Race Reviews

NG's review of 2024 race.   

Review

I have the same opinion with others, but this is poorly organized. The distance is not correctly measured, and the route is complex but pooly signed. The half marathon distance in this race in 2022 was nearly 13.5 miles. It is unclear if we run on the right or left on a narrow trail, so we will need to find a path to avoid runners running in the opposite direction! Route signes are on the road only, so we could also take a wrong route.

Race Tips

Competitive runners should not run in the race. In addition to the chance of taking a wrong route, there are lots of hills and steep turns.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

JB's review of 2018 race.   

Review

I was looking for a smaller race. Although this race was small, it was poorly organized and executed. The expo was outside in the rain and wind. The course marshals were not alert ( sleeping, kissing, etc.) The course was crazy- very hilly and then a hill at the end (after mile 25.) I heard from another runner it was measured wrong ( 26.6 miles)!

Race Tips

Do tons of hill training. Don't expect to use a porta-potty. There were not enough, and spectators were in line in front of marathoners. Bring warm clothes and your own food.

or just do Philadelphia instead

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Charlottesville is a beautiful city with lots of running stores, paths, etc. Charlottesville 10 miler is an awesome race which is why I thought this would be better. Easy to get a hotel and get to start. Start and finish at same location with available parking. Some of the course includes trail running.

Adam Devine's review of 2017 race.   

Review

I ran this race on a whim, signing up the day before with my wife while on the train down to Charlottesville for a wedding. She signed up for the half marathon. I was in the middle of training for an ultra, and I was planning on doing a 22 mile tun that day anyway, so I decided to give it a go.

Pros: The course is beautiful! I used to live in Cville and the course winds through some of the prettier parts. There was plenty of water, gatordade, and gels on the course. As someone who is used to New York Road Runners events the pre and post-race festivals were small, but relatively well run affairs with very friendly staff. The course was well marked, and the portable toilets were clean.

Cons: Not enough Port-A-Potties! At the start there was a HUGE line for the one set of bathrooms. The course is wicked hilly, and seems to be a little sadistic in the fact that they put a huge incline right at the end. There were a couple of points on the course where drivers annoyingly honked at runners because roads were not fully shut down.

Overall: A great small town marathon. The only major hiccup was the line to poop pre-race. I missed the start by 4 minutes because I was waiting to use the loo.

Race Tips

Pace yourself extra conservatively. The really hilly bits are near the end, and toward the warmer part of the day, so it is tough.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Arrive to the festival early, drop your bag early, and poop early. Just stay at the OMNI downtown if you can get a room. It's a nice hotel and super close to the race start. Grab some bagels at Bodos while you're in town.

RB's review of 2017 race.   

Review

I am usually slow to criticize but...Pre race packet pick up was just pathetic. Parking was nearly impossible just to get there, general atmosphere of people was "what are you even doing here". Beautiful start, beautiful rolling course.

Race Tips

Bring your own TP if you are not staying at a hotel w/in walking distance of start.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Lots of places to stay, closer to start would be best. Good luck on parking.

Nate's review of 2013 race.   

Review

The course is very scenic and the town has a great atmosphere. The race, unfortunately, is very poorly organized -- in 2013 the mile markers did not seem to be accurate (some with GPS watches indicated that mile marker 2 was actually closer to 2.5, for example), and the course lacked clocks reflecting time elapsed since the start. I've tried this race twice but won't be back, since it seems its organization hasn't improved.

Race Tips

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Hp's review of 2024 race.   

Review

For the most part, this was a very well run marathon. The volunteers and organization is a well oiled machine. That said, you were only allowed to board the buses to Hopkinton based on for your wave. So although I got to the buses quite early I had to board along with the rest of the runners in my wave. Our bus got off the freeway, and continue to follow the other buses to Hopkinton. At some point, one of the buses took a wrong turn and our bus along with several others follow them. It took about 20 minutes to get us back on route and by the time we got off the bus there was no extra time to go to the bathroom and we had to run to the line. We ended up running over a half mile to the start and it was our time to start the race. Incredibly stressful and frustrating. I wish the race allowed for more of a cushion so that if there Any sort of snafu runners would still have the opportunity to use the bathroom at the very least. After spending four years and a lot of money to get to this place, I was surprised at the oversight.

Race Tips

Because the race doesn't allow the runners to arrive at athletes Village before their wave, I'm not sure what a runner could do to prevent this. I'm disappointed that the race didn't have some sort of way to ensure the buses were going the right way.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

The bus ride is long so I would definitely use the bathrooms in Boston before boarding.

