I grew up “just outside of Boston.” The Boston Marathon is highly revered in Massachusetts and it is arguably the most prestigious road race on earth. Runners from all over the world have trained countless hours to either qualify on their own, or run on charity teams, raising money for many incredible causes to help make this world a better place.

For those who do not know, I am a charity coordinator for one of those charities. For years, I’ve watched runners, who wouldn’t normally be able to run Boston because of the intense time qualifications, live out their dreams of running the Boston Marathon, while raising funds for very important causes- hospitals, education, social services- they are motivated to run and finish the race for those who have supported their cause and for the very lives who benefit from their funds raised.

I am so thrilled to be able to call this my profession, and every year I look forward to cheering on my runners during Marathon Monday. Will I run someday? I hope so! But in the meantime, I love seeing the look of sheer joy on their faces as they come to me at the finish line wrapped in their mylar blankets sporting their shiny, new medal.

If you are planning on running the Boston Marathon on April 17, congratulations! Are you from out of town staying for the weekend and have no idea what to do while you visit? Here are my top 10 things to do while you’re here! For those of you who aren’t participating but are curious about what a Boston Marathon weekend looks like, keep reading!