Boston Marathon Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

Tom D.
Warner, NH

  (05-24-2010)

"Great course beats you up badly and makes running later in spring difficult.I am still sore and had no problems going into the race. Crowd is awesome lots of chicks I would have gladly stopped and done things with. Organization great but after 114 years it better be GREAT. Overall not so good. First the first year i ran it, it cost 30.00 and there were no charity runners (which I believe are a bane to marathons) Let the BAA have a just charity marathon on the same course. The qualifying times now a days is a joke and will be thrown back when most people can't "GALLOWAY" a marathon, you know run a mile walk a mile you can do it. The weekend is fun especially watching the suckers pay 40.00 to run thwe 5k. Who said a fool and his money is parted was right 2000 times this year. If I were you and had run this once it won't change except the cost every three years. 150.00 fot the117th and you will get the same worthless shit."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2010

Jennifer L.
New York, NY

  (05-06-2010)

"Let's first clarify that my past marathon times most certainly weren't what qualified me for this year's Boston marathon. Instead, I participated and obtained my number as a charity runner on the American Liver Foundation\'s team. It allowed me the chance to both experience this legendary course and also raising money for a fantastic cause. I had watched this race many times during college at BC and finally had the chance to be part of it. So here we go...

Expo - Well organized and set up so that there was minimal wait to pick up the race bag and number. I liked that the time chips used are yours to keep so there was no need to worry about returning them at the finish and the shirts were pretty cool, long sleeve dri-fit. Vendors are the same ones you typically will find, they all blend together after a while.

Pre-Race - My charity had buses which drove us out to Athlete's Village in Hopkinton (the start of the race), but others not associated with one can either be dropped off or are able to hop on a ride from a few various points in downtown Boston. The waiting area is essentially a big grassy field in the back of a high school which has a few white tents pitched, race photographers, some sponsors (ie- Gatorade and Powerbar) and an announcer who gave instructions to the runners while playing music. Plan to bring a towel or float to sit on as you'll be there waiting and hanging out for 2+ hours. On your way to corrals, you drop your bag off at designated buses according to your number. Then you being your 0.7 mile walk to the start.

Race - Given the history of this race and the fact that it is run on Patriot's Day every year, there are enthusiastic crowds for the entire stretch of the race. We were also lucky to have absolutely perfect weather conditions. The course winds through the various towns and eventually ends up in downtown Boston. Along the way there are plenty of aid stations with both water and Gatorade at every mile. And I noticed a few medical stations where they passed out sticks of Vaseline if needed. There are some gradual inclines and declines throughout but the one stretch in particular that stands out is Heartbreak Hill or actually Hills as I like to remember it. I was under the impression it was one incline around mile 19, however, people fail to mention that there are actually 2 others before you hit the famous one. To be honest, none of them are terrible, but I think they get their name due to where they happen along the course. Maybe I was imagining things, but once I passed BC and Cleveland Circle where it was all supposed to be downhill, I think there were still some minor inclines. However, by that point, you are a few miles away from the end and you can feel and hear the energy that takes you over the finish line.

Overall, I would highly recommend this to anyone, whether they qualify on their own or run with a charity because it is definitely a unique experience and one I won\'t forget."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2010

Jason S.
Chicago, IL

  (04-21-2010)

"You can't say enough about the Boston Marathon. From top to bottom, from start to finish, this is hands-down the best marathon of which I have ever been a part. Just be sure to bring your own nutrition because there really isn't much on the course (one powerbar station about 18mi into the race and lots of fans that hand out treats). The history of this event is simply epic."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2010

shelly c.
redwood city, CA

  (10-01-2009)

"The best marathon ever...the course is awesome! RACE support to die for! Fans are the best...and the town is awesome! Heartbreak hill was not bad...it was the first hill at 15 ish that sorta thru a wrench into my race...coming into the finish on Boyleston was EPIC! RACE of a lifetime...I will be sure to ALWAYS BQ....until I die... ;-)"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Sean M.
Chico, CA

  (09-16-2009)

"This was the single most amazing running/racing experience I've ever had. From walking through the town of Hopkinton to the start to running past the ladies of Wellesley to the final push, this was a beautifully difficult, inspiring, and breathtaking event. The Newton Hills aren't all that much of a challenge--if you were just run them by themselves. But after 20 miles, they're truly what they're described as. And Heartbreak Hill? Historic, grinding, and a little on the painful side.

All in all, this guy from the West Coast would surely hop on the next flight to Boston in order to run the world's most historic marathon in a heartbeat--I'd just have to clear that with my family first."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Jenny V.
San Francisco, CA

  (08-20-2009)

"There's probably not much to say about this race that people don't already know. But it's one of those things everyone should experience at least once. The whole city gets marathon fever and you can really feel the energy everywhere you go. The race expo is the largest I've ever been to and very well organized despite the crowds. I would have to say that spectators lined the entire course from start to finish. Not only were they loud but there was music and food offered all along the course. The actual course itself is not bad and Heartbreak Hill is mild compared to the hills in San Francisco. The aid stations were very well placed on both sides of the course. The finish line gets a little crazy and it can be hard to find people.

