Boston Marathon Expo 2018: At The Seaport, Not Hynes

BOSTON, MA — One of the biggest difference in this year's marathon prep is that the annual expo is in a new spot - rather than steps from the finish line, it's a couple miles.

Each year runners storm the city and spend a lot of time in the Back Bay wandering around near the finish line, hitting the sites and then scooting over to Hynes Convention Center. That's where marathon runners head to a pre-race bonanza of sites and sounds - and pick up their race packets and bibs complete with timing chip.

This year, they've got to make their way to the Seaport to find their race packets and tour the event that is almost as much a tradition as the daffodils springing up along Comm Ave.

Though mostly geared toward participants, you don't have to be running in the Monday marathon to enjoy the Expo which is like a runner's Time Square with vendors selling everything from slightly discounted running shoes to infinity pools to folks from nearby towns hoping to recruit runners to sign up for their upcoming races, too. It draws about 100,000 people, according to officials.

This year the Expo is located a bit over 2 miles away from the finish line or 2. 6 from Hynes at the John Hancock Sports and Fitness Expo (Seaport World Trade Center - 200 Seaport Blvd).

But why?

It was booked. Nope. No one got in trouble for messing up: The agency who runs the booking of the convention centers only lets people or businesses or organizations book a few months in advance. And the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association apparently got to it first, as it is holding their annual meeting this year at the Hynes Convention Center until Saturday.

How to get there?

Officials are recommending folks take a ride share and point out ride share drop off spots near the center.

Or if you take public transit, make your way to South Station and take the Silver Line tram 8 minutes and get off at the World Trade Center.

Here's where it is compared with the Hynes Convention Center:

But back to the Expo. It will be open (at the World Trade Center):

• Friday, April 13, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Saturday, April 14, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Sunday, April 15, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

There's also a plethora of talks and events throughout the three-day expo. Here's what's happening as posted on the BAA website:

SATURDAY, APRIL 14 - WATERFRONT BALLROOM

Reflections & Advice from Boston Marathon Champions
10:00 - 10:45 a.m.
Reflections from Past Champions - Class of 1968
11:00 - 11:45 a.m.
Pushing Boundaries: Insight from an Elite Runner on What it Takes to Succeed
12:00 - 12:45 p.m.
Boston Marathon Race Management Team: Course Preview and Q&A
1:00 - 1:45 p.m.
History of the Women's Marathon
2:00 - 2:45 p.m.
Rising Above Hardships: aka R.A.H.
3:00 - 3:45 p.m.
Balance, Mindfulness, and How to Inspire Your Running
4:00 - 4:45 p.m.
How Top Women Runners Stay Competitive For a Lifetime
5:00 - 5:45 p.m.

SUNDAY, APRIL 15 - WATERFRONT BALLROOM

How to Run Your Best Boston Marathon
10:00 - 10:45 a.m.
Five Great New Running Books: Meet the Authors
11:00 - 11:45 a.m.
Reflections & Advice from Past Champions
12:00 - 12:45 p.m.
Yes You Can! Inspiration with Team Hoyt
1:00 - 1:45 p.m.
Dick & Rick Hoyt share their inspiring tales of running Boston and competing around the world.
Over 50 Years of Running With Kathrine Switzer
2:00 - 2:45 p.m.
Abbott World Marathon Majors: What It Means For the Sport and for Runners
3:00 - 3:45 p.m.
Boston Marathon Race Management Team: Course Preview and Q&A
4:30 - 5:15 p.m.

Boston Patch Coverage of The Marathon

• Boston Marathon 2018: Start Times, What's Qualifying Time Everything To Know
• Boston Marathon Security: What Not To Bring
• When To Watch In Brookline
• Low Flying Helicopters?
• Boston Marathon 2018: How To Track A Runner
• Where To Eat In Brookline On Marathon Monday 2018

Photos by Jenna Fisher/Patch