AIDS Walk Boston

This event is awesome.
I’ve walked the 6+ mile route in past years and this year, I ran the 3.1 mile route.
The cause is very close to my heart so I’m honored to participate & fundraise. (I have a good friend who was born HIV+. I walk/​run in her honor.)
As others have mentioned, there are thousands of people who attend the walk/​run. It’s an amazingly positive experience.
After some fun warm ups during opening ceremonies — the runners take off down Storrow Drive. It was pretty cool to have that road closed and run on it. Then, the running route heads down some paved paths next to the Charles River. Before you know it, you’re back at the Hatchshell.
Post run & walk — there’s an amazing «Wellness Festival» sponsored by Whole Foods. I got a hot dog from Applegate, sorbetto from Gelato Fiasco, and enough free samples of popcorn and other various delicious snacks to last us at least a week! (I had Fit popcorn from Popcorn Indiana & Angie’s Boom Chicka-​Pop popcorn as snacks this week and they were tasty.)
I highly recommend joining this event as a walker or runner. You will be overwhelmed with how fun event day is, and the supportive volunteers!
Thank you to everyone who supports AIDS Action and makes race/​walk day so wonderful!

There’s a lot of feel-​goodery that transpires at your charity walk: the camaraderie, the awesome feeling of accomplishment that swells the heart with other people’s donations, the free samples of anything from chocolate covered peanut butter cookies to flavored creamer to condoms.
Let’s get it started.
A few thousand people gather to walk six miles or run three, and this year, I opted for the latter. The staff and volunteers are so genuinely supportive that I guarantee, at least once, you’ll think someone’s coming in for a hug. They’re not, but you’ll swear they are.
The event is large, but for the most part, there’s not a lout going down at home base. A few speakers peppered the crowd with commentary about how much HIV/​AIDS suck (preach!), and there were samples from the aforementioned-​plus-​a-​handful-​of-​others at the billed Wellness Festival. For activities, plan on spending a bulk of your time walking.
Or running, like us.
The course is paved and pleasant, sending us down the scorching asphalt of Storrow to swing back along the Esplanade’s waterfront. Relaxing, scenic and the staggering of the runners by time made for practically zero congestion along the way. Only one water stop and tucked away progress markers might spurn the hardcore, but it’s a charity run by criminy. Felt that way, until we hit the finish and were corralled into Athleta rows for micro-​accurate race times.
Raise, run and roll around if your now-​endless supply of disposable toothbrushes, half-​eaten Boloco and Hint water you snagged from the freebie tent. It’s a Sunday well spent.

A stroll through Boston, fund raising for a great cause? I’m in. I do have to say that I was slightly disappointed with the operations of the walk, though. We were at the end of the pack for the walk, and there really was not that much volunteer/​walk support as we brought up the tail. The volunteers were puttered out, sometimes lone volunteers stood at their post, already tired out. One volunteer left her popsicle giving post to chat with cops, and we weren’t given any.
As we continued on our walk, police officers zoomed ahead, shooed us to the sidewalk, and removed barricades from in front of us to let traffic through. There were a few street crossing areas where it was dicey. There were definitely other groups behind us with strollers, etc. There should have been a longer window before all street support was called off.
The festivities at the end were nice, snack offerings were plentiful, and entertainment gave us something to watch. Had there been more volunteer support and a longer window in which we were able to follow the designated walk course safely, I would have been much happier.

