I sat down with Jack Fleming, CEO and President of the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A), for The Future of Running podcast. Jack is more than a steward of the world’s oldest annual marathon – he’s a leader helping to shape the next century of running.
Our conversation spanned everything from legacy and inclusivity to the unscripted magic of Boylston Street. What emerged was a vision for Boston – and our entire sport – built on effort, meaning, and community.
Here are 10 lessons from our conversation.
- “Running is the best way to discover a place – and yourself.”
Jack reflected on a run we shared through San Diego: “It’s such a fun way to drop into a city and not know it at all before... you make a left here, a right there – it’s discovery.”
For Jack, running is a universal passport. Whether it’s San Diego, Boston, or Boulder, he believes exploring on foot gives runners a connection that no tour bus ever could.
- “We’re not just giving medals—we’re honoring effort.”
The Boston unicorn isn’t just for the fastest. “It’s not about performance,” Jack said. “It’s about rewarding effort.”
He spoke passionately about the last finishers – the ones crossing at 5:30pm – who worked just as hard, if not harder, than the elites. “They have Boylston Street to themselves,” Jack said. “And the crowd is cheering for them. Not just for who they are. For what they did.”
- “We’re building something generational.”
Jack’s vision for Boston in 2097? More people—not just thousands more each year, but across time.
“There are 10-year-olds out here in San Diego who will run the Boston Marathon in 15 years. And we want it to still be meaningful when they do.”
The B.A.A.’s focus is on creating lasting pathways – from 5Ks to half marathons to full marathons – that build community and keep the legacy alive.
- “The finish line isn’t the end – it’s a beginning.”
Jack described the growing phenomenon of runners returning to the Boston finish line at day’s end – lining Boylston Street to cheer the final finishers.
“It was organic. Runners who had already finished came back out... It was very loud. Very emotional. Very real.”
For Jack, that spontaneous moment captures the future of running: shared celebration, not just split times.
- “Charity running isn’t about obligation. It’s about intention.”
“We are due for another growth era in charity,” Jack said. “Not because people have to – but because they want to.”
In his view, the next generation of runners – especially women aged 20–29 – is redefining what purpose looks like in racing. “It’s not ‘I’m running Boston.’ It’s ‘I’m running Boston – and I’m running for something.’”
- “Inclusion isn’t a trend. It’s an imperative.”
The B.A.A. has launched para divisions, adaptive programs, and athlete classification systems inspired by the Olympic and Paralympic models.
But Jack knows there’s more to do: “It’s not just about registering people. It’s about building a team and an ecosystem that understands, supports, and celebrates every runner.”
- “The 10K is poised for a comeback.”
You heard it here first: Jack’s hot take is that the 10K distance is due for a revival.
“It’s not a 5K. It’s more of a challenge. It hooks you.” Growing up in New Orleans, Jack saw firsthand how iconic the distance could be – and believes it’s perfectly positioned for a new generation of runners.
- “You have to see it to build it.”
Jack offered advice for newer races like the Phoenix Marathon: “There’s no substitute for a site visit.”
Whether assessing a staging area or understanding a neighborhood, his team’s approach is simple: Go there. Walk it. Feel it. Only then can you build something real.
- “We’re all part of the same running family.”
Despite Boston’s legacy, Jack sees no hierarchy – only shared purpose.
“When someone is putting on a new event in Phoenix or Boulder or Dallas… they’re not doing it for themselves. They’re building something for their community. And that matters.”
- “We’re at a moment. Let’s not waste it.”
Jack ended with urgency: “We’re at an all-time level of popularity. But we can’t rest on that.”
He believes running is a force multiplier – improving individual health, community connection, and civic identity. “This moment could define the next 100 years of our sport. Let’s build it right.”
Bonus: The Future of Running Is Built on Effort
Jack Fleming isn’t just protecting a legacy. He’s building the next chapter—with humility, hope, and the belief that every runner, no matter their pace, belongs on Boylston Street.
His biggest lesson?
“Purpose matters. But so does effort. And our job is to celebrate both.”
Listen to the full episode of The Future of Running featuring Jack Fleming wherever you get your podcasts.
The Future of Running is brought to you by Laurel – the AI-powered race platform redefining timing, tracking, and race experiences. Learn more at timing.brooksee.com.
