In 2009, the first annual B.A.A. 5K was held a day prior to the Boston Marathon, giving runners a chance to kick off Boston Marathon weekend in grand style. Beginning in Copley Square and taking participants through Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood, more than 3,500 athletes raced their way to the …
MORE
In 2009, the first annual B.A.A. 5K was held a day prior to the Boston Marathon, giving runners a chance to kick off Boston Marathon weekend in grand style. Beginning in Copley Square and taking participants through Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood, more than 3,500 athletes raced their way to the Boston Marathon finish line on Boylston Street, where the raced finished. In the years since, the B.A.A. 5K has been a memorable highlight of Boston Marathon weekend, getting people into the running spirit before Marathon Monday.
With more and more people wanting to take part in the B.A.A. 5K, the race moved its start and finish from Boylston Street to Charles Street adjacent to Boston Common and the Boston Public Garden in 2014, accommodating a field size of 10,000. The B.A.A. 5K serves as the first race of the B.A.A. Distance Medley, a three race series that also includes June’s B.A.A. 10K and October’s B.A.A. Half Marathon. Many of the world’s fastest runners participate in the B.A.A. Distance Medley each year.
LESS
Great atmosphere
I loved this race. Everything went well, plenty of volunteers and 10,000 racers!! Wow! Lots of support on the course! Would definitely recommend this race to anyone!! MORE
I loved this race. Everything went well, plenty of volunteers and 10,000 racers!! Wow! Lots of support on the course! Would definitely recommend this race to anyone!!
Great shakeout for the Marathon
Well organized as usual, nice t-shirt, improved medal this year. Tons of port-o-potties to use before hand. A mix of fun run folks, serious runners and folks using this as … MORE
Well organized as usual, nice t-shirt, improved medal this year. Tons of port-o-potties to use before hand. A mix of fun run folks, serious runners and folks using this as a Shakeout for Boston (like me). Highly recommended – sign up for the Distance Medley and you get access to a tent with coffee, food, water and gatorade before and after.
The hype and history is amazing
I loved the opening at the park!!!! Boston was a perfect spring day and the daffodils amazing. Opening of the swan ride as well! I was thrilled to walk to … MORE
I loved the opening at the park!!!! Boston was a perfect spring day and the daffodils amazing. Opening of the swan ride as well! I was thrilled to walk to the start and see all the historical spots on the way. Very well organized and efficient.
The energy!
This race is all about the energy--it's always a couple days before the marathon and a lot of those runners use it as a shakeout, so you've got runners from … MORE
This race is all about the energy–it’s always a couple days before the marathon and a lot of those runners use it as a shakeout, so you’ve got runners from all over the world.
There are two things I wish were better: first, I last ran this in 2010 and I miss the old course that looped around by the State House and ended on the marathon finish line. I was also underwhelmed by the photos from this year. Weird placement and angles, and very overpriced.
As Close to Boston as I'll Get!
I know I'll never run the Boston Marathon, but at least I can say I've "run Boston". If you're in the same boat then, this race is for you. You … MORE
I know I’ll never run the Boston Marathon, but at least I can say I’ve “run Boston”. If you’re in the same boat then, this race is for you.
You get to start off in Boston Common with 10,000 of your fellow runners (it’s a great way to stay warm). Then you head out Commonwealth and through Boston’s beautiful Back Bay neighborhood. You make the iconic “Right on Hereford, Left on Boylston” and go through the finish line of the marathon then back to the Common. What more could you want for the privilege of not having to run all 26.2 of the marathon????
The swag was great – a unisex tech tee (this year was bright yellow, which is unfortunate, but…), a nice B.A.A. medal and a good little snack bag. But then who thought that the B.A.A. would put together a bad race?
I’d be willing to do it every year if it weren’t all the way on the other side of the country!
An amazing course to run on.
If you want to turn right on Hereford and left on Boyleston without running 25 1/2 miles to get there, this race is for you. It crosses the Marathon finish … MORE
If you want to turn right on Hereford and left on Boyleston without running 25 1/2 miles to get there, this race is for you. It crosses the Marathon finish about a half mile from the 5k finish which is at Boston Commons. Amazing race, very well run.
Great race on Marathon weekend
If you want to know what it feels like to turn right on Hereford, left on Boylston without running 26 miles to get there, this is the race. It's held … MORE
If you want to know what it feels like to turn right on Hereford, left on Boylston without running 26 miles to get there, this is the race. It’s held on Marathon weekend. Starts at Boston Common, and heads out Commonwealth, to a turn around, at about half way. From here it follows the Marathon course back Commonwealth, up Hereford, and down Boylston. The finish is back at Boston Common, but you do experience the thrill of crossing the Boston Marathon finish line, just keep going though, the 5k finish is about a half mile away. Awesome race and great time to be in Boston.
Run Boylston!
The most amazing race production I have ever seen in a 5k. Awesome experience, you get to run the finish of the Marathon 2 days early. An all-around experience that … MORE
The most amazing race production I have ever seen in a 5k. Awesome experience, you get to run the finish of the Marathon 2 days early. An all-around experience that can’t be topped.