I volunteered for the AIDS Walk/​Run the first weekend of June and it was a lot of fun. My usual volunteer crew opted out this year so it was just me, but I’m kind of glad because it forced me to chat with some random people. :)
Well. first off. the girl at the volunteer tent seemed slightly confused/​overwhelmed and I’m pretty sure I got the wrong shirt, but whatever. it says ‘Staff’. haha She also failed to inform me that there were packed lunches (sandwiches/​cookie/​chips). Lucky for me, the people I ended up volunteering with were sharing folk. :) I’ll definitely remember to ask about food next year, though (they also provided vegetarian lunches). heh There was a lot of waiting around before we headed over to our volunteer post (water) past the Museum of Science and even when we got there we had some more time to kill before we poured the water (too early = hot buggy water). I think it ended up being almost 2 hours between our «call» time and when we actually started pouring water. Understandable considering: 1) We needed time to get to the post. 2) We had to be early enough so we wouldn’t get in the walkers/​runners way. 3) We had to make sure we had everyone from our post otherwise they’d get lost.
The downtime ended up being really fun though. People at my water station were from all over the world so we got to chat about a lot (including one girl from Kazikstan who hated Borat and a guy from Mexico whose favorite American phrase was «No you didn’t!!!» complete with neck and hand movements). And I will say that this is one of the more organized posts I’ve worked on. We had to pour bottled water into cups and they left us with: trash bags. 3 bins for the runners to throw their cups into along with liners. and posterboard so we could make two levels of water (genius!!!). Once we heard the last runner had come by, we were told to pack it up but a few of the slower runners that the pace person must have missed were still coming by, so we kind of defied orders and gave them water. heh A water person’s job is never done! :)
NOTE: Cracking jokes does not help runners drinking water. If anything, cheer them on and they’ll be thankful.
The walk/​run also had some pretty nifty sponsors. I got a Gap volunteer shirt (LOVE the no tags and it was very soft) and free iced coffee card for every Wednesday in June and July!
Oh! And there was also an «accidental» water fight. haha I’ll definitely be back next year!

Get some friends together and come out for AIDS Walk!
No, seriously! I participated in this event for the first time last year (raised about $ 500, which isn’t even that awesome compared to some other folks)… the walk was the day after a huge BBQ party so I was hungover and had no voice when I showed up to walk in the morning on Sunday… and IT WAS STILL FUN, not to mention for a great cause!
The group who puts this walk together does a decent job, too. It was easy to raise donations — all you have to do is set up a web page and do some friendly spamming :) And the more the merrier, bring friends! The walking route is okay — a lot of it is a long the Charles so its fairly scenic. I love the strategically placed volunteers cheering the walkers on, too… way to set the mood guys!
You’ll definitely find me there again in a few weekends (June 1), hopefully in good company.

Such a great event! A fun day for a great cause… can’t beat that. I totally agree with the Phoenix when they say that it is the Best of Boston for being saintly (but not sanctimonious)
.
Check it out and head to the AIDS Walk site to form a team — the best way to go!
See you on June 1^st!

AIDS Walk Boston is a community fundraising event that takes place on the first Sunday of June each year. 100% of the proceeds of this event go to benefit the programs and services of AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts. (
) AIDS Action’s mission is to stop the HIV/​AIDS epidemic by preventing new infections and optimizing the health of those already living with this disease.
You can help AAC achieve their mission by walking, running (yes, there is a run, too!), or volunteering for AIDS Walk Boston! Sunday, June 1^st, 2008 will mark the 23^rd annual AIDS Walk Boston. Each year, approximately 15,000 community members «from all walks of life» come out to show their support, raise awareness, and honor and remember those we have lost. Plus, it’s a fun way to spend a spring day with your family and friends!
The Walk route is a scenic 10K (6.2 mile) route through Boston, Brookline, and Cambridge. Afterward, you’ll be treated to free food, information booths, and live enterainment as part of the post-​Walk Wellness Festival. What’s not to love?
Okay, so now that you have all the basic information, I should mention that I work for AIDS Action Committee, specifically on the Walk. Being behind the scenes on this event has only made me more passionate about the cause. The services we are providing are bettering the lives of people every day, and would not be possible without the funds raised by the Walk. 26 years after AIDS was first «discovered» we still do not have a cure– but AIDS is preventable! I continue to walk and support this event out of the hope that someday, we will no longer have to.
Need more incentives?
Raise $ 100 and get an AIDS Walk Boston «green» tote bag
Raise $ 300 and get an AIDS Walk 2008 t-​shirt
Raise $ 1,000 and get a hooded rain jacket and become a member of the Extra Mile Club.
Unilocal team, anyone? You can register online at
or call the Walk line at 617−424-WALK.
Now let’s all cross our fingers for a beautiful, sunny day on June 1^st!