2021 IN-PERSON EVENT CANCELED, offering virtual option. *** The B.A.A. Half Marathon, presented by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund, highlights the beauty of Boston and Brookline’s Emerald Necklace park system while furthering the Boston Athletic Association’s mission of promoting health and fitness. The 13.1-mile, out and back, rolling …
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2021 IN-PERSON EVENT CANCELED, offering virtual option.
***
The B.A.A. Half Marathon, presented by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund, highlights the beauty of Boston and Brookline’s Emerald Necklace park system while furthering the Boston Athletic Association’s mission of promoting health and fitness. The 13.1-mile, out and back, rolling course, begins and ends at White Stadium in Boston’s Franklin Park. The park, one of the oldest in America, is located in Boston’s Jamaica Plain and Dorchester neighborhoods.
The half marathon is organized by the B.A.A., which is best known for its Boston Marathon, and the race is the final event during the calendar year for the B.A.A. Distance Medley: a three-race series which combines the B.A.A. 5K in April, the B.A.A. 10K in June, and the B.A.A. Half Marathon on the Sunday of Columbus Day weekend in October. The inaugural B.A.A. Half Marathon was in 2001, and the field size is limited. Since the race’s inception, the B.A.A. Half Marathon has grown in popularity and now reaches its maximum field size as soon as registration opens.
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Great for First-Timers
A rolling course with plenty to see. Production is great! Pre race is organized. Busses from parking areas around Boston bring you to the start. Lots of bathrooms. Lots of … MORE
A rolling course with plenty to see. Production is great! Pre race is organized. Busses from parking areas around Boston bring you to the start. Lots of bathrooms. Lots of lines for the bathrooms. For a half marathon, the post-race food and nourishment is amazing! Would expect this at the end of a marathon.
Hilly and Not Exciting!
I ran this in 2016 as part of the BAA Distance Medley. In terms of the course, this was by far my least favorite. The course is boring and doesn't … MORE
I ran this in 2016 as part of the BAA Distance Medley. In terms of the course, this was by far my least favorite. The course is boring and doesn’t showcase the best of Boston neighborhoods (being a Boston native I can attest to this). While weather is unpredictable, I ran this is in the pouring rain and being hilly it wasn’t the best experience. Swag and post race were good as always.
My recommendation: Change up the course a bit.
Swag and post race were good as always.
This is a very crowded race!
The best part of this race was the lead up -- meaning the B.A.A. offered great tips on training, plans, info sessions, lots of good comms. The worst part of … MORE
The best part of this race was the lead up — meaning the B.A.A. offered great tips on training, plans, info sessions, lots of good comms. The worst part of this race was getting there. Taking the T is not convenient, even if you leave near a T station (b/c the start isn’t exactly close to the orange line). Shuttling to and from the parking garage at the convention center took a ton of time, too. Because it’s in the park and at the zoo, friends and family can’t watch you, either. The after-race B.A.A. festivities were very good, which is important because there’s absolutely no where to grab a bite or get brunch in the immediate area. Honestly, I skipped it this year and I don’t plan on doing it again anytime soon… but I am glad I checked this box and did it once.
Beautiful course
All the BAA races are well run, this one included. The course is along the Emerald Necklace staying mostly in tree lined streets. Mile 12 goes through the Franklin Park … MORE
All the BAA races are well run, this one included. The course is along the Emerald Necklace staying mostly in tree lined streets. Mile 12 goes through the Franklin Park Zoo, that is cool. There is an out and back from mile 9 to mile 11 that is boring, but needed to get the right distance. After that boring stretch, there is a pretty good hill that will also get your attention. Those are the only two negatives of the course. A run through the zoo and finish on the track in Franklin Park makes it all worthwhile though. Overall, a well run half. Sells out in minutes, so you must be Johnny on the spot to register.
BAA Half Marathon 2012
The BAA knows how to manage a race. This race is based out of the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston which is near the end of the Orange Line, so … MORE
The BAA knows how to manage a race. This race is based out of the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston which is near the end of the Orange Line, so very convenient and easy to get to.
The start of the race can be congested. If you plan to go for a PR be sure to line up early and near the front.
Also, the grass will be wet from dew so you may want to change into your running shoes and socks just before you line up.
The course is not flat but there are no significant hills either. While Boston may not seem like a scenic location, this race goes through some very scenic parts of Boston.
Crowd support is pretty good and the BAA has plenty of water stops.
This race is part of the BAA Distance Medley, which I ran in 2012. I’ll never forget seeing the winners of the Distance Medley receive their $100K checks!
All runners get a nice shirt and medal, if you run The Medley you get a medal for that as well.