The Boston Athletic Association
The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) has organized the Boston Marathon® since the event’s inception in 1897.The Boston Marathon is the world's oldest annual marathon and ranks as one of the world's most prestigious road racing events. The B.A.A. continues to manage this American classic, which has been sponsored by John Hancock Financial Services since 1986. The Boston Marathon has distinguished itself as the pinnacle event within the sport of road racing by virtue of its traditions, longevity, and method of gaining entry into the race (via qualification).
More than 125 years after its inception, the Boston Athletic Association continues to be a leader within the sport of road racing and annually carries on the tradition of the Boston Marathon. The B.A.A. promotes a healthy lifestyle through the support of comprehensive charity, youth, and year-round running programs.
More than 125 years after its inception, the Boston Athletic Association continues to be a leader within the sport of road racing and annually carries on the tradition of the Boston Marathon. The B.A.A. promotes a healthy lifestyle through the support of comprehensive charity, youth, and year-round running programs.
the course
from startHopkinton has been the origin of the Boston Marathon since 1924, when the starting point of the race was moved from Ashland. When the marathon began in 1897, it was only 25 miles long, and was so informal that it didn't even have a starting gun. Instead someone just shouted “go!” to signify the beginning of the race. Over the years, the race began to gain popularity and size, and in 1924, the course was lengthened to 26 miles and 385 yards, which required the starting point to be moved back to Hopkinton.
Though the Boston Marathon is Hopkinton’s clear claim to fame, the town shouldn’t be overlooked after this year’s runners cross the start line. The town, founded in 1715, is coming up on its 300th birthday. An astonishing 215 structures in the centuries-old town are listed on the Register of Historic Places, and throughout the years, the town has been home to a number of renowned congressmen, athletes and scientists. |
to finishThe Boston Marathon has finished at Copley Square since 1986. A memorial celebrating the race's 100th running (in 1996) is located in the park, near the corner of Boylston and Dartmouth streets.
A remarkable number of important Boston educational and cultural institutions were originally located adjacent to (or very near) Copley Square, reflecting 19th-century Boston's aspirations for it as a center of culture and progress. |
history
The Boston Marathon was first run in April 1897, inspired by the revival of the marathon for the 1896 Summer Olympics in Athens. It is the oldest continuously running marathon, and the second longest continuously running footrace, in North America, having debuted five months after the Buffalo Turkey Trot.
On April 19, 1897, ten years after the establishment of the B.A.A., the association held the 24.5 mile (39.4 km] marathon to conclude its athletic competition, the B.A.A. Games. The event was scheduled for the recently established holiday of Patriots Day, with the race linking the Athenian and American struggles for liberty. The race, which became known as the Boston Marathon, has been held every year since then, making it the world's oldest annual marathon. In 1924, the starting line was moved from Metcalf's Mill in Ashland to Hopkinton Green and the course was lengthened to 26 miles 385 yards (42.195 km) to conform to the standard set by the 1908 Summer Olympics and codified by the IAAF in 1921.
The Boston Marathon was originally a local event, but its fame and status have attracted runners from all over the world. For most of its history, the Boston Marathon was a free event, and the only prize awarded for winning the race was a wreath woven from olive branches. However, corporate-sponsored cash prizes began to be awarded in the 1980s, when professional athletes began to refuse to run the race without cash awards. The first cash prize for winning the marathon was awarded in 1986.
On April 19, 1897, ten years after the establishment of the B.A.A., the association held the 24.5 mile (39.4 km] marathon to conclude its athletic competition, the B.A.A. Games. The event was scheduled for the recently established holiday of Patriots Day, with the race linking the Athenian and American struggles for liberty. The race, which became known as the Boston Marathon, has been held every year since then, making it the world's oldest annual marathon. In 1924, the starting line was moved from Metcalf's Mill in Ashland to Hopkinton Green and the course was lengthened to 26 miles 385 yards (42.195 km) to conform to the standard set by the 1908 Summer Olympics and codified by the IAAF in 1921.
The Boston Marathon was originally a local event, but its fame and status have attracted runners from all over the world. For most of its history, the Boston Marathon was a free event, and the only prize awarded for winning the race was a wreath woven from olive branches. However, corporate-sponsored cash prizes began to be awarded in the 1980s, when professional athletes began to refuse to run the race without cash awards. The first cash prize for winning the marathon was awarded in 1986.