Running Clothes
Runners wear special sneakers called running shoes that are lightweight and have extra cushion to protect their feet
What kind of shoes do runners wear?
Runners pass a statue of Stylianos Kyriakides, a famous winner who ran to help people in his home country of Greece.
What is the famous sign at the one-mile mark in Hopkinton?
What animal is on the Boston Marathon medal?
A mythical unicorn is on every medal! The unicorn's name is Spike, and it has been the symbol of the race for over 100 years because it represents a goal that is hard to catch.
Professional runners are athletes who run as their full-time job. They are very fast and start the race first so they have a clear path to the finish line.
Who are the "Professional" runners?
It was a very chilly and breezy day this morning. The race started with temperatures in the low 30s or 40s, and it willonly warmed up to about 50 degrees by the afternoon.
What was the weather like for the 2026 Boston Marathon?
This special fabric pulls sweat away from their skin so their clothes don't get heavy and wet while they run.
Why do runners wear clothes made of "moisture-wicking" fabric?
It is a part of the course where students line up and cheer so loudly that it sounds like a tunnel of noise!
What is the "Scream Tunnel" at Wellesley College?
Starting recently, the medals are made from recycled steel. This helps the environment by using metal that has been used before instead of making new metal from scratch.
What are the medals made of?
This category is for athletes who use racing wheelchairs. They are often the fastest people on the course because they can roll down the hills very quickly!
What is the Wheelchair Division?
Most experts say the best weather is cool and cloudy, around 45 to 50 degrees. This helps runners keep their bodies from getting too hot while they run such a long way.
What is the "perfect" weather for running a marathon?
Bright colors help the crowds see them easily, and it makes it safer if they are running near cars or traffic.
This special fabric pulls sweat away from their skin so their clothes don't get heavy and wet while they run.
It is called Heartbreak Hill, and it is located in the city of Newton near the end of the race.
What is the name of the hardest hill in the race?
The ribbon is usually blue and yellow (or gold), which are the official colors of the Boston Athletic Association.
What color is the ribbon that holds the medal?
These divisions are for runners who have different types of challenges, like being blind or having a limb that works differently. Some of these runners even have guide runners who run next to them to help them stay on the right path.
This category is for athletes who use racing wheelchairs. They are often the fastest people on the course because they can roll down the hills very quickly!
It has snowed at least five times in the history of the race. The last time "snow squalls" (quick, heavy bursts of snow) happened during the race was a long time ago, in 1967.
Has it ever snowed during the Boston Marathon?
They often wear sunglasses to protect their eyes and a hat or visor to keep the sun out of their face.
What do runners wear if it is a sunny day?
Runners see the giant Citgo Sign near Fenway Park, which lets them know they only have one mile left to go.
What sign do runners see near the end?
The design of the medal changes a little bit every year! For example, the 2026 medal was made extra golden to celebrate the race's 130th birthday.
Do the medals always look exactly the same?
There is a non-binary category for runners who don't feel like they fit into the "male" or "female" groups. This category was added a few years ago so everyone can feel included exactly as they are.
Can people who aren't boys or girls enter the race?
A tailwind is a wind that blows from behind the runners. It helps push the runners toward the finish line.
What is a "tailwind," and why do runners love it?
A bib is a piece of paper with a number on it that runners pin to the front of their shirts so the timers know who they are.
What is a "racing bib"?
The race ends on Boylston Street, right in front of the Boston Public Library.
Where is the finish line located?
Every person who finishes the full 26.2-mile race gets a medal. It doesn't matter if they are the fastest runner in the world or the very last person to cross the line; they all get the same prize for finishing.
Who gets a medal at the end of the race?
Because there are 30,000 people running, there isn't enough room for everyone to start at once. Runners are put into six different waves based on how fast they are, so the course doesn't get too crowded.
Why are there different "Waves" of runners?
The hottest race was in 1905, when the temperature reached 100 degrees! More recently, in 2012, it was also very hot (around 89 degrees), and the race leaders had to tell everyone to run slowly so they wouldn't get sick.
How hot was the hottest Boston Marathon ever?