Running the Boston Marathon has been a long-time dream/goal of mine, and to have done it multiple times now is not lost on me. In my first time here last … MORE
Running the Boston Marathon has been a long-time dream/goal of mine, and to have done it multiple times now is not lost on me.
In my first time here last year, the Newton Hills got to me, so I was determined to be more tactical and be ready for them. Having the course knowledge did help, as did a solid build-up, and I was rewarded with a PR in Boston!
The day before the race, the Old South Church right by the finish line holds a “Blessing of the Marathoners” service which my family and I attended. This was a great way for me to get in the proper mentality being reminded that “they that wait on the Lord will renew their strength…and run and not be weary.”
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Boston -- best of the best
Running the Boston Marathon has been a long-time dream/goal of mine, and to have done it multiple times now is not lost on me. In my first time here last … MORE
Running the Boston Marathon has been a long-time dream/goal of mine, and to have done it multiple times now is not lost on me.
In my first time here last year, the Newton Hills got to me, so I was determined to be more tactical and be ready for them. Having the course knowledge did help, as did a solid build-up, and I was rewarded with a PR in Boston!
The day before the race, the Old South Church right by the finish line holds a “Blessing of the Marathoners” service which my family and I attended. This was a great way for me to get in the proper mentality being reminded that “they that wait on the Lord will renew their strength…and run and not be weary.”
BOSTON COMMUNITY TREATS YOU LIKE FAMILY!
In 2021, I ran my first Boston Marathon ever. It surpassed all expectations, all dreams, and everything that I thought it could be. It was beyond anything I could have … MORE
In 2021, I ran my first Boston Marathon ever. It surpassed all expectations, all dreams, and everything that I thought it could be. It was beyond anything I could have ever imagined it to be…magical and all surreal. 💙💛
My first miles were like out of a book or movie, I had to come to terms that I was actually there in the present and the reality set in quick! I will never forget the feeling of the start, the Athlete’s Village, the scream tunnels, the overwhelming crowds, the excitement, the love for every runner, and the race itself, but more important than all that…it was the PEOPLE & the atmosphere in Boston!!
The people on the streets of Boston make you feel like your FAMILY! The church service at Old Church down near the finish line on Sunday made me feel like I have attended that church every week. Just a stranger from the west that felt at home in the east. The outpouring of love, support, prayers, wishes, thoughts, and encouragement everywhere you turn in Boston is beyond fathomable.
I was truly blessed to experience it all and to run a BQ qualifier on the course and be welcomed again in 2023. Honestly, I was a bit concerned that returning this year it wouldn’t be like my first time and nothing would ever compare to my first amazing experience at the Boston Marathon. I was completely wrong!
Boston 2023….from meeting Des Linden to finding out #ADDYSTRONG was featured in the Boston Marathon program, to the Memorial of the tragedy 10 years ago, to running another Boston qualifying time to return in 2024 drenched from the downpouring rain…. But oh the PEOPLE! Witnessing their endless love standing in pouring rain for hours chanting names of runners passing, holding their signs high with pride, the families with children in the communities along the course handing out fresh cut oranges, candy, beers, etc. , and the amazing volunteers that poured their heart and soul into making sure each and every one of the 27,000 runners had what they needed! This, this is the Boston I will always know & remember! It’s not often that I cry crossing a finish line, as my heart is so full of joy after the accomplishment, but this year was different!
I left a piece of my heart at that finish this year, as we honored the victims of the tragedy 10 years ago. I felt and saw the outpouring love in a magnitude of ways. ONE BOSTON. A city of courage, hope, joy, compassion, beauty, and pure strength!
For those of you I ran the streets with, as we were truly honored to be a part of this: May the love always be engraved in your heart & mind.
For those who wish to someday be there running the Boston Marathon: FOLLOW the DREAM because it is every bit worth it!!! Wish you all the best and always remember LOVE WINS!! Let your love carry you there! ❤️
Start one corral back
Last year, I went to the corral where I was assigned and the first 10K obliterated my quads. By mile 10, I thought, "I never want to run this race … MORE
Last year, I went to the corral where I was assigned and the first 10K obliterated my quads. By mile 10, I thought, “I never want to run this race ever again.”
This year, I started one corral back and was able to just run as I felt comfortable (instead of just running way too fast to avoid being stampeded.) What a difference that made! My goal was just to sub-4 after my extremely disappointing run at Go! St. Louis 2 weeks prior. Imagine my surprise when I came in under 3:45!
