Mayor Wu Announces Preparations Ahead of 2025 Boston Marathon

City to recognize Fastest Bostonians; host Fan Fest on City Hall Plaza

 

Mayor Michelle Wu, City officials, and regional partners today announced public safety preparations for the 129th Boston Marathon at a joint press conference with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.). The Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America is the world’s oldest annual marathon, traditionally held on Patriots’ Day, which this year falls on Monday, April 21. This year the event will welcome 30,000 participants from 118 countries and all 50 U.S. states, Washington, D.C. and additional U.S. territories.

As part of the 2025 Boston Marathon celebrations, the City and the B.A.A. will again recognize the Fastest Bostonians, an award given to the Boston residents with the quickest finish times in this year’s race. The annual Fastest Bostonians award was introduced by Mayor Wu in 2023 as the first award specifically for Boston residents at the Boston Marathon. 

City Hall Plaza will host the Boston Marathon Fan Fest presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods for a second year. Fan Fest events run from Friday, April 18 - Sunday, April 20. Details can be found on the B.A.A.’s website. For the first time since undergoing renovations, Copley Square Park will be partially reopened for the B.A.A.’s operational use during Marathon Monday. 

“Marathon Monday is one of the most exciting days of the year in Boston, and puts the city’s spirit on display for the world. Our local public safety officials are working around the clock with all our partners to ensure a safe race for runners and spectators,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “With Fan Fest on City Hall Plaza and the Fastest Bostonian award, the celebrations will continue in the days leading up to and following the 129th Boston Marathon.”

“We thank Mayor Wu, the City of Boston, and all of its supporting agencies for their work in advance of the 129th Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America, especially ensuring that marathon week is a safe and enjoyable signature event of the year,” said Jack Fleming, President and CEO of the Boston Athletic Association. “On the occasion of the 250th anniversary of Patriots’ Day and the 50th anniversary of the wheelchair division at the Boston Marathon, this weekend – culminating on Marathon Monday with the 26 mile, 385 yard race -- we celebrate health and fitness wrapped all around the world’s oldest annual marathon in a way which is only possible to this magnitude in collaboration with our businesses, residents, sponsors and our City partners.”

Today, Mayor Wu was joined by Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox, Chief of Emergency Medical Services James Hooley, Boston Fire Chief of Operations Patrick Ellis, Chief of Emergency Management Adrian Jordan, and public safety officials from the Commonwealth and from neighboring communities to address marathon preparations. Federal, state, and local partners are working together to ensure a safe and enjoyable 2025 Boston Marathon for all athletes and spectators. 

“Marathon Monday is an exciting, busy day in our City. In addition to the Marathon we have a Red Sox game at Fenway. We are grateful for our state, local and federal partners, as we all work together to make this day safe and family friendly. We have a comprehensive safety plan in place and we are ready to support this year’s Boston Marathon, as we continue to serve all of the neighborhoods throughout the City of Boston,” said Police Commissioner Michael Cox, Boston Police Department. “We thank the public for your cooperation, you are our most crucial partner in public safety. Please work with us to ensure a family friendly safe event.”

“Boston EMS is proud to support the Boston Marathon each year. We're committed to delivering exceptional medical care — not just along the course and at the Finish Line, but throughout the entire city,” said Boston EMS Chief of Department, Jim Hooley. “We’ll have additional staffing and ambulances in place to ensure uninterrupted service across all neighborhoods. If you're running, remember to stay well hydrated before, during, and after the race. Listen to your body, and don’t hesitate to seek help if something doesn’t feel right. We’re here for you — every step of the way.”

“Coordinating a marathon that spans eight cities and towns is no small feat—it takes an extraordinary level of coordination and commitment,” said Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Director Dawn Brantley. “This wouldn’t be possible without the unwavering collaboration of the B.A.A., our local communities along the course, the Healey-Driscoll Administration, the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, and so many others. As I have often said: when it comes to the Boston Marathon, we operate as one team, with one mission—a safe, successful race day for all.”

Police Department

• Boston Police Department (BPD) will have uniformed and undercover officers along the marathon route.
• Cameras will be active along the Boston portion of the marathon route, and observation points will be set up around the finish line area in Back Bay to monitor the crowd.
• Spectators are encouraged to leave large items such as backpacks and strollers at home. These items are not banned; however, individuals may be subject to search.
• Call 9-1-1 in an emergency situation and follow @bostonpolice for race safety updates.

Fire Department

• Boston Fire will have walking patrols along the course to respond to fires, alarms, render medical aid, and to call in additional assets if needed.
• Boston Fire will position units on both sides of the course during the race to provide a full emergency response on each side of the course without disrupting the race.
• Hazardous materials and decontamination assets will be staged along the racecourse and will conduct active environmental monitoring for the presence of hazardous products.
• Technical rescue units will be staged at strategic locations along the course to assist police mitigate any course disruption and to stand ready to respond to any emergency.
• Boston Fire, in conjunction with other public safety agencies, is prepared to assist with the protection in place or evacuation of the public if necessary for any reason.
• Boston Fire will activate two drones to enhance situational awareness in any fire or emergency that may occur in the area of the race route.

Emergency Medical Services

• Boston EMS will have enhanced medical coverage, including additional personnel in the field, dispatch and special operations. 
• Units will be deployed along the Boston portion of the route and in the finish line area, ready to serve anyone requiring medical assistance, including runners, spectators, and volunteers. This will include EMTs and Paramedics working on ambulances, bikes and carts, as well as in medical stations. 
• Through close coordination with medical volunteers, Boston EMS strives to appropriately treat the majority of patients in medical stations along the course and finish line area, which is intended to mitigate the impact to the hospital system. 
• Boston EMS plans to increase the number of ambulances citywide to ensure there will be no disruption in services to residents.

Street Closures & Traffic Advisories

Please see the traffic advisory from the Boston Transportation Department.

• Vehicle traffic will be prohibited and parking will be restricted on many streets in Boston in the days leading up to the Boston Marathon and on Monday, April 21, 2025.
• Using the MBTA to travel to and from Boston on Marathon Monday is strongly recommended. Detailed information on MBTA service can be found at www.MBTA.com.  For a faster return trip, the MBTA advises riders to purchase a round-trip rather than a one-way ticket.
• On Marathon Monday, Newbury Street and Huntington Avenue outbound will be closed to vehicle traffic to allow easier spectator movement in the area.
• Visitors are encouraged to take advantage of the City’s Bluebikes program.
• Read all posted signs and variable message boards carefully.

Emergency Communications

• The City’s Emergency Operations Center will be open on Monday to monitor the races. The EOC will be staffed by City departments, state agencies, and non-profit partners to coordinate the City’s operational plan. Additionally, the EOC will monitor the weather, maintain situational awareness regarding the various Marathon events, respond to any resource requests from public safety, and manage family reunification if needed.
• Boston EMS, Police, Fire, and the Office of Emergency Management will have personnel assigned to the multi-agency coordination center at the Massachusetts Emergency Operation Center in Framingham.
• The Boston Public Health Commission will activate the Stephen M. Lawlor Medical Intelligence Center to keep hospitals and health care providers updated about the Marathon and help ensure proper resources. The Medical Intelligence Center also tracks all patients who go to the hospital and helps families who call 311 locate injured loved ones.

Sign up for AlertBoston to receive emergency notifications from the City at boston.gov/emergency. Alerts are available in the following languages: Arabic, Chinese, Cape Verdean Creole, French, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese.