Members of the Hopkinton Board of Selectmen are (clockwise from top left) John Coutinho, Claire Wright (chair), Brendan Tedstone, Irfan Nasrullah and Brian Herr.

On behalf of the Hopkinton Board of Selectmen, a warm and hearty welcome to the runners, supporters and visitors from near and far for the 123rd running of the Boston Marathon. For both seasoned competitors and first-time participants from around the globe, nothing compares to the thrill and challenge of the Boston Marathon!

For every athlete, this world-renowned race is a highlight event, and for Hopkinton as well, it is our town’s annual highlight, eagerly awaited and enthusiastically celebrated. It is a triumph of the human spirit for every runner — from first to last — and an inspiration to all.

Congratulations to our qualifying runners, whose hard work and determination have earned them their prestigious places. Congratulations as well to our many charity runners, who have trained rigorously to run this race for so many wonderful and deserving causes. The good you will accomplish and the tremendous effort involved is humbling. A huge thank you to the Boston Athletic Association and its chief executive officer Tom Grilk for supplying these valuable charity numbers, which do so much good for so many.

Each year, as our small town prepares to welcome thousands of runners and spectators, our Hopkinton Marathon Committee works tirelessly behind the scenes to address hundreds of details with the BAA, public safety officials and volunteers to help present this smoothly and meticulously coordinated race. The Hopkinton Marathon Committee, volunteers and scores of public safety personnel are quiet, unsung heroes who also deserve our thanks.

Here in Hopkinton, the spirit of the Marathon is in our hearts. With sister-city alliances in Marathon, Greece, and Limassol, Cyprus, and plans underway to build an International Marathon Center, the Marathon is truly a part of the fabric of Hopkinton. As athletes pass the beautiful Stylianos Kyriakides “Spirit of the Marathon” statue at Mile 1, each runner will share a part of the Kyriakides spirit that it represents — the spirit of determination, of effort, of challenge, and a dedication to serving others.

We wish every runner of the 2019 Boston Marathon a day of success and personal triumph, and a race to remember.

Cordially,

Hopkinton Board of Selectmen

Claire Wright, chair

Brendan Tedstone

John Coutinho

Brian Herr

Irfan Nasrullah