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Town of Hopkinton Supports Boston Marathon Postponement

By contributor,
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- It all starts here, but not until Monday, September
14, 2020. At a press conference held on Friday, March 13, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh
announced that the Boston Marathon has been postponed due to concerns about the
coronavirus pandemic.

Select Board Vice Chair John Coutinho and Boston Athletic Association (BAA) liaison
participated in the official announcement after working closely with Governor Charlie
Baker, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, Boston Athletic Association CEO Tom Grilk,
Hopkinton Town Manager Norman Khumalo and town managers from towns along the
marathon route to find an alternative date that would work for all concerned.

“It was all about collaboration and cooperation,” said Coutinho. “Everyone wants the
Boston Marathon to happen. Its best to have it just be postponed and rescheduled to
September; all the people at the press conference were excited about that. Being
cancelled was just not in the cards.”

September 14 will be a holiday and will be called Marathon Day.
Coutinho said that the millions of dollars made to communities along the route and all of
the fundraising that has been happening can continue. “It means so much to
Hopkinton,” he said. “We take care of each other.”

“Hopkinton’s position in this decision was to protect the health and welfare of the
community, runners, visitors, and spectators while growing its long-standing relationship
with the Boston Athletic Association,” said Town Manager Norman Khumalo. “Hopkinton
is looking forward to working with the BAA and its partners planning for a successful
Boston Marathon on Monday, September 14, 2020.”