Boston 3 Day Spectator Info!

Attention friends, family and assorted supportive strangers in the Boston area!  The Boston 2010 3 Day for the Cure is just five days away which means it is time to make your plans to come out and support all of us during our 3 day, 60 mile journey!

There are three different opportunities for spectators to come out and be a part of the 3 Day experience: Opening Ceremonies on Friday morning, Cheering Stations along the route throughout the three days of the event and Closing Ceremonies on Sunday evening.  I'm going run through each of these to give you all an idea of what to expect should you choose to join us (and you should!).  Please note that I am borrowing much of this information directly from the Spectator Information section of the 3 Day website, which can be found here.

Opening Ceremonies

Friday June 23rd at 6:30am 

Farm Pond 
100 Dudley Road
Framingham, MA 01702
Map

Spectator Parking Directions:

• From Route 135/Waverly Street, proceed on Fountain Street, turn right onto Winter Street and proceed for approximately 0.9 miles.
• Turn right onto Dr. Harvey Cushing Way.
• Turn right into the parking lot for Summerville at Farm Pond.
• Please note that parking will not be permitted at Barbieri School, across the street from Farm Pond.

The Komen 3-Day for the Cure begins early Friday morning with the Opening Ceremony. When you arrive, take a moment to write the names of the people in your life who have lost their lives to breast cancer on the white ribbons we will provide. Those ribbons will be used to create a special memorial flag that will be raised during the ceremony.

This celebration is not just for participants. Friends and family are highly encouraged to attend, though please note that seating will not be available, so if you are unable to stand for 30-60 minutes, you may want to bring a folding chair. Please allow extra travel time due to expected traffic congestion at the site.

After the Opening Ceremony is over, participants will begin walking the 60-mile route and start a journey of a lifetime. It will be even more special if you are there to help send them off with smiles and encouragement. We'll also have the 3DayGear.com™ store on site if you'd like to purchase a souvenir for yourself or your participant.

Opening Ceremonies, Atlanta 2007

Cheering Stations

Friday June 23rd

Cheering Station 1, 8:30 - 11:30am          St. Paul's Church 502 Washington St. Wellesley, MA 02482 Map

Cheering Station 2, 12:30 - 6:15pm Yolanda's Parking Lot 355 SR-60 Waverly Oaks Rd.   Waltham, MA 02452 Map

Saturday June 24th

Cheering Station 1, 7:30 - 10:45am          Robbins Farm Park 51 Eastern Ave. Arlington, MA 02476 Map

Cheering Station 2, 9:45am - 2:00pm YMCA Greater Boston Area North Suburban Family Branch 138 Lexington St.   Woburn, MA 01801 Map

Cheering Station 3, 11:00 - 5:00am  Parker Field Playground 81 Worthen Rd. Lexington, MA 02420 Map

Sunday June 25th

Cheering Station 1, 7:30 - 10:15am           Shaw's Supermarket 699 Mount Auburn St. Cambridge, MA 02138 Map

Cheering Station 2, 8:15am - 10:45am Cambridge City Hall 795 Massachusetts Ave.   Cambridge, MA 02139 Map

Cheering Station 3, 9:15am - 1:00pm  Boston Public Garden (between Paul Revere and Swan Boats) Commonwealth and Arlington Street Boston, MA 02127 Map

Public cheering stations are a great way to show your support along the route to encourage walkers and let them know that you are with them every step of the way. Seeing familiar faces cheering them on can provide that extra burst of energy that gets them to take that next step or go the next mile. Create banners, hold up signs, bring some music and make some noise - anything to make them smile, get energized and keep walking.

Cheering Stations, Atlanta 2007

Cheering Stations, Atlanta 2008

Closing Ceremonies

Sunday, July 25 at 5:00 p.m. 

University of Massachusetts
100 William T Morrissey Blvd. 
Dorchester, MA 02125
Map

Friends and family are highly encouraged to attend, though please note that seating will not be available, so if you are unable to stand for 30-60 minutes, you may want to bring a folding chair.