The thing about Boston is this: if you can, you run it. No matter what the swag, portapotty situation, entry fee, etc. You run it. (and none of those things that I mentioned were bad, either. Everything is taken care of at the Boston Marathon. The SWAG is your shirt, a simple medal, and the Sam Adams Boston Lager bottle opener but- it’s the Boston Marathon. The clout/prestige that comes with those is enough.)
The expo wasn’t great this year unless you were looking for new rain gutters, wanted to get your hair curled, or happened to be in the market for air boots or a new percussion massager. After the big Boston Marathon/Adidas shop and the free Sam Adams booth, there really wasn’t much by way of the expo.
Here are my 2 favorite on-course things about Boston: (1) there are no bikes anywhere in sight. Not one (unless you are an elite and have a guide.) (2) There are water stops and medical tents-a-plenty! You don’t really have to keep anything on your person at all. It’s so well-equipped. [They’ve been doing this for 127 years so they know a thing or two.] So if you get accepted, run it. Enjoy it, Plenty of crowd support. Plenty of aid. Plenty of everything. Phenomenal experience.
Cold Rainy had a blast
Tough course. Very hard to have a PR!! Tons of support on the course. Will be back next year!!! Apparently I have to write more but just want to hit … MORE
Tough course. Very hard to have a PR!! Tons of support on the course. Will be back next year!!! Apparently I have to write more but just want to hit the submit button.
More than you can Imagine
Every inch of this race has supporters, and they're all insane. The Wellesley Wall is unbelievable, the hills leading up to Heartbreak are real, do anything you can to get … MORE
Every inch of this race has supporters, and they’re all insane. The Wellesley Wall is unbelievable, the hills leading up to Heartbreak are real, do anything you can to get in an run this race.
Amazing atmosphere
Great crowds and a fun experience. The downhills are tough on the quads but the race lives up to the hype! Logistics were very good as well, especially with busses … MORE
Great crowds and a fun experience. The downhills are tough on the quads but the race lives up to the hype! Logistics were very good as well, especially with busses and the staging area, etc.
Honored to run this prestigious race!
Dont know if it’s because I’m from NY, but I feel the crowds were quite different. I loved Boston, felt tome, like a small town marathon with a big city … MORE
Dont know if it’s because I’m from NY, but I feel the crowds were quite different. I loved Boston, felt tome, like a small town marathon with a big city feel. However, the history is present in each and every mile!
It's Boston. Nuff said.
First time qualifying & running Boston. Spring marathons are usually my favourite as I prefer training over the cold of the winter than the heat & humidity of the summer … MORE
First time qualifying & running Boston. Spring marathons are usually my favourite as I prefer training over the cold of the winter than the heat & humidity of the summer but I wasn’t as well prepared for this as I should have been. I blame it on running an ultra earlier in the year. Hope to be back in the near future and better prepared!
Tough course
This was 3rd time running Boston. The course still beat me. Although this was my best time at Boston, it was still 10 minutes off my PR. I successfully went … MORE
This was 3rd time running Boston. The course still beat me. Although this was my best time at Boston, it was still 10 minutes off my PR. I successfully went out slow for the downhill portion, which was my plan. But, I still cramped up at the end (perhaps due to dehydration). Next time, I will drink something at every stop.
The Ultimate Dream Come True
Boston is the race every single runner dreams of participating in!!! Through the American Red Cross, I was blessed to be counted as a Boston Marathon finisher. Though my journey … MORE
Boston is the race every single runner dreams of participating in!!! Through the American Red Cross, I was blessed to be counted as a Boston Marathon finisher. Though my journey across America continues no race experience will EVER top this one!!!!! So Blessed!!!
Back in Boston!
The Boston Marathon is such a great experience to be a part of. This was my fifth time to finish it and ended up being the slowest of the 26 … MORE
The Boston Marathon is such a great experience to be a part of. This was my fifth time to finish it and ended up being the slowest of the 26 marathons that I’ve done, but it was one of my most favorite ones to date. The crowds were back after not having a race on Patriots’ Day since 2019. I highly recommend this race to anyone to experience at least once either as a runner or spectator. If you are running, spend the money and downtown to soak up all the activities that happen all weekend. Meeting the people from across the US and around the world is a large part of the experience and the people of Boston also treat you like a celebrity. Highly recommend this race!
Dude, it's the fu**ing Boston Marathon!
