Rick and Dick Hoyt

‘Love Letter’ film shares town’s support for marathoners

In anticipation of Boston Marathon participants’ return to Hopkinton for the first time since April 2019, local filmmakers have produced a short film welcoming them back and sending a positive message to those connected with the event, running and beyond. HCAM-TV, the HopMARATHON kinton Freedom Team, NOTEBOOK local filmmakers, the 26.2 Foundation and residents and friends of Hopkinton have come together to send a message of love and support to the marathoners and their supporters around the world.

“The diversity and growth in Hopkinton has been tremendous, and my hope as it continues is that we as a community can envelop the spirit of the marathon all year long and expand the connectedness we have with the runners by spreading messages of love and light through positive intentions,” said Lynn Canty, narrator of the short film and member of the Hopkinton Freedom Team. “I hope the Marathon Love Letter conveys exactly that!”

“Dear Runners: A Marathon Love Letter From Hopkinton, Massachusetts” can be viewed at hcam.tv/marathonloveletter. The film is airing on HCAMTV, Hopkinton’s community access station, being shared via social media, and being shown at local community and marathon-related events.

COVID restrictions in place for race

The Boston Athletic Associationannounced early last monththat entrants in the 125th Boston Marathon will need to provide proof of vaccination or produce a negative COVID-19 test in order to participate in the Oct. 11 race.

When individuals go to pick up their bib this weekend at a facility next to the Boston Marathon Expo, they will be required to show proof of a complete series of a World Health Organizationcertified vaccine, or they must produce a negative COVID-19 test, which will be administered on site.

Those who are vaccinated or test negative will receive a bracelet that they must wear at all times in order to obtain their bib, access race transportation and receive their finisher’s medal after the race.

The BAA, which “strongly recommended” that all entrants as well as staff and volunteers get vaccinated, will not require masks during the race but will mandate them on participant transportation and “in other areas in accordance with local guidelines.”

“The BAA is committed to taking all necessary steps to ensure the health and safety of participants, volunteers, and the public,” BAA president and CEO Tom Grilk said earlier this year. “We will continue to follow the science and adapt the event plan to reflect guidance from our local, city, and state partners.”

The BAA announced in the spring that the field would be limited to 20,000, and that it would eliminate the staging area (Athletes Village) behind Hopkinton High School. Instead, there will be a rolling start, where participants are assigned specific start times and are transported to Hopkinton to align with the designated time.

International participants who were prevented from traveling to Hopkinton were given the option of joining this year’s virtual race. The virtual event, being held Oct. 8-10, was available to

The Hopkinton Marathon Committee presented the Boston Athletic Association with this photo collage during the Hopkinton Salutes the BAA event at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts on Sept. 23.

the first 70,000 entrants 18 and older. Participants must complete the marathon distance of 26.2 miles in one continuous attempt, although they will not be limited to any time restrictions.

BAA to recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day

The BAA issued a statement in August apologizing “to Indigenous people who have felt unheard or feared the importance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day would be erased” due to the Boston Marathon being held on the holiday this fall.

After meeting with representatives from local and national tribes, the BAA announced a number of initiatives for this year and in the future.

Prior to the start of this year’s race, “a land acknowledgement will take place to recognize that the race travels through Indigenous homelands,” the BAA announced. “The BAA is better understanding the trauma experienced over centuries by the Indigenous People who lived on these lands, and we will work with the Federal and State Recognized Tribes on this land acknowledgment.”

The organization will recognize Indigenous athletes participating in this year’s event and salute past competitors, including two-time winner Ellison Brown (Narragansett), three-time runner-up Patti Catalano Dillon (Mi’kmaq) and 1907 champion Tom Longboat (Onondaga).

“In planning for Boston Marathon weekend and race day, the BAA will continue to work with Indigenous runners and organizations who seek to strengthen Native youth and families through running,” the organization stated.

Town hosts salute to BAA

The 26.2 Foundation and the Hopkinton Chamber of Commerce hosted an event called Hopkinton Salutes the Boston Athletic Association and the 125th Boston Marathon on Sept. 23 at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts.

Among the presentations was a joint proclamation read by Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka, who was joined by state Rep. Carolyn Dykema. Spilka (who is from Ashland) and Dykema (Holliston) both represent Hopkinton.

The proclamation notes the race’s connection to Hopkinton and Ashland (home to the original start line), and it congratulates the BAA on the 125th anniversary of the event.

The Hopkinton Marathon Committee and the John Warren Masonic Lodge presented gifts to the BAA.

Town receives charity numbers

Hopkinton received 50 Boston Marathon numbers from the BAA to distribute to local groups for fundraising. After some discussion at its May 18 meeting, the Select Board determined that one bib each would go to the following 30 organizations:

Baypath Humane Society, eHop, The Michael Lisnow Respite Center, Project Just Because, National Brain Tumor Society, Hopkinton Garden Club, Hopkinton Women’s Club, Hopkinton Lions Club, Demons Youth Hockey Association, Mental Health Collaborative, Hopkinton High School Class of 2023, Friends of Hopkinton SEPAC, Hopkinton Education Foundation, Hopkinton PTO, Hopkinton High School Business Professionals of America/Robotics, Dignity Matters, Hopkinton Girls Youth Lacrosse, Hopkinton Boys Youth Lacrosse, Canty’s Underdog Scholarship Fund, Hopkinton Middle School, Hopkinton Emergency Fund, Hopkinton Little League, Friends of the Hopkinton Senior Center, Friends of Hopkinton, Hopkinton Public Library/Friends, Hopkinton Public Library Foundation, Live4Evan, Sharon Timlin Memorial 5K, KeepSmilin4Abbie Foundation, and Hopkinton Historical Society.

The remainder of Hopkinton’s allotment was targeted for the Hopkinton Police Department (10 numbers), Hopkinton Fire Department (1), Hopkinton Senior Center (1), Hopkinton Marathon Committee (5), Veterans Celebration Committee (1), Veterans Graves Officer (1) and Tax Relief Committee (1).

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