For Boston Marathon's last 100 years, it all starts in Hopkinton
HOPKINTON, Mass. (AP) — Workers zip in and out of the tents that dot the Hopkinton Town Common, flags flutter from the gazebo, and crews assemble the platform where the starter will fire the gun to send the Boston Marathon field on its way. On race day, this otherwise sleepy New England town serendipitously located 26.2 miles from Boston will swell to three times its size.
Once a year for the last 100 years, Hopkinton becomes the center of the running world, thanks to a quirk of geography and history that made it the starting line for the world’s oldest and most prestigious annual marathon.
“It wouldn’t be the Boston Marathon without Hopkinton,” said Meb Keflezighi, who was conferred with honorary town citizenship after winning the race in 2014, the year after the finish line bombing. “As the sign says, ‘It all starts here.’”
Although the Boston Marathon was born next door in Ashland, where 15 men toed a line near Metcalf’s Mill in 1897, the start was moved to Hopkinton in 1924 to conform with a new international distance standard. With a field for the 100th anniversary that will top 30,000 runners, the town strains to absorb the crowds and yet still maintains its small-town hospitality year-round.
Related articles
Celebrity birthdays for the week of May 26
Celebrity birthdays for the week of May 26-June 1:May 26: Sportscaster Brent Musburger is 85. Drumme2024-05-21Meghan Markle purchased pair of £1990 diamond earrings from Dragons' Den hopefuls
Meghan Markle purchased £1990 worth of diamond earrings from a female-founded jewellery business, th2024-05-21'The King and Prince William now face a serious problem'
We’ve been told that Meghan’s syrupy new lifestyle brand ‘will reflect everything she loves – family2024-05-21- What is the recipe for the perfect modern royal look?For the Princess of Wales, it’s coat dresses an2024-05-21
Not so Cool Britannia! Noel Gallagher gives damning verdict on Keir Starmer
Noel Gallagher has insisted he would still back Tony Blair for PM - as he warned Keir Starmer not to2024-05-21Kings and royal princes were the rock stars of their day
Never take a mistress, Your Majesty, it'll only end in tears. This single piece of advice should hav2024-05-21
atest comment