest YMCA in Framingham
Natick Service Council
MetroWest Medical Center in Framingham
The Brookline Center for Community Mental Health
Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Back on My Feet in Boston
Boston Children's Hospital
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
Tufts Medical Center
American Red Cross
- In partnership with Gatorade Endurance, the B.A.A. also donated Gatorade
products to:
Project Just Because in Hopkinton
United Way of Tri-County in Framingham
A Place to Turn in Natick
Greater Boston Food Bank
- In support of COVID-19 Response Efforts, the B.A.A. is offering a
sweepstakes for a Boston Marathon VIP Experience for two including a
three-night hotel stay steps from the finish; the opportunity to serve as
an official race starter; VIP finish line seating and tickets to race
events; a chance to sit in the race day announcer booth; and an adidas gift
package. Every $10 donation is an entry to win; 100% of donations will go
towards COVID-19 response efforts. To donate, text BAAGIVESBACK to 41-411
or visit the B.A.A.'s GoFundMe Charity page to donate.
BOSTON MARATHON LIVE HIGHLIGHTS
- Boston Marathon Live presented by Amazon and WBZ-TV airs each night at
8:00 p.m. and midnight ET showcasing finishers, elite athletes, champions,
and B.A.A. staff and coaches.
- Monday, September 7th featured an interview with B.A.A. CEO Tom Grilk,
John Hancock Champions Panel with Des Linden, Daniel Romanchuk, Meb
Keflezighi, and Tatyana McFadden
- Tuesday, September 8th featured live interviews with Meb Keflezighi and
B.A.A. Race Director Dave McGillivray
- Wednesday, September 9th featured interviews with Olympian, Paralympic
medalist and B.A.A. Para Athletes Manager Marla Runyan as well as 2016
Paralympian Chaz Davis.
LIGHTING BLUE & GOLD, DISPLAYING B.A.A. UNICORN FLAG
- Boston City Hall lit up blue and Gold on September 7 and will again on
Monday, September 14 to celebrate the end of the Boston Marathon Virtual
Experience; the B.A.A. Unicorn Flag, which has been flown since September
7, will remain up until September 14
- TD Garden exterior will be lit blue and gold September 9–14
- Zakim Bridge will be lit blue and gold on Monday, September 14
- Boston Public Library will display the B.A.A. Unicorn Flag September
12–14
- Kenneth F. Burns Memorial Bridge (Worcester, MA) will be lit blue on
September 14
IMPORTANT LINKS & INFORMATION
- Results and leaderboards for the Boston Marathon Virtual Experience are
available and updated in real-time as results are submitted.
- The 124th Boston Marathon Virtual Experience Official Program is
available for runners, spectators, and supporters to download and read
today. The Official Program is produced by the B.A.A. and Yankee Magazine.
- A virtual toolkit is available for all runners and supporters to download
featuring a printable champion's breaktape, mile markers, Entering town
signs, and more.
- Participants are encouraged to use the hashtags #BostonMarathon and
#finishSTRONG to celebrate their Boston Marathon Virtual Experience this
year. Photos and videos from participants are highlighted throughout the
Boston Marathon social media channels, as well as on Boston Marathon Live.
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