NOTEBOOK Race week happenings, stats and stories

Grand Marshals

Five Boston Marathon champions and eight frontline workers served as ceremonial Grand Marshals for this year's race, riding aboard a pair of Boston Duck Boats in front of the field. The frontline workers were nominated by hospitals from the John Hancock Non-Profit and B.A.A. Charity Programs.

Frontline workers serving as Grand Marshals included Meg Femino of Beth Israel Lahey Health; Martha Kaniaru of Spaulding Rehabilitation; Loren Aiello of Boston Children's Hospital; Eric Goralnick of Brigham and Women's Hospital; Christopher S. Lathan of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Mark Mullins of Tufts Medical Center; Anely Lopes of Boston Medical Center; and Susan Wilcox of Massachusetts General Hospital.

Joining the eight frontline workers were Boston Marathon champions Meb Kefezighi, Sara Mae Berman, Bill Rodgers, Joan Benoit Samuelson, and Jack Fultz. The Grand Marshals were driven the entire 26.2-mile course aboard Boston Duck Boats" Back Bay Bertha" and "Catie Copley."

Dick & Rick Hoyt Award

Last year, Boston Marathon legend and 32-time finisher Dick Hoyt passed away at the age of 80. Dick personified what it meant to be a Boston Marathoner, showing determination, passion, and love every Patriots’ Day as he pushed his son Rick in a racing chair. Team Hoyt quickly became fan favorites in Boston, drawing perhaps the loudest cheers of anyone on course.

In Dick's honor, the newly established Dick & Rick Hoyt Award will be annually

given to a recipient that has contributed to furthering inclusion in sport. The Dick & Rick Hoyt Award honors qualities which capture and exhibit the spirit of Team Hoyt's legacy: dedication, endurance,

commitment to inclusion, philanthropic initiatives, and sportsmanship. The award will be accompanied by a grant from the B.A.A. to a charitable organization of the recipient's choice.

At the Boston Marathon Opening Celebration on October 8, Dick's son Russell accepted the award on his family's behalf, and introduced a heartwarming video message from his brother Rick.