Boston Marathon
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38 reviews for Boston Marathon
38 reviews in English
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Review from Alexandra S.
Hingham, MA
4/16/2012
Props to all the runners for this year's Boston Marathon. Temperatures well into the 80s made this already rigorous run something to really be cautious about.
Starting in 1897 this is the world's oldest annual marathon.
Although that history is one mostly to be proud of, it does give me pause to think that women weren't recognized as official runners until 1972 (!).
All is forgiven now and watching as I've done over the many years I've lived here always gives me a lump in my throat as I consider the passion, hardwork, sacrifice and discipline it takes to do this.
Kudos to my friends who were running for a variety of causes like the Mass General Hospital for Children Oncology Team, the National Marfan's Foundation and others.
All the runners from near and far should be proud of their accomplishments but I especially bow before those who run for charity.
It was another good day for Boston and the world. -
Review from Erica S.
Brighton, MA
4/16/2012
1st 2012 Boston Marathon Review.
Thanks for shutting down my street, I had to wait in front of someone's oversized driveway in Newton for an hour until I could drive into Brighton where I live to park my car. Thanks, my dog pissed all over my clean bathroom.
I got to watch the last hour of the marathon perched atop of my car. The stragglers were all walking, c'mon people actually live here and need to get home to tend to their dogs, eat dinner, and rest after a long day.
Run or get off my street.
I gave it two stars because the weather was nice and the people that were still out in Newton at 4pm were cheering on every runner that passed by.
Respect to the runners-85 degrees and still chugging. -
Review from Hayley M.
Updated - 4/16/2012
Even when it's 85 degrees and the concrete is melting, the Boston Marathon is as good as it gets. I only wish every runner would write their name on their shirt so we could shout every name as they run by. Keep it up, runners!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/23/2010
Is there a better day of the year than Marathon Monday? Pick up a calendar and find me a better day,… Read more »
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Review from Damien S.
4/18/2011
Overheard at the Marathon:
"No, no - the cops are in front of you. Turn around and run the other way."
"Can dogs enter?"
"Who won Men's?"
- Dunno. He was Kenyan.
"And the Women's?"
- Barbie-yen?
"They're all so skinny! I'm so jealous."
"Where does it start?"
- In the womb.
"No, I mean the race."
- In the womb.
And the winner...
"I don't understand the big deal. Some Greek messenger did the same thing thousands of years ago."
- Yeah, but he finished and died. Today, you finish, check your Facebook and get hammered at McGreevy's.
"So, which is worse?"
Keep on truckin, runners. See you next year! -
Review from Michelle S.
Oakland, CA
4/18/2011
I hate letting out secrets, but you know the best place to watch? Mile 21 in Newton, right after Heartbreak Hill. It's not too crowded and the runners really need you cheering them on because a) they went over Heartbreak Hill and b) they just hit the wall. It's also good for you because it's not too far from the end of the B line.
What an amazing experience...maybe even my best day since moving to Boston.
I usually feel like a fat, lazy drunk when I see so many fit runners...but the Boston Marathon is such a joyous experience, that I totally forgot my lack of being in shape. Or about how I totally wrecked my own knees that one time I trained for a marathon five years ago.
But you know what's even more awesome? Waking up your 3-hour-behind friends in California because you have the day off and they don't. :)Listed in: Allow me to entertain you....
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Review from Sereia C.
4/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
Carbing up for the Boston Marathon tomorrow...vodka is made from potatoes, right??
YEAH RUNNERS!!! Can't wait to cheer you on in the morning...and to ponder your bat $hit craziness at wanting to put yourselves through the torture of Heartbreak Hill...
GO GET IT!!!!Listed in: Diamonds on my neck, Patron in…, Fitness obsession!!, ROTD
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Review from Mike C.
4/19/2011
The Boston Marathon is held at 5am in early January around the world, years before the gun sounds on Main Street in Hopkinton. It begins with little fan fare as runners leave their warm beds and log their miles. Long slow distance, tempo runs, race pace and speed work begin to define their days with lifting, core work and stretching thrown in to break up the monotony. There are lonely miles, dead leg miles, miles with a cold or flu and lots and lots of hurt miles. Management of the inevitable injuries becomes an art. Understanding family and friends are an invaluable asset.
