The 130th Boston Marathon represents more than a milestone; it continues a storied tradition that has united athletes and communities for well over a century. Each Patriots’ Day, Hopkinton stands at the heart of that tradition, where months of preparation and generations of civic pride culminate in a single, unforgettable moment at the start line.
This year, the Hopkinton Marathon Committee (HMC) has selected a distinguished group of local public servants to serve as starters for Waves Three through Six. The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) has extended this honor to the HMC annually since 2006.
The 2026 starters collectively represent decades of service and dedication to the Hopkinton community:
Gary Daugherty, Hopkinton Fire Chief / Emergency Management Director (Wave 3)
Eric Carty, Hopkinton Water-Sewer Manager, retired after 40 years of service (Wave 4)
Carol Cavanaugh, Superintendent of Hopkinton Public Schools, recently retired after 9 years of service (Wave 5)
The family of Henry Arthur “Artie” Pyne, honoring his 45 years of service as a volunteer firefighter and special police detail officer (Wave 6)
“Just wait until you experience the Marathon,” Carol Cavanaugh recalls being told shortly after arriving in Hopkinton, ahead of her first Patriots’ Day. Like so many in the community, she quickly came to understand that the Marathon is more than a race—it is a defining moment of shared pride, energy, and connection.
“I’m looking forward to another safe and exciting Marathon Day and to simply being part of the race,” said Fire Chief Gary Daugherty. In addition to his role as Fire Chief, Daugherty serves as the Emergency Management Director, where his leadership in establishing, coordinating, and refining the complex safety and emergency operations plan is critical to Marathon Day’s success. This plan supports more than 30,000 runners, 1,000 Hopkinton volunteers, and countless spectators. Through close collaboration with high-level first responders and emergency personnel from across the state, Daugherty’s leadership remains exemplary, and the execution of his cohesive logistical strategy is essential to the successful start of the Boston Marathon.
For Daugherty, the Marathon’s significance has deepened over more than two decades of involvement. “The Marathon has always been more than just a race to me,” he said. “Through all the changes I’ve seen, the excitement and determination at each start line never changes. Personally, it’s inspiring to know that the event brings people from all over the world for a shared purpose. Professionally, it has also connected me with so many talented and dedicated individuals working toward a common goal.”
The 130th running marks a historic milestone for the world’s oldest annual marathon, first held in 1897. As the starting point of this iconic race, Hopkinton plays a unique and essential role in launching thousands of athletes on their 26.2-mile journey to Boston. Yet in Hopkinton, the day is equally about community.
Eric Carty reflects on that sense of community through a lifetime of Marathon memories. “Being a kid and going up to the start every year was something I always looked forward to. We’d walk or ride our bikes with our neighbors and enjoy all the vendors at the Common and the crowds from all over the world! I have been part of Marathon Day my entire life—both as a spectator, and as a part of my job.”
Reflecting on what it means for him and his family to represent the community as a wave starter, Carty adds, “It is a true, humbling honor to be recognized for my 40 years of service to the Town and to be able to have my family there with me.”
During her tenure as Superintendent, Cavanaugh experienced the Marathon from many vantage points—through school-based celebrations, community events, and what she describes as “the electric anticipation at the start line.” She recalls Kenya Day at Elmwood School as being “a true celebration of culture, connection, and commitment to human endurance.”
One of her fondest Marathon memories was meeting Bobbi Gibb. “I knew I was in the company of a resolved woman who broke the rules, carving out courses for women to run in every field of study, in every workplace, in every athletic contest, it has stayed with me, as does my indebtedness to Bobbi Gibb and the women like her who have changed history.”
This year’s Marathon will also serve as a moment of remembrance. Henry Arthur “Artie” Pyne, who recently passed away, will be honored at the start for his 45 years of service as a volunteer firefighter and his continued dedication as a special police detail officer.
In a powerful reflection of that legacy, his son, Jeff Pyne—who has dedicated more than 20 years of service to the Town himself—will fire the starter’s pistol, joined by family members on the platform. Together, the moment honors not only Artie Pyne’s lifelong commitment, but also a family tradition of service to Hopkinton.
When firing the starter’s pistol, Jeff said, “I’ll be thinking of my dad. He served the community as a volunteer firefighter for 45 years and continued his dedication as a detail officer, including working the Marathon for many years after his retirement. As a family, we always looked forward to seeing him at the corner of Main and Grove Street. Honoring him in this moment will mean everything to us.”
Vitality, dedication, pride, connection, and purpose—these are just some of the words this year’s starters use to describe the Boston Marathon. While these qualities define the thousands of runners who take on the course, they also reflect the spirit of the volunteers, spectators, town departments, and community members who bring the event to life each year.
“Just wait until you experience the Marathon.” In Hopkinton, that promise endures—because, just as the sign says, It All Starts Here.
Dorothy Ferriter-Wallace
Chair
Hopkinton Marathon Committee
marathonchair@hopkintonma.gov