On Monday, runners from all over the world will descend on Hopkinton to begin the 26.2-mile trek toward Boylston Street where they will cross the finish line of the 127th Boston Marathon.
Along that route, scattered among the hundreds of thousands who gather to cheer and support the athletes attempting the race, will be thousands of race volunteers, coming from at least 44 states and 19 countries, who donate their days and hours to ensure the renowned endurance test goes off without a hitch.
Putting together a race that stretches more than two dozen miles through multiple municipalities requires some serious work, according to the Boston Athletic Association. In total about 9,000 people will be needed both on and before race day, including 1,900 medical personnel and an undisclosed but substantial number of law enforcement and security staff, according to a BAA spokesman.
Most volunteers work eight-hour shifts, the spokesman said, and over two-thirds are returning to volunteer for at least a second year. Over 100 volunteers have been present for over 30 races and one has worked for 48, the spokesperson said.
“Combining all of their past years of service, returning volunteers have a combined 36,000 years of service to the Boston Marathon,” Chris Lotsbom, director of race communications, said in a written statement.
According to Alaina Belanger, Senior Manager of Community Programs & Events, who oversees all of the race’s many volunteers, they return year after year because of the event itself, the existence of which would not be possible without their help.
“We have some of the most passionate volunteers who feel deeply connected to the Boston Marathon tradition. Whether supporting pre-race projects such as bib number packing or out on course at aid stations, the Boston Marathon truly couldn’t be the world-class race it is without the help of so many volunteers. We’re extremely thankful for their commitment each and every Patriots’ Day, and rely on their enthusiasm to make every participant’s experience memorable,” she told the Herald.
So many people volunteer, according to Lotsbom, that race organizers have to turn away hundreds each year; this year was no different.
“Due to overwhelming demand, this year we have to turn away more than 800 volunteers. We traditionally do have to turn away volunteers year in and year out,” he said.
Volunteers were beating down the doors at the BAA even the year following the horrific ending to 2013’s marathon, when a pair of explosive devices were detonated by terrorists near the finish line of race, killing three instantly and wounding hundreds.
Chris Farrand, regional director of the Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services, was on the ground that day and will be at the race this weekend. He told the Herald that each spring when the marathon is run and he returns to manage scores of volunteers at dozens of mobile feeding and watering units, he finds the same cast of characters volunteering to lend a hand.
“A lot of people just want to help. A lot of people want to do something with tangible results with activity and engagement,” he said. “They want to be there if there is a critical need again.”
One of those volunteers, who made it in for the first time this year despite hundreds of others being turned away, is Manchester, New Hampshire native Blake Tyler.
Tyler has watched the race before, and he’s a marathon runner himself, but he’s very excited to have a chance to help out at the finish line.
“I’m really looking forward to that,” he said. “The finish line is where a lot of those really powerful emotions and stories come out from the athletes as they cross.”