Not all is bad however as there are long runs busting balls with friends while laughing the miles away. There are magic break through runs stride for stride with a faster friend. There are PR runs that can't be searched on line but happened none the less.
But before a flight to Boston is booked a runner needs a BQ in the right hand column of http://MarathonGuide.com results page. BQ represents a Boston qualifying marathon time, 3:10 for men, 3:40 for women with extra time being given for old age. BQs don't come easy. Everything has to fall in place on a given day to get a BQ. Health, attitude, weather, diet and other variables all have to favor a runner looking for that damn BQ. Try hard enough or long and hard enough and one will happen. It will, however, not be an accident.
Congratulations, runner, you made it to the big dance. Patriots Day weekend in Boston. A gathering of the tribe. You know all of these people. You understand them, they understand you. You will even see doubles of your running friends and be told who you look just like. The buzz, the town and the holiday weekend are as cool as you have heard, enjoy.
Then there is the race. The elites bring their "A" game and it is infectious. Your corral mates look hard, long and lean. You wonder if you belong. You will soon find out. Sucker inducing descents will try to pull you out of your game. In order to run this course fast you must slow down. Run your race. Enjoy the best marathon crowd in the world. Kiss a girl at Wellesley, respect the hills of Newton and run like you are on fire after 21. Turn left on Bolyston Street to find where you belong.
Thank you Boston Athletic Association, thank you volunteers and thank you course spectators for the thing that you do. A special thanks to all of the Yankee Runners who showed me how to get there. -
Review from Erin H.
4/19/2011
The Boston Marathon was a good time this year (what I got to enjoy of it on my lunch break, because some of us have to work....)
I watched from Beacon St. & Harvard St. in Brookline, and it's usually a great little spot which isn't too crowded (and happens to be 2 blocks from my office!)
The cops did an awful time of keeping people out of Beacon Street, they got so far in that the runners were having to push them out of the way!!! UNACCEPTABLE!
And people need to stop trying to cross the street while groups of runners are coming at them, I saw one Japanese runner get knocked right on his face by some dumb girl lagging across the street, he then had to be helped away by the EMT's.
I know the street closings are a pain, but get over it, these are athletes who you could seriously hurt by getting in their way.
Other than those things, the Marathon was wonderful as always. I saw at least 5 barefoot people, and one caveman, I saw two wonder women and a wonder man, as well as a tin man and scarecrow :)
CONGRATS RUNNER OF 2011! -
Review from Amy K.
Updated - 5/10/2009 6 photos
Running is a unique sport. I don't know of any other sport where the average person can compete along with elite world-class athletes. And Boston is unique in that it's the oldest marathon in the United States and the only one that requires a qualifying time to enter. For me, it's like the Olympics of the marathon, and I'm rewarded for my hard work by getting to run in this world renowned event.
When I started running, I never in my wildest dreams thought I would qualify for Boston. But once I did, after several attempts, I vowed that as long as I qualify, I'm always going to come to Boston and run on the 3rd Monday of April. This year it was my fourth year in a row, and I've already made plans to come back next year.
It's not about "winning" or having a fast time for me, it's about experiencing all that is the Boston Marathon, from riding the yellow school bus out to Hopkinton, to slapping hands with the children lining the course, to sharing my experience with the 20,000+ other runners out there.
If you qualify, you have to go. That's all there is to it. Consider it your reward.Listed in: My Boston Experience, My ROTDs
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/7/2008 ROTD 4/20/2008
I love Boston. It's not just the marathon that I love, although it's more of a love/hate… Read more »
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Review from John B.
San Francisco, CA
4/30/2008
When doing a race, people cheering can make a huge difference in your finishing time. This is especially true at the Boston Marathon. It is considered one of the tougher marathons around and now I can see why.
I didn't have my best race but without people cheering pretty much the whole way I would have done a lot worse.
The course is point to point and starts downhill but don't worry you make up for it with the uphills toward the end of the race. These hills made me want to cry and luckily I was wearing sunglasses so you'll never know if I actually did.
While getting into the Boston marathon is tough as you have to qualify, there is the option of raising money for a charity which is a win win situation as you get the chance to run one of the most famous and fun races around and you also help those in need. -
Review from Mark M.
Reading, MA
Updated - 2/8/2009
"To describe the agony of a marathon to someone who's never run it is like trying to explain color to someone who was born blind."
