'It all starts here' Boston Marathon, Hopkinton celebrate starting line milestone
HOPKINTON — Senate President Karen Spilka congratulated Hopkinton on its 100th year of hosting the start of the Boston Marathon during a reception Thursday night at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts.
Spilka presented the town, which is part of her Middlesex and Norfolk District, with a resolution from the Legislature highlighting Hopkinton's role in the world’s oldest continuous Marathon. This year, runners will take their places April 15 at the starting line on East Main Street (Route 135).
“I want to express my deep appreciation to the town of Hopkinton and unwavering support for the hope that the Boston Marathon brings,” Spilka said during Thursday's reception. “The power of seeing the whole community come together, as it does in Hopkinton — when it’s a moment when all the world’s eyes are on us — it’s really breathtaking.”
It all starts here: Why does the Boston Marathon start in Hopkinton?
When the Marathon was founded in 1897, runners started from Metcalf’s Mill in Ashland, but the starting line was moved to Hopkinton in 1924.
Thursday's reception was one of a series of events celebrating this year’s 100th anniversary hosted by the Hopkinton Center for the Arts and the 26.2 Foundation, a Hopkinton nonprofit promoting health and marathons globally.
Head of the 26.2 Foundation says Spilka is longtime ally
Tim Kilduff, president of the 26.2 Foundation, said Spilka has been a longtime ally in recognizing the economic and community benefits of local participation in the prestigious race.
“There's more to the Marathon than running 26.2 miles,” Kilduff said in an interview. “She gets that.”
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This year’s “Celebrating 100 Starts” initiative includes an art exhibition and fundraising auction featuring the work of 26 MetroWest artists.
Each artist designed their own 2-by-3-foot piece in the shape of a winged foot. Bids for the winged foot art pieces close at 5 p.m. on April 21. All proceeds go to The Hopkinton Center for the Arts and the 26.2 Foundation.
HCA director says artists express their connection to Boston Marathon
Kelly Grill, executive director of the Hopkinton Center for the Arts, said art provides a unique venue for artists throughout the region to express their connection to the Boston Marathon.
“Art is just a wonderful expression of stories, and there are so many amazing Marathon stories,” she said in an interview. The athletes “all have their own reason for running, their own journey, their own challenges to overcome — and that is really so inspiring.”
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The Hopkinton Public Library is displaying a new "The Flight of Victory" mural highlighting the race until April 21.
Kilduff said it’s important to recognize Hopkinton’s “own Marathon footprint” when it comes to connecting with athletes from throughout the world.
“There's sort of a sense of community, the kind of village atmosphere that — despite the fact they're only here for a relatively short period of time — rubs off on them,” he said. “They feel welcomed. We hear that story all the time.”
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Boston Marathon: Hopkinton celebrated for hosting start for 100 years
