04/22/2025
The Boston Marathon is a highlight for the city. It is a day everyone comes together, supports each other and celebrates each other. This year marked the 50th year wheelchairs athletes have been competing in the Boston Marathon. It was incredible to watch these athletes cross the finish line.
Boston Marathon as a Medical Volunteer
I often get asked what a physical therapist does at the Boston Marathon as a medical volunteer. Follow along to see what a day in the life consists of!
Check in for medical volunteers is bright and early at 6:30am. From there, you meet with your specific team. It is always fun to see the same people I volunteered with last year and get to spend the day with.
Medical Volunteers
I am apart of the Medical Sweep Team. This means, I am not in the finish line medical tent, but on the street of the finish line to triage runners to the medical tent who need it. I keep watch and assess people who look like they may need medical assistance, do a very quick screen to decide if they need to go to the tent, and take them if so.
All medical volunteers (I believe there is around 200 of us), meet at 8am for an all team meeting. Followed by a medical sweep team meeting. This is just to remind us protocols, what to look for, etc. Prior to marathon day, we have all done assigned modules and quizzes to prep us for the day.
Lunch comes early, at 10:30am you pick up your Chick Fil A sandwich. We have a break at this point because runners are yet to come through. I love to go right to the finish line to watch the wheelchair athletes and elite athletes cross. It is so inspiring to watch these athletes complete such a monumental accomplishment.
Let the games begin
We take our places around noon. First up the qualifiers cross the line, mens group followed by the women’s group. It quickly gets busy, running to and from the medical tent to drop off runners, and make sure everyone coming through it okay. There is a steady flow of runners until 4ish. During this time, coverage typically moves pending on what areas are more busy. I was stationed in front of the medical tent this year, but ended up covering another area as well because it was busy.
Closing out the day
Around 4-5pm, most runners (90% by 5pm) have crossed the finish line, so we slow down a bit. The finish line closes at 5:30pm. You can still continue at your own risk, but there is no longer staff. By 5:30pm the medial tent is closed, we are making sure the last people coming through are okay. Then we return any equipment and are out of there by 6pm! I totaled the day a bit of 6 miles of walking just through volunteering!
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