-Jerome Drayton
I wrote my "inspirational" review of the Marathon on the page for the B.A.A., so I'll use this section to write about the other aspects of it. It seems like this is the dumping ground where people bitch and moan.
First: if you're complaining about the fact that your day is interrupted because of the Marathon, which happens only once each year, cry me a river. It is one of the best organized events I have ever taken part in. Sorry you feel inconvenienced that your city is the location of the greatest road race in the world and the focus of the athletic universe for a day.
Now onto other matters: the behind-the-scenes look at the day from a runner's perspective.
Myth: if you didn't qualify officially and you want to run you will be prevented from doing so. This is completely wrong. It's called running as a "bandit", and no one will give you any problem. You simply get at the very back of the pack and wait for the other qualified runners to cross the start and then you are free to go. Volunteers along the course will treat you just as they would any of the official runners.
What no one tells you: Sunscreen. Even if it is only 50 degrees out. And don't eat the oranges some spectators hand out. The acid will make you completely queasy and you'll end up horking. I did in 2003. I threw up 4 times bewteen miles 9 and 11 and it took me until mile 15 before I could keep any water down. Gummy Bears are fine. There's a woman who sits on the rock wall in her front yard at the top of Heartbreak Hill and hands them out every year. This is the only way I know her and she recognizes me every year.
Hydration: there are water stops every mile. Don't worry about over-hydrating before the start.
People I feel sorry for: there are houses with yards in Hopkinton along the street that the runners line up on that basically turn into public restrooms. Yes, it is disgusting, and yes I have contributed to this problem. There is one house that had two large pine trees with branches that were 10 feet off the ground, but bowed down almost creating a dome-like structure you could enter. One was a men's room, the other a ladie's room. And remember, you can't flush a tree. It had been a couple weeks since the last rainfall, but the yard was completely muddy.
Bloody Nipples: If your first experience with bloody nipples is in the marathon itself, you didn't train for it. This is something you discover in your first training run of 10 miles or so. Vaseline will NOT help. You need to get yourself some sports tape and slap a strip over your nipples. If you do end up with bloody nipples at any point, DO NOT get into a shower. I have to stress this. It will feel like someone is taking a blowtorch to them. This is when you should cover them with vaseline. The water won't wash it off and it will save you a world of hurt.
Fabric choices: cotton turns to sandpaper after 10 miles. Wear synthetics.
Booze along the course: There is a biker bar in ashland that hands out shots of Jack Daniels to the runners. It's tempting, yes, even if just to say "Yeah, I finished the marathon and took at shot of Jack at mile 3." Trust me, don't. Wait until you hit B.C. and Heartbreak Hill. There will be plenty of beer, and with only 6 miles to go you'll be able to have one and finish up without any trouble. The Hash House Harriers usually have cold frosties waiting for the runners. When you see "B V N" written in large chalk letters in the middle of the road, yell "R-U" and head to the first person that shouts back "On-On!" Beer will be waiting for you.
Wellesley: They really are fantastic. They are the loudest people on the course. A lot of the women hold up signs saying "kiss me." Definitely do this. Not because it is a cheap thrill, but because they really haven't thought this through. My wife won't come near me until I have showered after a normal trip to the gym. Imagine now if a complete stranger who just ran 13 miles comes trotting over with salt stains from dried sweat all over his face, those little congealed spittle globs in the corners of his mouth, all puckered-up and looking for love. The "oh my god this is not what I imagined" squeal is worth the stop.
Heartbreak Hill: it's really three hills, and they really are that bad.
If friends come to cheer you on toward the finish, don't expect to hear them. It's all white noise after mile 17. And to the friends going to watch a runner: we will probably intentionally run on the other side of the road from where you're standing. We do not want to hear that we can do it, that we're almost there, etc. And by no means does any runner want to stop and chat. Stopping is the most horrendous feeling in the world, starting back up is the second worst.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/7/2009
There is a certain phrase that gets thrown around far too often. It is diluted by momentary… Read more »
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Review from Allison T.
Allston, MA
4/25/2008
After three years of living in Boston (and always escaping the city on Marathon Monday) - I finally got in on the action this year. One of my buds was running (she is now my hero!) so a few of us made tshirts, ridiculous posters, and trotted up to Coolidge Corner to cheer our heroine on. We had a great time screaming the names of anyone savvy enough to post them on their shirts/legs/butts/etc...
