BOSTON MARATHONERS, We can't wait to welcome you to Boston for the 122nd running of the Boston Marathon!    We at the Boston Athletic Association have worked hard to ensure that you have a safe, successful, and memorable race experience. In this final participant newsletter before you toe the starting line, we provide some last minute tips on what to expect this week.  Looking at the long-range forecast, rain and cold temperatures could be in store for race day. In case of potential inclement weather, please be on the lookout for updates from us, both through email and on social media, as race day approaches. We encourage all participants to prepare in advance for wet conditions.

Safe travels, and we'll be cheering you on from Hopkinton to Boston. Run fast and have fun!   Sincerely,  The Boston Athletic Association

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10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW   Here are 10 things to remember heading into the 122nd Boston Marathon

#10 - Don't leave home without your Runner Passport! This item contains your bib number pick-up card and other vital pieces of information to help you through race weekend. If you've lost, forgot, or never received your Runner Passport, please go to the Forgotten Cards booth on the 3rd level at the Expo near bib pick-up. You will need a government issue photo ID in order to claim your bib. MORE INFORMATION

#9 - Download the official B.A.A. Boston Marathon App on your mobile device before you get to Boston. This year's app features live tracking of all participants, interactive course maps, and all the information you need to know about this year's race. The app is available for both IOS and Android users. MORE INFORMATION

#8 - All entrants are invited to attend the Pre-Race Dinner at Boston City Hall. A complimentary ticket will be inside your runner packet that you receive at the Expo, attached to your Gear Check label. Each ticket will have a designated time frame on Sunday, April 15. Additional tickets may be purchased for $25 from the Party Tickets Booth at the John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo. Tickets are not available at the door. MORE INFORMATION

#7 - In your runner packet will be an official Gear Check bag. The gear check area is located on Boylston Street, between Berkeley Street and Arlington Street. You will also receive a pre-printed adhesive label with your bib number on it that should be used as a gear check label. Also included will be a one gallon clear plastic bag for items to take to Hopkinton. MORE INFORMATION

#6 - Make sure you are familiar with our allowable and prohibited items for race morning. Official participants may be required to pass through security checkpoints when entering venues throughout marathon weekend, including on race day. MORE INFORMATION

#5 - The recommended way to get to the start line is by using the official B.A.A. buses. Bus loading takes place on Charles Street near Boston Common. Buses load according to the wave which you have been assigned to. Transportation to the start is for official participants only. Each participant must show their bib number upon boarding. MORE INFORMATION

#4 - Buses drop entrants off at the Athletes' Village. This will be the staging area prior to the start. You'll find amenities like Poland Spring Water, Gatorade, Clif Bars, Rainier Apples, bagels, bananas, and more. While in the Village, you'll hear announcements regarding when your wave and corral will exit for the start line area. MORE INFORMATION

#3 - Be familiar with the Boston Marathon course. This includes knowing where the hydration stations with Poland Spring Water and Gatorade Endurance Formula are located (every mile starting at mile 2, on both sides of the road), where the portable toilets are (at every hydration and Red Cross station), and where the CLIF Energy Zones are located (miles 11.8, 17, and 21.5).  MORE INFORMATION

#2 - At the finish, volunteers will guide you to Poland Spring Water, Gatorade, medical services (if needed), and medal distribution. You may also pick-up items from the Gear Check area, and meet up with friends and family at the Family Meeting Area. MORE INFORMATION

#1 - Join us at the Awards Ceremony beginning at 5:00 p.m., where you will see the top finishers receive their trophies and awards. Following the Awards Ceremony Boston Marathon Mile 27 - the Official Post-Race Party, presented by Samuel Adams, takes place at historic Fenway Park starting at 6:30 p.m. A complimentary ticket will be attached to the Gear Check label you receive at the Expo. Additional tickets may be purchased for $25 from the Party Tickets Booth at the Expo. MORE INFORMATION

CATCH A COURTESY BUS TO PICK UP YOUR RACE BIB John Hancock will be providing a courtesy bus service to the expo, so sit back, relax and watch a few great videos during the ride.

BUS SCHEDULE

Meet the Elites at the John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo  We welcome you to stop by the John Hancock booth #441 at the Expo to meet the elites, watch the course preview and to just take a break.  Friday, April 13 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.: Two-time Boston Marathon champion Joan Benoit Samuelson and two-time Olympian Ryan Hall Saturday, April 14 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: American marathon record holder Deena Kastor and American elite Neely Spence Gracey 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.: Two-time Olympian Ryan Hall 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.: 2014 Boston Marathon champion Meb Keflezighi Sunday, April 15 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Two-time World Marathon Challenge champion Becca Pizzi 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.: 2014 Boston Marathon champion Meb Keflezighi Finish Line Surprise Meet & Greet: Saturday, April 14, 2:15 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Many of the John Hancock Elites running with you on Monday will be at the finish line - Edna, Geoffrey, Shalane, Des, Galen, Dathan, Molly, Shadrack, Yuki…and more!

ROAD TO BOSTON - PRESENTED BY CITGO What to expect leading up to race day Planning ahead for your trip to the Boston Marathon? One of the final steps on the Road to Boston, presented by CITGO, is fueling up at the 122nd Boston Marathon Pre-Race Dinner. An annual celebration at Boston's City Hall, the Pre-Race Dinner will be held on Sunday, April 15 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. All participants receive one complimentary ticket to the Pre-Race Dinner, located in the runner packet which you will receive at Number Pick-up. Additional tickets can be purchased for $25 at the Number Pick-up area of the Expo. Free admission for children under 12 years of age. The Boston Marathon is getting closer - just one more stop on the Road to Boston!

