Boston Marathon

I did it last year and it was great fun.

We flew in on Friday evening. I went to the expo on Saturday morning. I should have probably flown on Friday morning and gone to the expo that day if I’m honest. The expo was ok. Adidas have basically pushed out all other running brands so their running gear is the only stuff available there. They also had another small pop-up in Copley Square. There were lots of other stands like you’d expect, various marathons, memorabilia etc. Then there was odd ball stuff like gutter covers, hair curlers.

The vast majority of brands have started opening their own pop ups in the city. Mostly along Boylston and Newbury.

Have your entered the BAA 5K on Saturday morning ? If you haven’t, its already sold out so can forget about that.

Shakeout runs – Lots of brands and running influencers/youtubers etc have group runs on the Saturday and Sunday. Usually about 5k or so. I was at a Puma one on the Saturday and I went to the Rabbit/Kofuzi one on the Sunday. These runs are open to everyone so if you have someone with you not doing the marathon, they will still get the chance to go out and run in a fun group. Most will also have some food and refreshments (coffee, water & beer) after them. I had beer at 10am after the Kofuzi run. I was there for a good time and not to do a PB so I enjoyed myself. Lots of these shakeouts will have free swag if you want it. Puma had Boston Tech T-shirts, Rabbit/Kofuzi had track bags. Rabbit also did a free raffle with tshirts, hoodies etc after the run. I would encourage you to do at east one of the runs. Its good craic.

You are right about Hopkinton. You are given a small clear bag in your big clear drop off bag. The small bag is the only bag allowed on the bus to Hopkinton. I wore my vaporflys around my neck. It was raining that morning so I put a shower cap over each of the shoes to keep them dry. At the athletes village there is a massive tent where you will wait until you are called for your walk to the start line. Lots of toilets there.

The start was slow but It was great craic. There was a huge amount of support along the course. The Wesley girls were brilliant fun. I wore a singlet with Ireland on the front. The amount of extra support you get when everyone is shouting for YOU is fantastic. I must have high 5’d everyone along the route. People go on about the Newton hills. They aren’t that bad to be honest. I had to be told I had gone over the famous Heartbreak hill.

The crowd builds as you get to the city. It is amazing. Then you have the two famous turns…. Right on Hereford and Left on Boylston.

You won’t be able to hear yourself think. It’s a wall of noise. You put in the final kick and race the bule line down Boylston. Raise your hands as you cross the finish line of one of the best marathons in the world.

Do not pause your watch until you are through and across the line. The finish has so many cameras so you don’t want to be busy stopping your garmin when you could be smiling and you looking up !

There is an official marathon after party. It has been in Fenway the last few years but I believe its changing location this year. The BAA will have more info about that on their website and socials.

Have you been to Boston before ? It’s a lovely city for running and walking around. Plenty of things to see. Its not like New York though where there are “sights” to see, like empire state, statue of liberty, etc. Boston is more of a historical sights kinda city.

I’m very fortunate that I have been to Boston quite a few times and don't have to sight-see any more. I was even there 4 times in 2023 between work and the marathon.

Have a great time. It really is a fantastic event ! I might even try and do it again in 2025 or 2026.

Here is an aerial picture from Hopkinton. You can see the Boston skyline on the distance ! It really looks a long long way away ! 😄

Just a tip for when in Hopkinton, if its wet bring old shoes, socks and talcum powder, your feet will thank you and it is so much easier to get dry socks onto damp feet using plenty of talc, oh and a big bin bag to sit on in the tents which manage to get quite damp if the weather is bad.

That's a fantastic post.

I may have to borrow some extra fingers to cross for 2025 after reading that.

I have a Q time but hoping enough of a buffer (4:13).

I'm guessing it's the rain/weather or not wanting to wear super shoes waiting to race. Between arriving to the bag drop buses and starting in Hopkinton it's about 3 hours of wait, bus, wait.

Yes, get the 7 day Charlie card, the silver line is free from the airport to the city but after that the card is very useful. For the convention center I would recommend getting off at Boston common and walking boylston, the buzz is deadly. Thousand of happy faces coming and going, bags on back.

Released a few seconds apart . Being at the front of the coral won't help as the tail of the other is right in front when released, the first 5 miles last year were jammed, very very hard to make a move. Awesome atmosphere though, rain and wind couldn't dampen the spirits

You need to be really strict with yourself pacing wise for the first 5 or 6 miles, it's very deceptive, there are some rollercoaster sections early on and you think the hilly bits might keep you in check but it's net downhill. You see loads of runners almost cooked before the right turn at the firestation at 17 miles……thats when the real fun starts.

For anyone looking to qualify for 2025 this is a great post...

https://joesgottarun.medium.com/an-attempt-to-predict-the-cutoff-time-for-the-2025-boston-marathon-787701712257

SW wind of around 15kmph, 9 degrees at 10am, no more than 12 degrees at 1pm, dry and pretty overcast. Enjoy 😎

I know it's a week away by Yr is forecasting 25C on Monday afternoon in Boston. That definitely did not figure in my training plan 😬

Best of luck today guys, enjoy every minute

Those reports have me itching for another crack at it, fair play lads.

I don't even want to see mine but 20 minutes sounds about right

Jaysus lads. Fantastic weekend.

Article online says that nearly 9% of runners ended up getting medical attention due to heat. The forecasters got it wrong - it was closer to 25 degrees with no shelter.

I was holding my pace nice and steady and super disciplined from the get go but realised at the 10 mile mark that my legs were dead. It was sapping the life out them without being able to do much about it. Maintaining my normal MP would have been no problem at any other flat major but those inclines and declines just took it out of me and then throw in the intense sun on the back. When I saw runners in the red wave ahead of me slowing down/walking/on the ground, it just became a survival exercise. Not a day for heroics. It was like being chucked into a washing machine for 3 hours.

A good 20 mins off a PR 17 mins positive split.

I want to go back. I'd almost go back just to watch. Going to target another BQ end of summer to beat the cut off.

Talking to a few guys and reading post race comments it’s clear that the guys from the southern hemisphere seemed to have fewer problems. I live in the US near Philadelphia were we’ve had a cold and wet spring. No doubt being better acclimated would have helped.

That being said, I don’t remember running well in anything above 60. I also was running from wave 3.

I was shooting for ~3:10 came in 3:23 after. I have 14 friends on my tracker - all from the same area so have had the same weather, All missed their goals by 6 minutes to maybe 40. All reported cramping as the issue.