Talk about inspiring. Daaamn. I felt like I was living in a nike commercial - except not because while everyone was running I was chowing down on tortilla chips and guac. Cheering is tiring.
A hint for next year - Coolidge doesn't get too crowded so it's a great place to watch as folks finish up. Also, as there's a break here you'll see friends, family, admirers, etc... jump in with their runners to go that last mile all together (we saw one woman get so amped she jumped out in her six inch manolos and trotted alongside her pal. That's dedication - to both fierceness and friendship). -
Review from Leighann F.
Astoria, Queens, NY
4/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
Three years I've had the privilege of cheering on the runners of the Boston marathon, and with each year I am more in awe of those who join me in encouragement of the athletes and those who run!
While I no longer live in Boston, it is now tradition for me to make the trip up each Marathon Monday to visit friends, gather to celebrate on Patriots day and cheer on friends and family who make the commitment to run the 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Boston.
Suggestions: to snag a finish-line spot, start as early as 8pm for a position right up against the railing. Brunch is served at many restaurants on Monday, so make a reservation if you're planning on hitting up any spots on Boylston or Newbury. Walk-ins can certainly be accommodated, but except long waits the later in the day it gets or consider a location in the South End, which tends to be a little less crowded than Back Bay, Avoid Copley Square unless absolutely necessary, like meeting a runner after the race. The T station will be closed anyway, and you'll have better luck navigating around the city if you stick to peripheral streets. Don't even think about driving into town. Viewing spots are less packed as you head up Boylston, closer to the curve where runners turn onto the last street of street toward to finish line. If someone has a friend or family member that is running and about to pass by where you are located, be courteous and let them stand near the fence! -
Review from Dave R.
Boston, MA
12/22/2009
How do I review the Boston Marathon? Along with the Red Sox, the Freedom Trail, and damn Atlantic Ocean, the Marathon is probably amongst the most recognizable events tied to Boston. And like all things tied to Boston, it's SUPER old, SUPER awesome, and HARD. I love that it's the BOSTON Marathon that has the most prestige of the majors in the world, because that makes Boston cooler than every other city ever. I'm looking at you, Berlin.
For people who aren't crazy like a fox, Marathon Monday is a good time to get drunk, cheer on runners, and generally get nutty like a Mr. Goodbar. I enjoy the dudes who set up stereos on the sidewalk, or grab an actual guitar and jam out. Ten points for you, fellas. If you enjoy schadenfreude, and just want to watch a bunch of suckers in hideous pain trying to haul their asses through 26 miles, try hanging out on upper Beacon Street, by Cleveland Circle. By that point in the run, most of the pack has separated out, and there's usually plenty of space on the street to actually watch.
The thing about the Marathon is this: if you like running, runners, stuff that moves, or alcohol, there's a good chance you'll enjoy spectating the event for a couple of hours. No need to be out there for the whole day, but it's a cool Boston-y thing to do that doesn't feel touristy. For runners, Boston is the holy grail, fountain of youth, and an unlimited credit card rolled up into one mystical, outrageously painful event, and this review can't really examine that angle of it. I ran the marathon this year (2009), but I'm not really a runner, so I didn't have the same sense of catharsis that a lot of more hardcore distance athletes talk about. It did hurt like a bitch, though. -
Review from Shawn P.
5/20/2009 2 photos
The Greatest Story Ever Run ....
I saw that quote on a poster while there ....
I got into the Boston Marathon under the Lance Armstrong Foundation's LIVESTONG TEAM as a fundraiser for Cancer Research.
I was contacted 9 weeks prior to the race and I had never run a full Marathon before and I was more than intimated by the prospect.
Never the less, I went and all I can see it was next to graduating from Georgia Tech, the most physically, mentally taxing thing thing I have ever done all with being the most satisfying and listed among my proudest achievements.
And like most things I have done that were great, I did not do it alone - THE CROWDS IN BOSTON ARE AWESOME !!!
Without the people lined up from Hopkinton to Boston I would have never finished - the energy is so palpable that I never used my ipod!!
The cheering, the sign, the little kids wanting to slap hands with me ( and I am a nobody ) - the music " Rocky Theme and Chariots of Fire " played on little boom boxes on people's lawns.