JOHN HANCOCK SPORTS & FITNESS EXPO Gear, insights, gadgets, and more Seaport World Trade Center – 200 Seaport Boulevard, Boston, MA (accessible via MBTA’s Silver Line at the World Trade Center Station)   Friday, April 13 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Saturday, April 14 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Sunday, April 15 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.   The 41st Annual John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo features more than 200 exhibitors showcasing the latest apparel, gear, gadgets, events and nutritional and fitness information for athletes of all abilities. Admission is free courtesy of John Hancock, Conventures, Inc. and the Boston Athletic Association.

Enjoy the Runner’s Seminar Series Presenter by Women’s Running at the Expo on Saturday and Sunday, April 14-15. Be inspired by past champions and learn from leading experts in running and fitness. All seminars are free and open to the public.

FULL SEMINAR SCHEDULE

"BEST IN CLASS" T-SHIRT FOR TOP 20 AGE GROUP FINISHERS New this year, adidas, the official apparel and footwear provider of the B.A.A., and Woolmark have teamed up to provide a ‘best in class’ t-shirt to the top 20 finishers in each age division. The exclusive shirt, made mostly of biodegradable Australian Merino wool and not available for purchase, will be presented to the top age division finishers. Merino Wool provides athletes with breathability while exercising and comprises 75 percent of the shirt material. Twenty-five percent of the shirt is made with nylon. Athletes who finish in the top 20 of their particular age group will be notified by the B.A.A. after the race, and invited to claim their shirt, which will be distributed Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning from the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel in Boston.

WILL YOU BE A SIX STAR FINISHER AT BOSTON? The Boston Marathon is one of the six Abbott World Marathon Majors, alongside the Tokyo, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York City Marathons. If you have run all of the other five and will run Boston this year, you can claim your Six Star medal at the finish line. Click below and follow the steps to join 3,000 other Six Star Finishers! MORE INFORMATION

YOU'VE GONE THE DISTANCE. NOW LET US GO THE EXTRA MILE Show your Boston Marathon medal along with your JetBlue boarding pass on Monday, April 16 or Tuesday, April 17 at Boston Logan Airport, and you’ll receive complimentary access to the Even More® Speed lane at the Terminal C security checkpoint.    What can I expect from Even More® Speed? Even More Speed provides an expedited security experience. Customers have access to dedicated queuing lanes at the TSA’s document checkers – not necessarily dedicated screening lanes.

INFINITI LOUNGE - COPLEY SQUARE INFINITI is proud to be the official vehicle sponsor of the 2018 Boston Marathon. Be sure to stop by the INFINITI Lounge on Copley Square throughout the weekend to check out the all-new INFINITI QX50 and charge up for Marathon weekend.

HYLAND'S LEG CRAMPS Stop your cramp, not your race* The Hyland’s booth (339/341) is the place to be at this year’s Expo. Stock up on your favorite Hyland’s Leg Cramps products plus enjoy these perks: Bob Babbitt is back! We are once again hosting the famous “Breakfast with Bob” interviews at our booth. Watch as Bob interviews running legends like Meb Keflezighi and Ryan Hall as well as our own Team Hyland’s superstars!  Meet Mirna Valerio! The author of A Beautiful Work in Progress and a 2018 National Geographic Adventurer of the Year will be signing copies of her book on Saturday at 1:30pm!  Exclusive product offering available to registrants of the marathon – a sneak peek at our ArnicAid and ArniSport homeopathic pain relief products designed specifically for athletes! Stop by to ask for a free sample and to learn how they can help you Train Harder & Recover Faster!  SEE FULL SCHEDULE

Hyland’s is proud to be the Official Cramp Relief Sponsor of the Boston Marathon. You will find our Hyland’s Leg Cramps products in all 26 medical tents along the course on race day!  *Claims based on traditional homeopathic practice, not accepted medical evidence. Not FDA evaluated.

POWER UP FOR THE MARATHON WITH UBER Stop your cramp, not your race* Gear up for Marathon Monday at the Uber space, with Equinox-led training sessions, cold pressed juices, sign-making, and more, April 13 –15.  POWER UP

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is proud to be the Official Technology Consulting Partner of the 2018 Boston Marathon. TCS sponsors the information center booths and tents throughout race weekend. Stop by to get answers to your questions and prepare for race day.   TCS information centers are in several important locations during race weekend:

John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo  April 13, 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.  April 14, 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.  April 15, 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Copley Square, Back Bay April 14, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. April 15, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Hopkinton - Athletes’ Village  April 16, 6:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Family Meeting Area - Stuart St, Back Bay  April 16, 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. B.A.A. 5K Info Booth - Boston Common  April 14, 6:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

MARATHONFOTO Sale Ends Tomorrow. Check This Off Your List! As you're packing for the biggest race of the year, check one more thing off your list. MarathonFoto has three great pre-race offers, but the sale ends soon. Get a Premium Download, Custom Plaque, or both and save up to $40! You worked hard for this, and we’re here to help you prove it.

MORE INFORMATION

2018 B.A.A. 10K REGISTRATION Registration remains open for the June 24th race! Spring is in the air, which means summer is just around the corner - and so is the 2018 B.A.A. 10K! The flat and fast race will zip you through Boston’s Back Bay. Plan your next race after the Boston Marathon by joining us on Sunday, June 24 at the B.A.A. 10K, presented by Brigham and Women's Hospital! REGISTER NOW!