Glen Cove Woman Set To Compete In 2021 Boston Marathon

GLEN COVE, NY — For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, runners will return to the start lines on Oct. 11 for the 2021 Boston Marathon.

Among the 20,000 participants set to compete this year, one hails from Glen Cove:

• Stephanie Hoffman, 48

Her grit and stamina will be tested as she navigates the 26-mile course — which starts in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, and ends on Boylston Street in Boston.

Entrants in the 125th Boston Marathon must either provide proof of vaccination or produce a negative COVID-19 test in order to compete in the race this fall. Masks will not be required while running but will be enforced on participant transportation, in medical tents along the course, and in all indoor spaces (since Boston has an indoor mask mandate).

It will be the first time in 910 days that the famed race will be run. The 2020 Boston Marathon was initially postponed from its traditional Patriots Day date to Sept. 14 due to the still-emerging COVID-19 pandemic. The September date proved far too optimistic, and in May the race was canceled for the first time since it started in 1897.

The Boston Marathon is expected to return to Patriots Day runnings beginning in 2022, marathon officials said.