I totally cramped up and pulled a hamstring muscle at mile 17 miles and starting crying not from the pain but because I thought I was going to have to quit after running further than I ever had in my life - 3 random strangers came from their porches and help me stretch out while i called my doctor on my phone - wiped my face, gave juice, oranges, candy and wanted to take a picture with me and then sent me on my way - Only in the Boston Marathon -
5 hours later I was a Marathoner and a Boston Finisher - this review is for the volunteers and the Boston Crowds - I love you and I will return !!! -
Review from Jayashree P.
Boston, MA
5/7/2006 1 photo
The Boston Marathon is an amazing inspiring event. Even with the crowds, you're bound to have a good time. There are tonnes of free samples. My favourite was the Milky Way Chocolate Milk - very chocolaty and very sweet. Some proprietors take advantage of the crowd, like Vinny's, and charge $100 per person for just getting in.
How Did the Pizza Cross the Road? - My 2006 Marathon Story
This year we were watching the marathon and there were policemen on the road making sure people don't violate any rules like running through the marathon roads. There was one stern cop standing right in front of us and people kept coming up to him every 2 minutes and asking him to let them cross the street. He would then inform them that they needed to go 5 blocks in either direction to get to the other side. One woman comes and begs him to let her across and he just shakes his head and repeats the same instructions. She continues to tell him that her friend is across and has her pizza. Her strong argument fails to dissuade him. Finally she gives in, but not before she asks him if he could go fetch the pizza for her. He simply replied with a straight face,"No. We don't deliver." -
Review from Ali A.
Boston, MA
5/5/2010
Love, love, love.
The Boston Marathon MIGHT be my favorite holiday. Yes, it's a holiday. My love affair started many years ago, when I was introduced to said event as a little college freshman. "What is this? A marathon? Ok, cool. Wait, it runs by our school? Great! Wait, there are no classes that day? SWEET! And we drink while we cheer? Sign me up!!!"
As a runner, this marathon is the crème de la crème. I aspire to run it one day, but I'll stick to half-marathons for now. The course is a tough one, there is no mistaking that. But the spectators are amazing! Not an inch of course goes by without people cheering, offering words of encouragement, holding signs, you name it.
Many of said spectators (full disclosure - myself included) treat Marathon Monday like a Jimmy Buffet concert - without alcohol, what's the point? Not to an obnoxious level, but one of happy merriment. If you're a runner, you'll be thanking them once you hit heartbreak hill.
My fav spots to view are mile 8 at the Natick commuter rail stop and mile 22 at Cleveland Circle. Despite crowds, you can get to both pretty easily. We were tracking a few runners and were able to see everyone at both spots. I'd love to spend some time at the finish line, but as you can imagine, it's a bit of a zoo.
To summarize: the city is filled with people from all over the world, the Expo is amazing and open to the public, and everyone is in a good mood. How can you not LOVE this fabulous event?!?!? -
Review from Jeff D.
1/10/2008
The Boston Marathon is one of the events that makes Boston a truly great city. This is one of the only marathons where runners can be assured that people will be on the sidelines cheering them almost every step of the way.
If you live in Boston and have never bothered to take the day off to enjoy the race, I highly recommend it. Downtown is insane, but out near miles 23 and 24 on Beacon Street you can get right next to the route and suppor the runners. As one who has completed the race, I can tell you that those last few miles you need all the help you can get. -
Review from Elissa S.
4/24/2008
The Boston Marathon is absolutely inspiring. I watched the '08 race on Beacon Street around Brighton/Brookline, which was great. I was right against the street, cheering the runners on. Based on my experience, I have some tips for both runners and non-runners.
1) I saw so many male runners with bloody nipples. Ouch. I know male surfers use this thing stuff "Jacks Nipple Cream" to prevent chafing. I highly recommend that for anyone who is running 26.2 miles too.
2) Runners, write your name on your shirt somewhere. It was a lot of fun to yell, "Go Mark! You can do it! Oh my god, Mark, you're running so fast, you're just a blur!" However, it was mildly awkward to yell, "Way to run for Children's Hospital, Katie, Jen...and your brunette friend to the left, yeah!" Name on shirt. Not on arm or leg, because those things are moving.
3) As long as you're writing your name somewhere on your shirt, write something funny too. I saw many people with phone numbers.
