395: Inside the Boston Marathon & Boston Athletic Association: History, Community & The Future with B.A.A. With President & CEO Jack Fleming

Today, I’m joined by Jack Fleming, President and CEO of the Boston Athletic Association, an organization at the heart of one of the most prestigious and historic races in the world—the Boston Marathon. Jack has been with the B.A.A. for over three decades, giving him a front-row seat to the evolution of the marathon, the running community, and the sport as a whole. In this conversation, we dive into Jack’s personal running journey, his deep connection to the B.A.A., and the impact of major marathons on communities. We explore the growth of running culture, the importance of volunteers, and the B.A.A.’s work beyond the marathon, including local events that foster fitness and inclusion. Jack also shares insights into the behind-the-scenes logistics of organizing the Boston Marathon, how the race has evolved over its 129-year history, and what the future holds for both the event and the broader running community. If you love running, history, or want an inside look at what makes the Boston Marathon so special, this episode is for you. Chapters 0:00: Intro 5:39: Personal Running Journey & Goals 17:41: The Evolution Of The B.A.A. and Its Community Impact 26:51: Beyond The Marathon: B.A.A.'S  Other Events 33:00: Empowering Through Community & Fitness 39:35: The Heart of the B.A.A.: Stories and connection 43:46: The Running Community Experience 49:13: The Boston Marathon’s Unique Challenges 54:28: Logistics Behind The Boston Marathon 1:00: Celebrating Milestones & New Faces in 2025 1:02:49 The Impact of Charity In The Boston Marathon 107:33 The Role of Partnerships At B.A.A & The Boston Marathon 1:10:55 The Rich History Of The Boston Marathon 1:16:06 Fostering Diversity and Inclusion in Running CONNECT Boston Athletic Association on Instagram Marni On The Move Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, or YouTube` Marni Salup on Instagram and Playlist on Spotify SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER Sign up for our monthly newsletter, Do What Moves You, for Marni on the Move updates, exclusive offers, invites to events, and exciting news! SUPPORT THE PODCAST Leave us a five star review on Apple or Spotify Subscribe to MarniOnTheMovePodcast, YouTube Channel Tell your friends the episodes you are listening to on your social. Share a screen shot of the episode in your stories, tag us, we will tag you back! Subscribe, like and comment on our YouTube Channel, MarniOnTheMovePodcast