From B.A.A. press release

Boston, Mass.---(February 26, 2002). The Boston Athletic Association, in cooperation with the Boston Marathon communities of Hopkinton, Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Brookline, and Boston, will offer special tributes to Patriots' Day at the 106th Boston Marathon on April 15, 2002.

For the 17th consecutive year, John Hancock Financial Services is the principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon. Since 1986, John Hancock and the B.A.A. have worked in cooperation with the marathon's eight cities and towns, making the Boston Marathon a community-wide event like in no other era of the race's 106-year history.

The B.A.A. is encouraging residents and businesses in the cities and towns along the marathon route to contribute to a strong display of patriotism at this year's race. In Hopkinton, where the Boston Marathon begins, the town, Hopkinton Marathon Committee and Hopkinton Athletic Association are planning commemorative activities, including the National Flag Exhibit's unfurling of several massive American flags with the assistance of marathon participants (at the Athletes' Village on the morning of the race behind Hopkinton High School), and a proposed "fly over" of military aircraft by the U.S. Air National Guard immediately prior to the start of the race. An 18th century fife-and-drum corps ensemble on the Hopkinton Common and patriotic music performed by Massachusetts State Police Sergeant Dan Clark at the Athletes' Village and the starting area will create a festive Patriots' Day atmosphere at the world's premiere road race.

The American colors of red, white, and blue will be used on the stenciled starting line design and will be visible and evident throughout the race route. The B.A.A.'s newly-designed and recently-unveiled Patriots' Day logo will be prominent on many race-related items and at events.

"Our hope is that the other cities and towns will follow the lead of the B.A.A., the Hopkinton Marathon Committee and the Town of Hopkinton and initiate celebrations and commemorations of Patriots' Day appropriate and specific to themselves and consistent with our overall theme," said B.A.A. Executive Director Guy Morse. "This could mean something as simple and meaningful as residences and businesses displaying the American flag to more elaborate exhibitions of patriotism."

The B.A.A. has begun to communicate its plan through media and community relations, focusing on business, professional and civic organizations in the eight cities and towns.

"The communities along the route play an essential role in running the Boston Marathon," added Dave McGillivray, Boston Marathon Race Director. "Our vision and hope is for the spectators and citizens from the eight cities and towns - as well as the race participants, volunteers and officials alike - to show the world that the Boston area is a uniquely and profoundly American locale. There's no better venue and no better occasion than the Boston Marathon and Patriots' Day to showcase our spirit."

On this year's Patriots' Day, many of the marathon participants will be running in honor of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, and the men and women currently serving the U.S. around the world.

Finishers will cross a red-white-and-blue finish line, be wrapped in our country's colors with a mylar(R) heat-sheet blanket, and receive a participants' medal featuring a newly designed Patriots' Day logo. The race's overall winners will also be adorned with a vintage and redesigned champions' medals.

Other marathon-related activities include a warm-up run on the Sunday prior to Patriots' Day, re-named the "B.A.A. FREEDOM RUN" and in keeping with the patriotic theme. The 2.8-mile run will take in many of Boston's inspiring and educational tourist attractions, including part of the Freedom Trail.

Also, middle school students in the eight cities and towns along the course have been invited to participate in a new art and essay contest, sponsored by the B.A.A. and adidas and supported by school superintendents. To be eligible for prizes and awards, students have until mid-March to answer the question, "What does Patriots' Day mean to you?" Winning entries will be featured as part of the adidas booth at the John Hancock Sports and Fitness Expo at the Hynes Convention Center on race weekend.

The Boston Marathon has been held annually on Patriots' Day since its inception in 1897. Patriots' Day is a holiday in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, commemorating the start of the American Revolution and annually observed on the third Monday in April.

For more information on the Boston Marathon, check their official Web site, www.baa.org