4) Spectators, cheer on the latter half of runners. Those are the people who are running for charity, never ran a marathon before, and are practically dying at mile 20.
Marathon Monday is one of my favorite times to go up and visit Boston. Everyone should definitely enjoy the race at some point in their lives. -
Review from Sean M.
4/23/2009
"Hurt so good, c'mon Baby make it hurt so good" John Mellancamp
I think he was writing about running the Boston Marathon, wasn't he? He wasn't? Hmmmm then why did this song spin in my head over and over from miles 19-25? Must have been those dozens of little hills that add to the pain, little by little until by Heartbreak, those legs just won't move any faster. I ran 10 minutes slower than my goal time and was bummed until this 20 something guy told me he qualified at 3:07 and ran a 3:32.
Pros-It's historic, it's well organized, it has the greatest running fans on the planet.
Cons-that 3 hour wait on the schoolyard was no fun. But, I'm not taking away a star because, hey! It's Boston!!!Listed in: Recent Races
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Review from Angel M.
4/20/2010
The Boston Marathon is the supreme sports event of Boston. The roaring crowds, the individualized circumstances, the brisk weather, the animated runners, and hundreds of volunteers, make the Boston Marathon, my favorite yearly sporting event, EVER!
Well managed and organized, yeah city is beyond capacity, yeah the T and streets and the buses are all out of whack, but like, whatever.
As a volunteer this year, I have to say, finding 25000 people and giving them their belongings back is a heck of a lot of fun.
oh! and what about the all day support for the runners! everyone cheers for them all day! oh, and what about the awesome "next day is def a hangover" parties, that are ALL OVER THE PLACE!
and the fact that alot of people get the day off!
and there is cool gear associated with the events!
and i met alot of aussies, mexicans, irish, british, and hawaiians!
love this stuff! -
Review from P. G.
Boston, MA
4/29/2008
I have nothing against the Boston Marathon, except for the fact that it should be held on a Sunday, and not a Monday. Sure, the city has concocted this phony "Patriots Day" holiday, but unless you are a government employee, there's a better than average chance that you have to work on Marathon Monday.
The ever-cantankerous Howie Carr of the Boston Herald writes a rip-job of the marathon every year, bemoaning the fact that the city is shut down on a weekday for the sake of a bunch of narcissistic runners. Always a classic. Anyway, this would be a 5 star review if they switched it to Marathon Sunday. -
Review from Steve K.
Boston, MA
4/20/2010
On this day over two hundred-odd years ago, a band of our rag-tag revolutionary forefathers took on the English war machine in Lexington and Concord, sparking the war that would earn our nation its freedom and cementing their place in history.
So, logically, every Patriots' Day we celebrate their bravery by grilling a lot of meat, drinking a lot of beer and yelling from the side of the road at people who are getting 26.2 miles' worth of serious, hardcore exercise.
God bless America. -
Review from Heather W.
San Bruno, CA
3/26/2010
The ultimate marathon for all marathoners who enjoy competing against themselves. Boston is always a challenge, but continues to bring out the best in my running. The experience is always a truly inspiring one, with large crowds, passionate fellow runners, and unbelievably loud cheering all along the 26.2-mile run into Boston (I swear you can here the Wellesley girls from a mile away!). The start gives me the chills every time and reminds me why I have put in all the hard work over the past few years.
Love Athletes Village! Great place to meet other runners who share your passion for running. Provides a perfect combination of pre-race adrenaline and calm to settle your nerves.
Extremely honored to have been a part of this race for the last two years and hoping to continue to be a part of it for many years to come.
They've got me hooked, and as they say "See you next year!" -
Review from Clara L.
4/19/2011
What a well organized race! Crowd control was easy, runners weren't cramped on the course, and everyone had a good time. Of course, the athletes delivered some amazing competition. Anyone who says running isn't a hardcore sport can just attempt to qualify. I was surrounded by amazing stories, one runner managed to pick out his mom from a sea of people to give her a hug, people running for causes close to their heart, or those just out there to prove they can do it. All ages, all locations, what an event. Kudos to the BAA, excellent job!
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Review from Shannon F.
Somerville, MA
4/22/2008
The Boston Marathon is one of my favorite Boston Traditions. The whole city comes together to support their family members, friends, and favorite Kenyan athlete.
