The Boston Marathon really isn’t in Boston, is it?
The Boston Marathon starts in Hopkinton, then winds through suburbs like Wellesley and Newton before finally getting to Boston for the finish line at Copley. But not this marathon. 26.TRUE is a marathon alternative that starts and ends at Malcolm X Park in Roxbury, created and managed by the Pioneers Run Crew.
This unsanctioned 26.2 is specifically designed to amplify and celebrate the culture and diversity of the neighborhoods that make up Boston. According to the 26.TRUE website, this marathon is a tour of Boston – the real Boston – that highlights neighborhoods throughout the city and celebrates communities that are often overlooked during the Boston Marathon weekend. “We come together in defiance of history’s divisions to embrace old spaces in new ways and to run a marathon that is more than just a race.” The 26.2 TRUE kicks off Saturday at 8am!
So if you see a large group of people running in the neighborhood on Saturday, most likely it’s part of 26.TRUE. So make sure to cheer them on!
Image via 26.True on Instagram
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.
just tell the spectators to stay off the course