The 2024 bus is almost full!
Sign up here.
Ram’s Magical Bus Ride to Hopkinton
Back in 2004, Ram Satyaprasad had this great of idea of renting a coach bus the morning of the Boston Marathon and driving it to the start of the Boston Marathon. In 2010, Andy Merlino took over the reigns to keep Ram’s excitement for the marathon and the tradition alive!
How does it work? The Shamrock Running club rents a charter bus with a bathroom that drives one way from Medford to the Boston Marathon Athletic Village. On very cold, very hot or rainy days, it is the best option to stay out of the elements. The bus stays in the athletic village until the last runner leaves for the last wave.
Pick up The bus leaves at 7AM sharp from the MBTA Wellington T station. MBTA Wellington Bus Stop/MBTA Station, 101 Rivers Edge Dr, Medford, MA 02155.
Cost $25 for active Shamrock Running Club members and and $40 for non-members. The charge covers the cost of the charter bus, the athletic village BAA parking lot fee and a tip to the driver.
Requirement To ride this bus, you must be running and have a BAA Boston Marathon Number. Because this is a one way bus to the start and we have limited seats, we can not take spectators to Hopkinton.
Sign up Shamrock Running Club Members can reserve a seat on January 1 of the marathon year. Non-Shamrock Running Club Members can reserve any remaining seat after February 1 of the marathon year. We have had Non-Shamrock Running Club Members join the club so that they can guarantee their seat. See club’s membership page for other benefits. Sign up is through Andy Merlino.
Leaving Belongings on the Bus The BAA no longer ships athletic bags from Hopkinton to the finish line. The motor coach company will allow athletes to leave a duffle bag of belongings on the bus. All of the duffle bags will be brought back to the bus company bus yard, retrieved by a Shamrock and made available that evening at a Shamrock gathering and throughout the week. Your bag WILL NOT be at the marathon finish line. Plan accordingly. The bus company and the Shamrock Running Club is not responsible for any belongings left on the bus. Thus, don’t leave anything valuable.
Recommended Meeting Spot My wife has been meeting me at the end of the finisher’s shoot (not the finish line) at the corner of Boylston St. and Arlington St. A good land mark to meet at is steps of the William Ellery Channing Statue. When you finish, you will be given a metallic blanket to stay warm or dry. I highly recommend having a person at this statue with warm dry clothes.
