Boston Marathon Runners Must Get Vaxxed Or COVID Tested: Patch PM

MASSACHUSETTS — It's Thursday, Sept. 2. Here's what you should know this afternoon:

• The Boston Athletic Association is telling runners in the 125th Boston Marathon they must either show vaccination proof or test negative for the coronavirus to participate in the Oct. 11 race.
• Remnants of Hurricane Ida wreaked havoc on the Northeast with rising floodwaters along the Blackstone River, Amtrak service canceled from Boston to Washington D.C. and a fleet of Waltham school buses taking a bath.
• The Salem State University campus is being named in memory of its first woman president and a daughter of Salem.
• Milwaukee Bucks guard Pat Connaughton brings the NBA championship trophy home to show it off in Arlington.
• A Tewksbury teen is collecting signatures to push the school committee to reconsider the district's mask mandate.

Scroll down for more on those and other stories Patch has been covering in Massachusetts today.

Today's Top Story

The Boston Athletic Association said Thursday that all runners in the 125th race will need to either provide proof of vaccination or test negative for the coronavirus to participate in the Oct. 11 race.

The BAA said it strongly recommended all entrants, staff and volunteers are vaccinated.

Masks will not be required while running the 26.2-mile course but mask-wearing will be enforced on participant transportation and in other areas in accordance with local guidelines.

For runners who are not vaccinated, the Marathon will offer COVID-19 tests in tents set up near the race so every runner can produce a negative test on-site.

Read the full story here.

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Today's Other Top Stories

Watching floodwaters rise in Worcester County: According to the National Weather Service, the Blackstone River was at about 5-1/2 feet at 1:30 a.m. Thursday, and was projected to rise to nearly 13 feet by Thursday afternoon. Flood stage in the Northbridge area is 9 feet.

Amtrak cancels service from D.C. to Boston: Amtrak canceled all service Thursday between Boston and Washington, D.C. after severe weather continues to threaten the Northeast. Record-breaking rains from Hurricane Ida caused extensive train delays throughout New York City, Massachusetts, Washington, D.C., and other areas throughout the Northeast.

Tewksbury teen petitions to end school mask mandate: A Tewksbury teenager has garnered nearly 300 signatures, plus media attention, for a petition to end the district's mask mandate. The petition, launched by Maximus Mattuchio a week ago, has 293 signatures as of Wednesday evening.

NBA champion brings trophy home to Arlington: Newly minted NBA champion Pat Connaughton returned to his hometown of Arlington with some impressive hardware. Connaughton brought the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy to the Fidelity House, where he signed autographs and mingled with fans.

Picture This

Waltham school bus fleet up to its headlights in water: Flooding left several school buses underwater in Waltham Thursday morning as remnants of Hurricane Ida raced across the state. Police urged residents to be patient amidst the delays.