Boston Marathon starting line in Hopkinton

12:00 AM
The first wave was off and we started moving with the second wave toward the starting line.

To get out of our village, we had to head out past the Porta-John's onto a narrow road along the woods and up into the parking lot. These are the woods were dozens of men would decide not to wait in the long Porta-John lines, jumping off the road breifly. This went on from this point through the first few miles of the race. The group that I was with decided to make their way into the woods and as they were the experience and I was the rookie, I waited for them to finish. When they were done, I decided to not follow in the woods tradition and stood, somewhat patiently, in line. When I was finished, I went back down to meet the group I was with and they were gone. I was now on my own. I think that this was the first time that it really hit me and a twinge of nervousness and fear passed through me. It was brief, however, and I figured that I should just follow the crowd. 12,000 runners couldn't be wrong.

The road led us to about 5 buses parked front to back. Next to those buses were numerous other rows of buses parked in the same manner. Each bus was labeled. I realized that we were to find our number on the bus where someone would lean out of the window and take your bag. The buses would then all drive to the finish line and line up again where you would show them your number and get your bag back. Brilliant!!

I was now bag free, how no experience guides and was heading toward the starting line. I felt unbelievalby calm, just trying to soak in the entire experience. We walked up a main street (it may have actually been Main St) in Hopkinton and there were already people lining the streets wishing us luck. This was the first time that someone actully read my name on my shirt and wished me luck by name, "Good luck Martin!". That was cool and took me a little by surprise. I had a permanent smile on my face.

Along the way, there were a few cans to throw the last of your garbage such as any water bottles you might still be holding as well as drop off spots for what the runners refer to as "throw away clothes". These clothes are the sweatshirts, pants, long sleeves, etc that you wear to the starting line to keep you warm after you have dropped off your bag but that you don't want to wear on the race. I couldn't believe how much clothing was discarded. It was all going to be donated to the local boys club in Hopkinton.

At 12:20 the crowd stopped and we waited. Just standing and waiting in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. The starting line of the Boston Marathon. We were on an upward hill and I was told by another runner that the starting line was at the top of the hill. It was exciting, although, the standing around was tough as I started to fear I hadn't stretched enough, or warmed my knees enough. I tried not to think of this and again, just tried to enjoy the moment. I was about to start the Boston Marathon!

The 110th running of the Boston Marathon is under way and I head out of Hopkinton! (next page)

Back to Early Morning and the drive to Hopkinton

Other useful links about Hopkinton, Massachusetts......

Hopkinton, Massachusetts official site - The official website of Hopkinton, Massachusetts. The site includes weather information, community and school information as well as a visitors guide.

Hopkinton, Massachusetts Genealogy - If you are interested in genealogy research and you think you may have family in or from Hopkinton then this site may be useful to you.