Race morning at Boston isn’t just about running — it’s about logistics. Buses to catch, bags to pack, corrals to find, and a schedule that waits for no one. Here’s your stress-free playbook for getting from Boston to Hopkinton and onto that start line with time to spare.
Gear Check Made Simple: Everything You Can (And Can’t) Bring
If you want warm, dry clothes waiting for you at the finish line, head to the gear check area at Boylston and Berkeley Streets. Drop-off runs from 5:45 a.m. to 9:15 a.m., and you can pick up your bag anytime between 11:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
A couple of quick things to know: only the clear plastic gear bag provided by the B.A.A. will be accepted (you’ll pick yours up at the Expo along with your bib). Before handing it off, slap the sticker label on it and cinch those drawstrings tight so nothing falls out along the way.
Now for the morning. When you grab your bib at packet pickup, you’ll also receive a small, clear one-gallon Start Area Bag. That is the only bag allowed on the B.A.A. buses and in Hopkinton, and it doubles as the bag your bib comes in. Use it for essentials like warm-up clothes, snacks, drinks, and throwaway layers.
One last heads-up: nothing gets shuttled from Hopkinton back to Boston. Anything you leave behind at the start gets donated to local organizations — so plan accordingly, and wear (or pack) only what you’re okay with either tossing, donating, or running in.
Getting To Hopkington: B.A.A. Buses from Boston Common
The B.A.A. strongly recommends taking the official buses. Loading happens on Charles Street, between the Public Garden and Boston Common. You’ll need your bib to board — buses are for official participants only.1Info for Athletes – Boston Athletic Association. (2026, April 19). Boston Athletic Association. https://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/info-for-athletes/#race-day-gear-check
Stick to your assigned loading window to avoid delays:
| Wave | Bib Color | Bib Numbers | Loading Begins |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Red | 201–8199 | 6:45 a.m. |
| 2 | White | 8200–11999 | 7:30 a.m. |
| 3 | Blue | 12000–15999 | 7:30 a.m. |
| 4 | Yellow | 16000–21299 | 8:00 a.m. |
| 5 | Green | 21300–26699 | 8:00 a.m. |
| 6 | Orange | 26700–33699 | 9:00 a.m. |
The last bus leaves Boston Common at 9:30 a.m. sharp. Miss it, and you’re on your own — so build in a generous cushion, especially if you’re staying outside the city.
Driving to Hopkinton (Limited Access)
Very limited first-come, first-served participant parking is available at the 52 and 80 South Street lots in Hopkinton. A bib is required, and a dedicated participant shuttle runs from these lots to Athletes’ Village between 7:00 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. If driving is your plan, arrive early because once these lots are full, they’re full.
Arriving at Athletes’ Village
Buses drop you at Hopkinton Middle/High School, home of the Athletes’ Village. You’ll show your bib to enter. Once inside, you’ll find water, Gatorade and portable toilets.
Use the portable toilets — there are plenty. Trespassing on private property is illegal, and the town enforces it strictly. Violators can be disqualified on the spot.
Exiting the Village to the Corrals
Your corral is printed in a square box on your bib. The start line is a 0.7-mile walk from Athletes’ Village, so factor that in when timing your exit. Runners leave the Village by wave, bib number, and corral:
| Wave | Exit Village | Start Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Red) | 9:15–9:30 a.m. | 10:00 a.m. |
| 2 (White) | 9:35–9:40 a.m. | 10:15 a.m. |
| 3 (Blue) | 9:45–9:50 a.m. | 10:28 a.m. |
| 4 (Yellow) | 9:55–10:10 a.m. | 10:41 a.m. |
| 5 (Green) | 10:15–10:30 a.m. | 11:01 a.m. |
| 6 (Orange) | 10:35–10:50 a.m. | 11:21 a.m. |
You may drop back to a later wave or corral (except the first corral of any wave), but you can never move up. Violators face disqualification.
Getting Back After
Limited free return transportation runs from Columbus Ave between Berkeley and Clarendon back to Hopkinton from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on race day.
Quick Race Morning Checklist
- Bib pinned and visible on your outermost layer
- Emergency info filled out on the back of your bib
- Throwaway warm layers for the Hopkinton wait — it’ll be chilly
- Clear one-gallon Start Area Bag with only what you need (fuel, water)
- Pre-race breakfast eaten before boarding
- Finish-line gear bag dropped at Boylston/Berkeley (if using)
- Family meeting spot confirmed on Stuart Street
- Arrive at Charles Street loading zone inside your assigned window
- Last bus leaves at 9:30 a.m. — don’t cut it close
Race morning at Boston can feel overwhelming on paper, but it’s really just a series of simple checkpoints — show up at Charles Street on time, bring the right bag, board your bus, and let the B.A.A. handle the rest. Do that, and you’ll arrive in Hopkinton calm, warm, and ready to tackle the 26.2 miles ahead.
So set two alarms, eat your breakfast, pin that bib, and catch an early bus. The hardest part of your day isn’t the logistics — it’s the course. And once you make that final turn onto Boylston, every early wake-up, chilly wait, and 0.7-mile walk to the line will be worth it.
See you in Hopkinton. See you on Boylston. Good luck out there.
