Hometown Weekly Staff
When the 120th running of the Boston Marathon takes place on Monday, April 18, more than 20,000 runners will head through Wellesley on their way to Boston as part of the most renowned road races in the world.
While being part of an iconic race such as the Boston Marathon certainly brings prestige and money to the community, it will also mean road closures and increased safety precautions in the area.
The race will enter Wellesley on Central St. (Rt. 135) at the Natick line near Wellesley College. It will continue east on Central St. through Wellesley Square and then continue on Washington St. eastbound through Wellesley Hills and into the Lower Falls before leaving Wellesley on Washington St. at the Newton line.
The only way for people to cross over the route with a motor vehicle is to utilize Rt. 9 (Worcester St.) underneath Rt. 16 (Washington St.).
The Boston Marathon requires significant road closures in Wellesley, according to Wellesley Police Lt. Marie Cleary. Several roads will close between a.m. and 8:30 a.m. and will remain closed until the end of the race.
“We expect to begin opening the roads at 3 p.m.,” said Cleary. “Please note that this is an approximate time for opening. You will not be able to cross the race route with a motor vehicle once the road is closed.”
Central St. will be closed from the Natick line to Grove St., and Washington St. will be closed from Grove St. to the Newton line. There will be no traffic allowed across the race route once the road is closed. Vehicles parked in parking lots along the route will not be allowed to leave until the road is open.
“There will be some temporary ‘No Parking’ areas that will be posted close to the Boston Marathon route,” Cleary said. “”Vehicles that park in these temporary no parking zones will be removed and towed.”
Central St., from Weston Rd. to Grove St., and Washington St., from Grove St. to Cameron St., will have barricades in place on Sunday, April 18, starting at 9 p.m. No parking will be allowed on these sections of Washington St. and Central St. until the race has concluded the next day.
Some additional temporary no parking zones include:
Curve Street on the west side from Linden to Crest.
Crest Road on the west side from Linden to Curve.
Howe Street on the south side from Weston to Curve.
Weston Road on the east side from Linden to Turner.
Central Street from Weston to Grove.
Linden Street from Weston Road to Crest Road on both sides of the road.
Wellesley Ave from Washington to Atwood.
Woodlawn, near the DPW entrance.
Garden Road one side to Colburn.
Colburn Road one side.
Chestnut Street one side.
Washington Street on both sides from Grove to the Newton line.
River Street
Wareland Road
Brook Street from Wellesley Ave to Amherst.
“All Wellesley Officers will work on Marathon Monday and we have the assistance of the MetroLEC Motorcycle unit, Wellesley College Police, Babson Police, Needham Police and officers from other agencies in Norfolk County,” Cleary said. “Security measures are similar to those last year.”
According to the B.A.A. website, spectators approaching viewing points along the course may be asked to pass through security checkpoints, while law enforcement officers may ask to inspect carried bags or other items.
Spectators are encouraged to carry their belongings in clear plastic bags, which will enhance public safety and speed security screening. Spectators should not leave their belongings unattended.
Law enforcement agencies encourage people to “See Something Say Something.” If you see anything suspicious contact the closest law enforcement officer or call 9-1-1.
The following is a list of items that spectators are discouraged from bringing to the race: weapons, backpacks, suitcases and rolling bags, coolers, glass containers or cans, flammable liquids, fuels, fireworks or explosives, any container capable of carrying more than 1 liter of liquid, handbags or packages or bulky items larger than 12 inches x 12 inches x 6 inches, costumes covering the face or an non-form fitting, bulky outfits extending beyond the perimeter of the body and props, including sporting equipment and military and fire gear.
People watching the marathon in Wellesley should also be aware of where they should observe so as not to disrupt the race, while message boards will be posted along the route to remind the motoring public about the road closures.
“During the height of the marathon it is not safe for spectators to cross the marathon route,” Cleary said. “It is disruptive to the marathon runners and there are barricades in place in many locations along the route that make it difficult for spectators to cross from one side of the route to the other.”
Robert Rosen is an Editor at Hometown Weekly. He can be reached atnews@hometownweekly.net and followed on Twitter @roberterosen.
