On Tuesday, the Boston Athletic Affiliation (B.A.A.) introduced that future NFL Corridor of Fame tight finish and New England Patriots icon Rob “Gronk” Gronkowski will function Grand Marshal for the 128th Boston Marathon on April 15.
The @BAA is happy to announce @RobGronkowski would be the #Boston128 Grand Marshal and is the recipient of the 2024 Patriots’ Award. This award is offered to an individual or group who’s patriotic, philanthropic, and inspirational, and fosters goodwill and sportsmanship. pic.twitter.com/LNVwWAtvh1
— Boston Marathon (@bostonmarathon) March 12, 2024
The four-time Tremendous Bowl champion will kick off the race with a speech in Hopkinton earlier than the 30,000+ entrants from 122 international locations make the 42.2 km journey to Boylston Avenue. Gronkowski will journey within the lead car and can attain the end shortly earlier than race champions break the end tape.
Identified for his spectacular athletic achievements with Tom Brady on the soccer subject, Gronk’s affect in New England and Massachusetts extends far past soccer. Alongside together with his household, Gronk based the Gronk Nation Youth Basis, which is devoted to inspiring youth to succeed in their potential by way of sports activities, schooling, neighborhood and health. The muse is at present establishing a “Gronk Playground” on the Charles River Esplanade in Boston’s Again Bay space.
“Giving again has all the time been a precedence in my life. After I first received to New England, Mr. Kraft and the Patriots Basis ingrained within the group the significance of giving again to the neighborhood that offers again to us,” Gronkowski stated in a press launch. “It’s time for me to offer again to assist set others up for their very own journey.”
Former NHLer Zdeno Chara runs 3:16 marathon to qualify for Boston
The Boston Marathon attracts round 500,000 spectators on the 42.2 km route yearly, which must be buzzing for Gronkowski’s presence. Throughout his NFL profession, he was identified for his humorous, outgoing and larger-than-life persona, so we’re certain he’ll carry that power to the marathon.
Gronkowski received’t be the one Boston sporting legend at this yr’s race—former Bruins hockey captain Zdeno Chara will likely be taking over his second Boston Marathon, after operating 3:38:23 ultimately yr’s race. Chara has improved his marathon time fairly a bit during the last 12 months, decreasing his private finest to three:10:24 on the 2024 Houston Marathon, a Boston-qualifying time for his age group.
