Boston Marathon

The BAA said there will be four additional miles of barricades in Ashland, Natick, Newton, Wellesley, and Boston.

After a controversy involving Boston Marathon onlookers and police last year, the Boston Athletic Association is increasing barricades all along the course for the 2024 race.

The BAA, which runs the Boston Marathon, is reminding spectators to stay off the 26.2 mile course on Patriots Day with added barricades and spectator guidelines on their phone app, the organization said.

A spokesperson for the organization confirmed there will be four additional miles of barricades for this year’s Boston Marathon. The barricades will line the course in Ashland, Natick, Newton, Wellesley, and Boston.

The BAA said the additional barriers are meant to help with crowd support, signage, and even “branding obligations.” The barriers will help keep the course clear for runners in busy areas.

Last year, there was a confrontation between police and a racially diverse group of runners spectating and cheering on competitors at Heartbreak Hill. Just last month, the BAA took the blame and apologized to local police.

“Simply put, [BAA] did not do a good job last year communicating the longstanding policy that we need a clear course – free of spectators or other disruptions – to assure our 30,000 participants have an unobstructed path for all 26.2 miles,” Jack Fleming, president and CEO of the BAA, said in a statement.

The BAA adds spectator guidelines to app

The BAA app — which spectators can use to track runners — has a new feature this year. Spectators who download the app will read and agree to the BAA’s spectator guidelines. 

They reiterate that spectators aren’t allowed on the course at all and cannot run alongside athletes. The BAA said all types of vehicles are prohibited on the course and for fans to not throw anything, including confetti, streamers, bubbles, and bottles, on the course.

A full list of prohibited items can be found here.

“This addition allows us to proactively share the guidelines and helps us do a better job at communicating our clear course message to our spectators so that everyone can plan for a great day,” the BAA spokesperson said.