Boston Marathon 2018: What you need to know

BOSTON — Boston city leaders met Thursday to discuss preparations and security plans for the 122nd Boston Marathon.

Patriots' Day Weekend is upon us and tens of thousands of people will be in the city for the festivities, which include the Boston Marathon, the Patriots' Day Parade, the BAA 5K, and more.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said they have been busy getting ready for the weekend.

"It really takes a lot of coordination and it's an amazing weekend here in Boston so I want to thank all involved," said Walsh.

Road closures and parking restrictions can be expected throughout the city all weekend.

BAA K5, INVITATIONAL MILE

The BAA 5K and Invitational Mile will be taking place on Saturday, April 14. The 5K begins at 8 a.m. on Charles Street and is expected to last about one hour. The Invitational Mile will start after the 5K on Boylston Street.

• Boylston Street, from Hereford Street to Clarendon Street
• Newbury Street, from Clarendon Street to Fairfield Street
• Exeter Street, from Newbury Street to Boylston Street

ONE BOSTON DAY

Sunday, April 15 is One Boston Day, a city-wide call to service. The annual tradition has become a movement over the last five years as a way to honor those who were lost in the marathon bombings and support those who are still on the road to recovery.

"A powerful way to show what it means to be Boston Strong. After the marathon incident in 2013, if you noticed five or six days after the marathon, no one was beeping horns, no one was yelling at people. It was really a different kind of feel in the city of Boston. And we're asking people - let's bring that feel back to Boston. Let's be patient. Let's work with each other. It might mean buying a cup of coffee for someone, holding the door for somebody, it might be a simple gesture just saying hello to someone walking down the street."

- Mayor Marty Walsh

There will be acts of kindness all over the city.

Boston 25 News is sponsoring the Boston Strong Blood Drive on One Boston Day. To join us and the Red Cross in helping save lives, click here.

"We're asking everyone who loves this city to join the One Boston Day movement," said Walsh.

>> Boston Strong Blood Drive - 4.15

Joins us to give back for One Boston Day Joins us to give back for One Boston Day at the Boston Strong Blood Drive at the Sheraton Boston or a number of other opportunities to help the community as one.

MARATHON MONDAY

Tens of thousands of people will be in the city on Monday as participants and spectators.

The Boston Police Department put together a comprehensive safety plan ahead of the events.

"We don't want to get complacent," said BPD Commissioner William Evans.

A large presence of uniformed and undercover officers will be throughout downtown, observation teams will be on roofs, SWAT and haz mat teams will be along the course and security checkpoints will be in place. They will also activate the Emergency Operations Center.

Mayor Walsh said that while there will be additional officers downtown, the city will maintain normal staffing levels throughout neighborhoods.

STREET CLOSURES

• 5 a.m.: Charles Street, adjacent to the Boston Common will close
• 6 a.m.: Boylston Street, Hereford Street to Arlington Street will close
• 8 a.m.: All streets east of Massachusetts Avenue and Massachusetts Turnpike Exit 22 will close
• 8 a.m.: All streets west of Massachusetts Avenue in the Kenmore Square Audubon Circle area will close
• 8:30 a.m.: All streets in the Brighton area leading to the route will close

For a complete list of road closures from the city of Boston, click here.

The FAA has also deemed the marathon route as a no-fly zone, meaning no drones are allowed to fly over.

Evans says there is no threat to the marathon on Monday.

BANNED ITEMS: 

• No weapons or fireworks
• No backpacks, handbags or suitcases
• No large blankets or sleeping bags
• No coolers, glass or containers larger than one liter
• No costumes, props or anything covering the face

"Other than weather, we anticipate a great day," said Evans. "Overall, we're just asking people to behave."

As always, Evan stressed to those attending this weekend's events, if you see something, say something. 

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• Canines hone explosive detection skills ahead of Boston Marathon
• Police: Marathon security tight, despite no known threats
• Couple who survived Marathon bombing turn their story into children's book
• 5 years after Marathon bombing, first responders' bond remains strong
• Woman runs marathon course with boyfriend with spinal cord injury
• Father of Conrad Roy III running Boston Marathon for suicide awareness

Cox Media Group