I watched the 112th Boston Marathon yesterday in the Kenmore squarea. These people had already run 25 miles!! Some of them were collapsing, some looked like they had just started running- no signs of fatigue... I really was inspired.
The city does a great job making this a very well organized event that everyone can enjoy. I believe there was a concert outside of the Prudential center, and all the bars on Boylston were hosting "Marathon parties" where you could go have a beer with people who just ran 26.2 miles.
I've decided to start training for the Boston Marathon so I can do it before I'm 30. -
Review from Megan S.
San Francisco, CA
4/17/2007
It's hard to rate the Boston Marathon. As a runner you work so hard to get here that the whole event is so built up.
However, it is one of the few events that actually lives up to the hype!
- The expo was huge and amazing -- tons of vendors, superstar exhibitors (I met Greta Weitz and Pam Reed!!), and a crazy amount of people given the driving rain outside.
- The people of Boston and the outlying areas ROCK for coming out and cheering like crazy in the freezing rain and wind!
What an amazing marathon. If you can get here, run it!!Listed in: my racing life
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Review from giselle e.
Boston, MA
5/13/2010
I'm shocked that this isn't 5 stars.
Huge event in Boston that you must see if you're in the area in the middle of April. People who have been training for months beforehand are put to the test in 26.2 miles of high heart rates as they either pass or get passed by other marathon runners, some who may have more or little to no experience at all. Runners either make it or break it at heartbreak hill. Newspapers the day after even make a nice little section with all those who completed the marathon along with their record.
Great event to cheer on the runners, even if you don't know them! Lots of stands that give away free stuff in the Copley location and stands where you can buy Boston Marathon 20XX gear! Day before the full marathon is the half-marathon, the invitational mile and scholastic run, which is fun to see high-schoolers go against each other! INTENSE.
Be there! Rain or shine. -
Review from Juggy W.
Waban, MA
4/20/2008
I hate running - its bad for your knees.
oh and the marathon should start at 2AM so the traffic wont be affected. -
Review from Jack M.
Boston, MA
11/4/2009
The only good thing about the Marathon is that people from work leave to go see it. So it makes it a quieter day for me. Also, this brings in lots of business for local.... businesses.
Other than that people trash the streets and tie up traffic for hours. Not to mention the people on the subway who actually take the T home after running in a marathon all smelly and smugly wearing their # and foil blankie. Get off my train. -
Review from Amanda G.
Boston, MA
4/27/2008
The Boston Marathon is a holiday (literally; it's on Patriot's Day, but no one remembers that). It's full of drunk college kids who are having a blast.
Oh yeah - and the runners are pretty cool too. -
Review from Bryan H.
Cambridge, MA
4/18/2011
Watching right now!!!!!
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Review from Melissa M.
Medford, MA
4/29/2008 2 Check-ins Here
Awesome day! Awesome time. Would I run 26.2 miles? Yes, I would. But, not all in the same day.
Please BAA move this to a WEEKEND so more people could enjoy this event. Otherwise, people have to work and it's not fair! Plus it is really annoying for streets to be shut down on a MONDAY!
But, still a GREAT time. Take the day off!Listed in: Stuff To Do
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Review from Stephanie H.
Salem, MA
4/23/2011
Not only a Boston Tradition but a runners dream. I have had the benefit of watching the Marathon from around mile 22 the first year I was in Boston, from Work the next few years ( the joy of being one of the few companies open in the Hancock tower on Marathon Monday) and for 2010 and 2011 as a volunteer at mile 16.85 at the Powerade Gel Stop. These runners are amazing. I have been running (or attempting to) for a couple years now. Have no desire to do a full marathon but it is truly amazing to see those who do- from the wheelchair to the elite runners to the charity runners that are just wanting to finish. It is something truly amazing to watch. Great job all!
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Review from Craig C.
Boston, MA
4/27/2008 2 Check-ins Here
I took my turn back in 2001. I believed I was somewhat of an athlete and a friend and I decided to run as scabs. This means we didn't qualify. We made fake numbers and blended in at the beginning with all the other runners. I had trained for this my whole life.
Actually what I meant to say was I never trained for anything like this in my whole life. The truth is I am a cocky SOB who really knew at the time that running about 25 miles would be a crazy way to test myself. I had already hang glided, scuba dived, mountain climbed and joined the mile high club.