Insider tip: If you're taking the regular shuttle to the start, dress warmly and bring a couple of blankets and/or something to sit on while you wait for your wave to be called. You can just check in your blanket with your bag. "

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Vickie L.
Cary, NC

  (08-18-2009)

"The Boston Marathon is a unique race. The mystique is palpable and crossing the finish line is unbelievable. You can just feel the history. That said, it is the hardest marathon (including Chicago, New York)to run. First of all, it's a straight 26.2 miles out. No loops, no turn arounds. Just 26.2 miles into Boston. Mentally, that was hard. The first 10m are slightly downhill which is tough on your quads. Heartbreak Hill is a series of gentle hills starting at mile 18 through mile 21. Brutal in every way.The crowds are amazing, though pretty thin in spots for the back of the pack runners like me. The expo is fantastic and you have to buy the official jacket!"

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2005

Melissa B.
Boston, MA

  (07-07-2009)

"I ran in 2007, when it rained, and was actually supposed to be snowing. The organization was fantastic. There were plenty of water stations with options along the course. When there was one on the right, one followed on the left, shortly after. The crowds were great throughout the entire course. From the starting line to the finish, there was never a location without at least some spectators, even in the rain. It was very easy for family members to find runners as well. There is always a Red Sox game that day as well. The start time of the game is linked to the marathon so game spectators are coming out of the game as the bulk of finishers are coming into the Kenmore area. This adds even more spectators which is great. "

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2007

Valerie K.
Boston, MA

  (05-27-2009)

"Does this race really need a review?!?! Boston was my first marathon ever (yes...I was a bandit runner), and it was a fantastic experience! Heartbreak Hill was not nearly as bad as I had expected (I didn't even know when it hit), and the crowds were amazing and totally unparalleled. I would recommend this to anyone even remotely interested in running a marathon.
"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2004

libgyrl .
minneapolis, MN

  (05-20-2009)

"What can one say about the Boston Marathon?! Amazing town, amazing history, amazing event...great expo, nice gear, super participants, and yummy cannoli in the North End for recovery snacking!

In 2008 we were graced with the women's Olympic trials. Talk about excitement. I'm not sure I'd want to have run the looping urban course those ladies did, but it made for great spectating.

The Expo is a bit crowded so plan to take your patience pills before entering. If you are traveling with people, plot a meeting point in case you get separated.

Race morning: get on an early bus! Every school bus for a multi-county radius must be on call and exiting from the interstate onto country roads into Hopkinton caused a bit of a back up. This caused some runner nervousness on the bus. We made it in plenty of time (on a mid-early bus), but no need to add extra jitters at that point.

The double wave start times are great and the narrow controlled starting corrals. Throw away clothes go to charity. Refreshments in the staging zone.

My training buddy and I hit the hills hard in preparation for Boston, not only hill repeats but making sure we did hilly long runs. I credit this with thinking the course was not really all that bad.

Wonderful spectators along the course...and ooh those Wellesley girls you can hear them coming and going. The energy only grows as you enter the city and what a grand finish."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2008

Laurey L.
Bronxville, NY

  (05-06-2009)

"What an amazing experience!!! After watching the marathon pass my college campus for 4 years, I decided to run as a "celebratory lap around the city" in honor of BC's Ice Hockey Championship in 2008 (won a week before the race). This race brings together a diverse community of runners: you have the elites, those who struggled to qualify, and the bandits dressed in superhero outfits all running their hearts out to Copley Square.

The course has so much character -- each town you run through has a different feel and the level of spectator excitement is amazing. There are small live bands, people giving you beer, updated Red Sox scoreboards, girls screaming for kisses at Wellesley (which you can hear from a mile away), and then the feeling when you get to the top of Heartbreak Hill and see BC - there's no feeling quite like it (I'm a little biased). And when you make that turn onto Boyleston - there's nothing closer to feeling like a pro athlete!

This is a GREAT race. And for anyone interested in running bandit, the early morning "spectator" busses are filled with bandit runners and will bring you close to the start. You can enjoy the elite starts from the start line, but eventually get the back of the last corral and you'll be good to go. Don't forget to chug a beer at BC :)"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2008

Geoff L.
San Mateo, CA

  (04-25-2009)

"Incredible experience. The whole state must show up for this event. There is a wall of spectators all along the route making the run very pleasant. The course itself is beautiful moving through neighborhoods with a multitude of personality. My recommendation when you're doing a race in a different time zone is to give yourself two days minimum to acclimate. I had a tough time sleeping the nite before (but i guess that could be nerves as well). I'd love to do this race again (but have to focus on qualifying again=P)"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2006