Marathon Weekend Updates

John Hancock Sports & Fitness (Marathon) Expo:
- Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston Street, Boston
- Friday, April 18; 10am – 8pm
- Saturday & Sunday, April 18 & 20; 9am – 6pm
- Features more than 200 exhibiters
- Complimentary admission
- Why you need to attend:
- At the Mass. Eye and Ear booth (booth #203) on Sat. & Sun., 12:30pm – 2:00pm: pick up your Team Eye and Ear official singlet, t-shirts for your friends/family to cheer you on during the marathon, and a gift. *If you would like to meet marathon ledgend, Bill Rodgers, and were not able to during the kick-off party (or want to meet him again), make sure to stop by the Mass. Eye and Ear booth on either Saturday or Sunday by 12:45pm and tell one of the people staffing the booth (or look for me) that you’re a member of Team Eye and Ear and you’ll be ushered to the front of the line when Bill Rodgers comes to the booth at 1:00pm.
- At the BAA number pick-up table anytime the Expo is open: Pick up your bib number (remember to bring your “bib number pick-up card” and a photo i.d.), your computer timing chip, Boston Marathon participant t-shirt, and race packet. Learn more about this here: http://www.baa.org/BostonMarathon/WelcomeBooklet.asp#bibnumber1

Pre-Race Dinner:
- City Hall Plaza
- Saturday, April 19; 4:30pm – 8:00pm
- Learn more about the dinner here: http://www.baa.org/BostonMarathon/WelcomeBooklet.asp#preracedinner

Marathon Day (Monday, April 21, 2008):
- Remember to bring: your Team Eye and Ear singlet, your bib number, the computer chip (which you will receive at the expo with your bib number) worn on your shoe.
- 6:45 am – Buses begin loading from the Tremont St. side of the Boston Common in Boston’s Back Bay area. Buses will leave Boston for Hopkinton, the site of the starting line. You are strongly encouraged to take this bus to the starting line, as traffic and parking in Hopkinton will be very difficult. You must show your bib number before getting on the bus. For more information: http://www.baa.org/BostonMarathon/WelcomeBooklet.asp#transportationtostart
- Athletes Village – Near the starting line, at Hopkinton High School, where the BAA buses drop off. Entertainment, light refreshments, bottled water, Gatorade Endurance Formula, PowerBar, bagels, tenting, and portable toilets will all be available. You must show your bib number upon entering.
- 10:30 am – Start time begins for all Team Eye and Ear members.
- During the Race: There will be fluid stations along the course beginning at mile two. There will also a PowerGel Energy Food Station located just prior to the mile 17 fluid station
- After the Race: Be sure to turn in the black ChampionChip to receive your finisher’s medal. Arrange to meet your family or relatives in the designated Family Meeting Area located on St. James Ave and Stuart St from Berkeley St to Clarendon St. beyond the Finish Area exit. For more information about the family meeting area: http://www.baa.org/BostonMarathon/WelcomeBooklet.asp#familymeetingarea
- 5:00 pm – Boston Marathon Awards Ceremony @ Fairmont Copley Plaza Boston, 138 St. James Ave., Boston. For more information: http://www.baa.org/BostonMarathon/WelcomeBooklet.asp#specialevents
- 8:00pm – 12:30am – Post-race Dance Party @ The Roxy and Pure, 279 Tremont St, Boston. Dancing, entertainment and a video of the race will be shown. For more information: http://www.baa.org/BostonMarathon/WelcomeBooklet.asp#specialevents