No race report needed on this, the oldest Marathon in the world! It took me more than 3 years of trying to finally qualify for this race and it was … MORE
No race report needed on this, the oldest Marathon in the world! It took me more than 3 years of trying to finally qualify for this race and it was worth every minute of work, pain and frustration. I was just so grateful to be there that I really didn’t even race it… I just took it all in the entire 26 miles and 385 yards 🙂 Very well run race, top to bottom. If you have the opportunity and are actually debating it (for some unknown reason) stop it and sign up at the next available time!
3rd time was the charm
Perfect conditions for a great race. Ideal running weather, i only noticed a little extra headwind on the Newton hills. I last ran Boston in 2018...what a difference. Finished within … MORE
Perfect conditions for a great race. Ideal running weather, i only noticed a little extra headwind on the Newton hills. I last ran Boston in 2018…what a difference. Finished within a minute of my PR & qualifying time. My most enjoyable Boston Marathon yet.
It's frickin Boston!
I wasn't going to write a review because events like Boston, New York, Chicago, etc. are not usually races where you wonder, "Oh, should I do this? Let's see what … MORE
I wasn’t going to write a review because events like Boston, New York, Chicago, etc. are not usually races where you wonder, “Oh, should I do this? Let’s see what people have to say.” If you can do them- you do them. But I’m still buzzing from Boston so here it goes:
Nothing could have prepared me for what Boston was. The Boston Marathon is not just a road race. It’s not just a “world class sporting event.” I’ve run Berlin. I’ve run Chicago. Boston, though, felt like a hometown, community fun run (just surrounded by world-class athletes and some of the strongest, fastest amateur marathoners in the world.) You don’t start in a huge metropolitan city- you start in front of a cute little church and some dude’s house. The whole time, neighbors are out on the streets cheering you. (The whole time meaning- as you walk to your corral until after you cross the finish line.)
• People talk about Heartbreak Hill just after mile 20- no one tells you the the first 10k is like a downhill “running of the bulls.” 😆😆 my legs were done by mile 7. At 10, I thought, “I never want to run this again!” But once I sort of “leveled out,” I loved every minute! While Boston doesn’t offer pace groups or pacers, they do such a wonderful job placing runners in the corrals based on their (I can only presume) qualifying times that you don’t have to worry about being stuck behind that one runner who is walking 2 minutes into the race or the one from corral J who snuck up to B. The volunteers were diligent- “you can go back to another corral but not ahead.” I think that that is part of the appeal, too: people weren’t even trying to.jump.corrals. Those who run Boston know this event is a big deal- it’s not a throw-away race where race etiquette is optional. There are rules, both spoken and unspoken, that you follow.
• I’ve been absolutely gushing about my time in Boston since I have been back yet, now that I am writing a review, I feel lost for words. It was the most amazing experience of my life so far- the shirt and medal are simple but they come with a lot of clout and are now my favorites.
• If I can give one piece of advice to Boston first-timers it would be this: work on your quads strength and/or downhill running. That first 10k is tough and can take a toll on your quads.
Good luck 🍀 and Happy Running
Tough course. Great crowd.
Train for rolling hills all day everyday. My legs were done by mile 7. I do rolling hills on my normal long run route and have ran CIM, but wasn’t … MORE
Train for rolling hills all day everyday. My legs were done by mile 7. I do rolling hills on my normal long run route and have ran CIM, but wasn’t ready for the first half of this race. I wanted to drop out by mile 7, but it’s Boston so I sucked it up and tried to have fun, but was stuck in my pain cave. The whole weekend is amazing. It feels like the marathon all-star weekend. Definitely want to train harder and get back here some day.
The Best Marathon in the World
There are other marathons in the world that have more participants. There are other marathons in the world that are more scenic. There are other marathons in the world that … MORE
There are other marathons in the world that have more participants. There are other marathons in the world that are more scenic. There are other marathons in the world that are harder to get in to. But NOTHING beats being in the worlds oldest marathon. The course, the crowds, everything about this race is amazing. I have run it five times now and run in all kinds of weather (heat of 2016/17, the freezing rain of 2018). The course is challenging, the crowds are amazingly supportive, the race feels like the culmination of your running career.
Tripped at mile 11
The grand daddy of them all! Love this marathon for so many reasons! The Expo rules! The jacket I wear all the time is something I will cherish for a … MORE
The grand daddy of them all! Love this marathon for so many reasons! The Expo rules! The jacket I wear all the time is something I will cherish for a lifetime. This race was in October which is new timing but much better for me. This was my 13th Boston and I hope to go back again! Great crowds, great course, amazing finish line and schwag! Love it all!