Yes that last one was a total lie but I have flown in many airplanes for thousands of miles and I felt that running a lousy 25 may take all day but I was young and in reasonably good shape so why the F not!
It was a party at the starting line. Everyone hugging, taking pics, getting interviewed, making fun of the Kenyans, trying to get on TV...
Soon we were off and to tell you the truth it wasn't bad for about five miles. My friend the runner really wanted to get through this in under 4 hours and at the start that seemed reasonable. I had listened to some Tony Roberts subliminal tapes all week prior and in my head I heard an army of men shouting GO GO GO over and over. It was really working. At mile 11 is when things started to crack. My armor was denting big time. I had a cramp in my right side and it was burning like the time I was shot in compton during the riots.
In my imagination anyway. Let's just say it hurt. alot. like a bitch. Tony Roberts guys were now saying PUSSY PUSSY PUSSY over and over. My sneakers weren't laced tight enough. I felt a blister on my left foot. My friend was a few feet ahead of me so he couldn't see me running with this weird limp, skip grimace thing i was doing. (thankfully) There are so many people who come out to watch this race. There are college girls cheering, kids handing cups of vodka or water out, police, firemen, donkeys.... You start to see things after mile 14. You think they are all waiting for you to fall down.
I watched a race one time where some woman maybe Uta Pippic or someone, crapped in her pants and lost complete control of her bodily functions. This is my absolute worst nightmare. At mile 16 this is what I felt was happening. My friend was long gone ahead of me and some really old people were passing me. I felt like at any moment my heart would simply POP. I never should have told everyone to be at the finish line. A-HOLE A-HOLE A-HOLE, fuck you tony robbins. Now you reach a point where everything hurts. Even my eyelashes felt like they were bleeding. My nipples which I never really noticed before were rubbing against my shirt for 17 miles and were actually bleeding. My knees felt like they were on someone elses legs. I smacked a water cup out of someone's hand who got too close. I hate you people. I hate you people. By the time I reached Boston proper and was coming towards Fenway I was in a quasi-comatose state convinced that if I stopped I would really die. I was breathing like a asthmatic who forgot his meds. I remember focusing on someone who caught my eye. He mouthed "You can do it!" of course he was in a lawn chair eating a hot dog. "Fawk yooo" I said.
When I came into the Back Bay I wasn't walking but I wasn't running either. It was sort of a trot, then walk, then trot. Like many others I knew I had to at least run the last few yards where all my peeps would be. It was like slow motion. GO GO Pussy GO It was 4:45 and counting. I was neck and neck with some short guy dressed like the flag. I heard one of my loved ones yell "CAAAPPEEEE" I looked up smiled and took off. I don't know where that last adrenaline came from. Actually it came from a manic intense desire to not look like a retard. I crossed, then sat down, then laid down, then hyperventilated.
It was a great experience to look back upon but as God is my witness. Never again. It took a month to recover. I don't wish that kind of pain on a dog. I won't even watch it unless I'm at a bar. Let the Kenyans have it.
amen.Listed in: Places I rarely wear underwear
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Review from Kara R.
Washington, DC
4/24/2008
FYI, if you are concerned about people catching malaria - it's not communicable - you need to be bitten by an infected mosquito.
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Review from Aim M.
Redwood City, CA
4/28/2009
There's nothing special about the course, but the experience is incredible.
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Review from ariana p.
San Francisco, CA
5/27/2009 1 photo
Oh Boston Marathon, how you took so many Friday nights from my social life.. Boston Marathoners train lots or fund-raise thousands.. My expectations were cloud high and Boston and the marathon itself did not disappoint. I've run several marathons, but this one stands high above the rest... The people in Boston must see a lot of the training that goes into qualifying for this race. I was stopped by many locals with congratulations the day before and the day after the race for qualifying and for finishing.. Race day spectators lined every inch of the 26.2 beautiful trek from Hopkinton to Boston.. The Wesley college kids were incredible at mile 13, I could hear their cheers from a half mile away, even with my tunes blaring.. Mile 16 presented hills that wouldn't leave my quads alone until mile 21 then it was smooth sailing to the finish.. The enthusiasm and the support of the city and atmosphere running alongside other running addicts was an experience I'll take with me always.. I am looking forward to next year.. and the year after that..
