Boston Marathon Monuments
The Boston Marathon has been memorialized around the world in various forms. Here is a listing of many of the monuments devoted to the Boston Marathon, or its many famous personalities and stars.
MONUMENTS ON THE BOSTON MARATHON COURSE
Hopkinton
“The Spirit of the Marathon” Hopkinton, MA (Dedicated 2006)
This sculpture by Mico Kaufman was originally dedicated in Greece in 2004. A replica was unveiled in
Boston two years later. The work honors 1946 Boston Marathon champion Stylianos Kyriakides, who
brought attention to his war-torn homeland of Greece. The sculpture shows Kyriakides alongside Spiridon
Louis, champion of the first Olympic marathon.
Thomas J. Brown Post Office Hopkinton, MA (Dedicated September 11, 2000)
Thomas J. Brown, the former postmaster of Hopkinton (1940–1970), was also the president of the Boston
Athletic Association from 1982–1985. For many years he also served as the race’s official starter, an
honor that has long been given to members of the Brown family, dating back to 1905 when Walter V.
Brown fired the gun.
George V. Brown sculpture Hopkinton, MA (Dedicated April 13, 2008)
George V. Brown first joined the B.A.A. in 1900, served as the organization’s athletic director for 20
years, and oversaw the lengthening of Boston Marathon to the official Olympic distance of 26.2 miles.
He is also a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. This sculpture depicts Brown firing the starting gun for
the Boston Marathon, an honor that he performed for more than two decades. Brown is buried in St. John
the Evangelist Cemetery, less than one mile from the starting line of the Boston Marathon. The sculpture by
artist Michael Alfano was unveiled on April 13, 2008, at a performance by the MetroWest Symphony
Orchestra.
Ashland
Marathon Park Ashland, MA (Opened in 2003)
Marking the Boston Marathon’s original starting line, on Pleasant Street in Ashland, Marathon Park is on
the site of the former Metcalf’s Mill. The marathon began in Ashland from 1897 to 1923, before the
race’s distance was lengthened from 24.5 miles to 26.2 miles and the starting line moved to Hopkinton.
Newton
“Young at Heart” Newton, MA (Unveiled April 18, 1993)
This sculpture, near the base of Heartbeak Hill in Newton, honors the late John A. Kelley, champion of the
Boston Marathon in both 1935 and 1945. It features likenesses of Kelley at the age of 27 (when he won
his first Boston) and 84 (when he ran his last, in 1992). He completed the race 58 times, and then served
as the race’s Grand Marshal until his death in 2004. The sculpture was designed by artist Rich Muno.
Boston
Tommy Leonard Bridge Boston, MA (Dedicated 1982)
Located on Massachusetts Avenue at Commonwealth Avenue in Boston, the bridge is named in honor of
Tommy Leonard, former bartender at the Eliot Lounge and Official Greeter of the Boston Marathon.
Leonard has also been honored by a bench in Falmouth, MA, which bears his name. Leonard was the
founder of the Falmouth Road Race.
Bill Rodgers Faneuil “Hall of Fame” plaque Boston, MA (Dedicated March 22, 2000)
Four-time Boston Marathon champion Bill Rodgers was inducted to the Faneuil “Hall of Fame” in 2000,
taking his place alongside fellow Boston sports legends Larry Bird and Red Auerbach. A plaque bearing Rodgers’s name and a pair of bronze running shoes was placed near his store, the Bill Rodgers Running
Center, which remains a Faneuil Hall staple.
Boston Marathon Centennial Monument Boston, MA (Dedicated April 9, 1996)
A gift to the City of Boston from John Hancock Financial Services and the Boston Athletic Association, the
centerpiece of the monument is a medallion 15 feet in diameter featuring the engraved names of all male
and female champions from the open, masters and wheelchair divisions since the inaugural B.A.A.
Marathon in 1897. Designed by architect Mark Flannery, it is updated each year. Located in Copley
Square Park at the corner of Boylston and Dartmouth streets, near the finish line.
Tortoise and Hare at Copley Square Boston, MA (Dedicated May 1995)
Sculptor Nancy Schon grew up in Newton loving the Boston Marathon, and wanted to commemorate the
event’s 100th anniversary in 1996. Sponsored by the Friends of Copley Square, the bronze pairing represents
persistence and accomplishment: slow and steady wins the race. “I hope that children will cherish
these animals – pat them, hug them and learn the important lesson that the fable teaches,” writes Schon
on her website. “After all, children are our future and they are the runners and citizens of tomorrow.”
MONUMENTS AROUND THE WORLD
Estadio Nacional Mateo Flores. Guatemala (Renamed 1954)
“Revolution Stadium” in Guatemala was renamed in 1954 to honor the 1952 Boston Marathon champion,
Doroteo Flores. In the late 1990s, Flores was named Guatemala’s “Athlete of the Century,” and a
school and road also bear his name in Cotio, his hometown.
Johnny Miles statue. Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada (Unveiled September 5, 2008)
This lifesize statue, honoring 1926 and 1929 Boston Marathon champion John C. Miles, is located on
the Jubilee Elementary School grounds.
Johnny Miles Inspirational Trail and Memorial. New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Canada (Dedicated
May 7, 2005)
This trail and memorial, honoring 1926 and 1929 Boston Marathon champion John C. Miles, was dedicated
on the occasion of the 30th running of the Johnny Miles Marathon.
Johnny Kelley Trail. Dennis, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
A 1.5-mile, unpaved wooded trail honors Boston Marathon stalwart Johnny Kelley, who lived in East
Dennis for many years. The trail includes circuit-training stations, is braille-equipped and features inspirational
messages along the way.
Bill Rodgers and Joan Samuelson statue. Davenport, Iowa (Unveiled July 1999)
In celebration of the race’s 25th anniversary, the Quad City Times Bix 7 road race dedicated statues of
four-time Boston Marathon winner Bill Rodgers and two-time winner Joan Samuelson, Bix’s most popular
athletes, at the corner of Fourth Street and River Drive in Bix Plaza.
Joan Samuelson statue. Cape Elizabeth, Maine (Dedicated May 21, 1986)
A life-sized, bronze sculpture of Joan Samuelson, who won the Olympic gold medal in the marathon in
1984, is featured outside the Thomas Memorial Library at 6 Scott Dyer Road in Cape Elizabeth,
Samuelson’s hometown.
(Please contact the B.A.A. if you are aware of additional public monuments and they will be added to the list in future editions of the Media Guide.)