This year I ran and raised money for the Navy SEAL Foundation which was truly an experience I will never forget. The runners on our team were incredible and the City of Boston took care of all of us. Fun to be a part of a group giving back to the SEAL families and community.
I tripped at Mile 11 – probably a crack in the road, and fell hard. I got up and walked to the side. The First Aid people were really great to take care of me. My watch was still working and I kept going (can’t ring that bell!) . I stopped at 5 total aid stations because I was afraid I might have a concussion, but felt good enough to keep going. Very happy with my time and re-qualified if I want to run in 2023. I felt very taken care of the the crowds kept me going! Well done BAA!
Amazing eh!
For an event that had to adapt to COVID rules, it went off extremely smooth. I really loved how they had the waterfall start. I have only done this time … MORE
For an event that had to adapt to COVID rules, it went off extremely smooth.
I really loved how they had the waterfall start. I have only done this time of race start in triathlons. However, for a major event with the amount of people involved. I think all major events should do this.
It cuts down wait time. I didnt have to fight to get around the slower runners.
Nobody does it better
Boston knows how to put a marathon. The whole city celebrates during race week with billboards, store displays, and sales. Runners and visitors can be seen walking around town in … MORE
Boston knows how to put a marathon. The whole city celebrates during race week with billboards, store displays, and sales. Runners and visitors can be seen walking around town in their newly purchased Boston Marathon shirts and jackets. It is all very colorful. The course is tough with the first 4 miles downhill stressing your quads. I always seem to run the first half too fast. I will try for a better time next year.
One of the best!
What can I say that hasn't been said before? This is THE Boston Marathon - quite possibly the most well-known marathon in the world! Despite the fact that the 125th … MORE
What can I say that hasn’t been said before? This is THE Boston Marathon – quite possibly the most well-known marathon in the world!
Despite the fact that the 125th Boston was a bit unique in that it was still operating under pandemic precautions AND it was the only Boston in history held in October (thus far), it felt like the organization was as professional as ever. As this was my first in-person Boston I can’t comment on past races, but it felt like everything was planned to a T and volunteers and organizers were very much aware of everything that needed to be done for a successful race.
I felt the pre-race logistics went off without a hitch for me personally, although I have heard that not everyone was as lucky. But I will speak to my experience. Good and timely communication via email and social media. The Covid vaccine / test confirmation was easy to get to close by the expo. It was also efficient, as I only waited about a minute for my verification. I was able to get my packet right away at the expo and it was not very crowded at all (with the exception of the Adidas booth). With that being said, the expo was a bit underwhelming since there were so few booths. I am chalking this up to pandemic precautions. Normally I enjoy seeing all the vendors, other races, etc. If I am lucky enough to go again I do hope that expo is a bit more “normal”. There was no athlete’s village this year, we had a wave start that was determined by when we were supposed to load onto the busses. I felt this worked quite well, I only had to wait in line 10 minutes or so before I was able to get onto the bus, and after warming up a bit at the start I was cleared to go in short order.
I personally loved the actual course! It isn’t the most scenic that I have run, but it had an “aura” and an enjoyability that not all races have. The first 16 miles or so is primed for fast running since it is mostly downhill / flat with only a few small bumps. Naturally that changes once you get to Newton when the infamous hills come in to play. I felt the hills themselves are not that bad (compared to some races that are actually considered hilly). However, if you went too hard on the downhills and trashed your legs or used up your glycogen reserves, you may find yourself hurting in Newton. Once you have crested heartbreak hill the course is net downhill, with some unremarkable rollers and flat running. If your legs are not hurting too badly and you haven’t hit the wall, finishing strong on this course is a strong possibility!
Some other great things other than the actual course. The crowds – wow, the crowds! I’ve never had anything like it! Chicago was close, but there’s nothing like the Boston crowds! Sure, there are a few dead areas, but that is made up by the infectious enthusiasm felt in numerous places on the course. Course support was great, plenty of water stops, 3 Maurten gel stops, and other various aid stations if needed. Swag was maybe on par with other races with some coupons, a nice Boston Marathon long-sleeved technical shirt, and that sweet sweet unicorn medal!
Boston has shot to the top of my list of favorite races, and I am thrilled that I qualified again with my best race ever since I would love to experience the race in the spring!