Public Transportation:
UMass Boston is located less than a mile from the MBTA’s JFK/UMass Station, which serves both the Red Line (subway) and the Old Colony Line (commuter rail). The university runs a regular, free shuttle bus service between the JFK/UMass stop and the campus. The trip normally takes less than ten minutes. Route 2 Bus runs Sunday 8:00 a.m. - 5:45 p.m. every 20 minutes.

Parking:
University of Massachusetts is located off of 1-93. Parking will be available, at no charge, on the University of Massachusetts Campus.

After three days and 60 miles, participants will take a final and incredibly emotional victory walk into the Closing Ceremony. Friends, family and supporters should arrive at the Closing Ceremony site at least one hour early to get the best view of the program. We encourage you to carpool or take public transportation. Not only is it better for the planet, but it will help lessen traffic congestion for everyone.

All walkers and crew members should remain in the Participant Holding Area where they will receive a victory shirt, cheer on fellow walkers and crew members and celebrate one last time together before their dramatic victory walk. The Participant Holding Area is CLOSED to spectators. If you wish to meet with a participant before the Ceremony begins, please have them meet you at the Closing Ceremony site. All participants must return to the Holding Area no later than 4:30 p.m. in order to join the victory walk.

Don't forget to continue the spirit of kindness we'll be building on the 3-Day for the Cure throughout and beyond the Closing Ceremony!

Closing Ceremonies, Atlanta 2007

Closing Ceremonies, Atlanta 2008

We hope that everyone will come out and see us in Boston.  This event is hard to truly capture in stories and photos.  It really is a moving experience to be a part of and we would love to share it with you.  This event is the culmination of months of commitment and hard work.  We can't wait to celebrate with all of you.  See you there!

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Send Me Mail on the Event!

One of the things that I look forward to the absolute most when I am on a 3 Day event is getting the mail.  I know what you're thinking - why on earth would we need to get our mail when we're only living in the 3 Day camp for 3 days?  Well, because it's a fun and easy way for our loved ones and supporters to send us some encouragement along the way even if they can't physically be with us during the 3 Day!

The 3 Day is a really tough event.  We will be walking the equivalent of two and a half marathons in just three days.  We're going to be sleeping in small tents, possibly in the cold or the rain.  We will be dealing with blisters, sun burns and swollen hands throughout our journey.  We're going to be showering in tractor trailers for crying out loud.  And at some point during the event, everyone hits a wall.  For me, it's usually the morning of Day 3.  It's cold and wet in the morning and my Day 1 endorphins have totally worn off.  I'm usually getting sore and having to haul my stuff back to the gear truck is usually the last thing I want to do at that point.  I'm usually annoyingly cheerful and energetic but truly, everyone hits that wall.

For almost everyone that takes on the challenge of the 3 Day, there is nothing more motivating than knowing that there are people out there rooting for us to succeed.  Seeing our loved ones amongst the sea of strangers at cheering stations provides an energy boost that you cannot imagine.  And hearing from our friends, family and even strangers that can't be there with us in person can be just as effective.  It is truly a highlight for me to read the encouraging words of my supporters when I get to the 3 Day camp after a long day of walking.

If you would like to send mail to me (or any other Boston 3 Day walker!), you can do so by addressing your letters and cards to:

3-Day for the Cure PO

Attn: Name of Participant

P.O. Box 8557

Warwick, RI 02888

Please note that this address is for the Boston walk only.  The mailing addresses for the other events will be released about eight weeks before each event.  Only envelopes will be delivered on event, so please, no packages.  

Finally, all mail for the Boston 3 Day must be post marked no later than July 13th to ensure delivery on the event.  Husbands and boyfriends, mark your calendars now, even if you will be at the event in person.  Your wives and girlfriends will love you for it - trust me!

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