Runners, Volunteers, Spectators, and Sponsors:

This year, as we gather to cheer one another on and celebrate runners from all over the world, we do so in loving remembrance of those we lost ten years ago.

I am excited to welcome you to the 127th Boston Marathon. For more than a century, the City of Boston has been proud to partner with the Boston Athletic Association to host the world’s oldest annual marathon—a celebration of, and testament to, the resilience of the human spirit. This year, as we gather to cheer one another on and celebrate runners from all over the world, we do so in loving remembrance of those we lost ten years ago.

Saturday, April 15th, marked a decade since an unthinkable tragedy shook Boylston Street near the race's finish line. In the aftermath, we came together, finding strength and comfort in our community—mourning and moving forward as one. In the ten years that followed, that hasn't changed. In that same spirit, on the 15th, residents across our neighborhoods performed Acts of Kindness to commemorate One Boston Day. It was a demonstration of solidarity and togetherness, a show of love and support. A promise that when we feel lost or alone, our community will be there.

That's why the theme of this year's marathon, "one Boston," is so fitting. Because the people of Boston—including our visitors and neighbors—are one community. All around you are folks who were directly impacted by what happened here a decade ago. They're among the 30,000 runners from every U.S. state and more than 100 countries. They're volunteering alongside 9,500 others who keep the marathon, well, running! They're on the sidelines, cheering our runners on. They're the first responders keeping us healthy and safe today. As we reflect and look forward, we also come together to celebrate, and to give one another hope.

And of course, thank you to the B.A.A. for your work each and every year, and thank you to John Hancock for your 38 years of support as Principal Sponsor of the Boston Marathon. To all of our runners this year, best of luck in the race!

Sincerely,

Mayor Michelle Wu City of Boston