In his 20th consecutive year, B.A.A. Start Line Coordinator Andy Deschenes was at the Common bright and early this morning to coordinate the police detail and painting crew. All new trusses and a larger starter’s platform are being assembled, which will make the starting line more visible from a distance. On Friday the bleachers will be installed and the area will be tidied up.

Planning for the Boston Marathon is a year-round endeavor. Deschenes coordinates with public safety officials, DPW, Parks and Rec, and the many volunteers that it takes to execute an event of this magnitude. From public officials to Porta-John’s, Deschenes and his team handle it all.

“Most importantly, I make sure that we get it cleaned up at the end of the day, so when we leave here it looks better than when we came,” said Deschenes.

Scott Stover is the Chief Marketing Officer for the B.A.A. “This is a big year,” he said. “We’re back from COVID with a full schedule of events. Our fan fest and expo activities are starting up on Friday and we’re hoping that everybody comes down, whether you’re in the race or know people in the race, or you’re just a fan of racing. We’re thrilled that everyone has a chance to be part of that excitement.”

Vehicles and onlookers passed by as the paint crew marked out the stencils and began to paint the iconic stripe.

The DPW crew did excellent work on the Common. The grass is fresh, the beds are raked and it looks like Spring in Hopkinton. Just in time to invite 30,000+ visitors to town.