AVGS's review of 2024 race.   

Review

Not sure what happened, but the organization was off this year. Beginning with the expo, long lines for literally everything. Spent likely 20 minutes standing in line just to my bib. Have not seen that before. Expo was an absolute madhouse - could be due to the timing (not long after doors opened on Friday) - but people were literally shoving each other to get through the Adidas area. Not an enjoyable experience as in years past.

Bag drop is close to the finish, but a decent walk from the bus loading area. As mentioned, this is strictly for post-race as anything you take to Hopkinton will be left there (or on the course). Left my phone in my bag, which many folks do. Appeared to be only one entry into the bus area, which was on the north side of the Common (Beacon and Charles). This made for a bit of a mob scene getting through to the bus loading area in addition to a bit of a walk. I feel like there were more entry points in the past, but not sure. Good idea to use the bathroom here as opposed to post-bus ride, because you just don’t know how long it will take to get and there or how long the lines will be in the Village.

Waited in a very long line to board the bus. Have not seen that before either. Lengthy bus ride, maybe 40 minutes? Very nearly missed my start wave. Our bus also got semi-lost and dropped us off a ways away from Athlete's Village. We appeared to be headed further away and had to ask the driver to let us off. Again, lengthy walk to start area, which had me over 2 miles total before the race even started.

After that, all good. On course race support and volunteers were excellent. Crowd support was intense this year - perhaps more so because it was sunny and warm! Post-race support was excellent as well. Not too difficult to get to my bag and exit the area. I had somewhere to be, so I walked several blocks away and grabbed an Uber, which was quick and easy.

Random gripe: the legendary finisher's medal was cheap compared to recent years and "Bank of America" was etched right on the front. Unnecessary and off-brand for this race, which will outlive Bank of America. Everyone knows they took over this year, it need not be memorialized in the medal, which is about the achievement, not the sponsor. Fix that next year please.

Race Tips

No one likes a headwind, but the slight tailwind coupled with warm temps presented their own challenge. Most folks I've talked to had the same experience: full-on dripping with sweat by 4 miles. I required significantly more fluid than normal, but there are plenty of lengthy aid stations with ample room to get one or two drinks and keep pace. There is zero shade on the course, but there were numerous volunteers with sunscreen at the start area.

Boston is a big deal for nearly everyone out there. Accordingly, fellow runners can seem very self-involved. The majority are hyper-focused on the task at hand and that can be off-putting to first-timers who may be used to a more communal atmosphere. The B.A.A. volunteers are phenomenal, however, and this more than makes up for it. All seem genuinely excited for you and are eager to assist with anything. One upside of challenging conditions is connections made with other runners. Folks engage more with their comrades when the going gets tough and PR is off the table.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Try to book early to get the best rates, $500/night is about the best you can expect for a hotel in the areas you want to be. Parking, etc will add cost. The lines and logistical challenges this year added mileage and time, but, more importantly, made race day very stressful. Stay close to the start area to reduce the number of variables (and pre-race walking). Don't go to the expo right when it opens. Do find a club/store/company for a group shakeout on Saturday or Sunday. Book your Sunday night Italian feast in the North End early. Dozens of excellent places, but also 25,000 folks with friends and family looking to do the same thing. I'd say show up on Saturday and leave Tuesday.

DEL's review of 2022 race.   

Review

The energy throughout the entire weekend is incredible. Everyone in the city is excited - runners and fans alike. Lots of lodging options - all very expensive, so factor that in. If possible, just make a weekend out of it, see a bunch of sights, and amortize the cost as a much-needed vacation.

Race Tips

You will see comments about the crowded start - which actually lasts about 10K. Honestly not much of an issue because you're moving with a pretty fast crowd (unlike other races where you may have to pick your way through for a while until you can set your own pace). Not a quad-smashing downhill like some of the western races, but enough to make you feel like a hero through 16 miles. The hills aren't as bad as people say, but they aren't insignificant either. IMO, Heartbreak is not actually the worst hill. You'll wanna hit the gas coming off HB - and you can for while, but then it gets into very slight rollers that are enough to prevent you from feeling too comfortable and gunning it in for the last 5. Unless you get paid to run - and happen to be winning the race - don't get too fixated on pace as your come into Brookline and Boston. Keep your head up, enjoy the crowds, soak it in - particularly as you make the turns onto Hereford and Boyleston. Intense and the high church of amateur running.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Recommend staying near Boston Common - close to bus loading and finish. Bag Check is there, but is of limited utility because anything you take on the bus (to Hopkinton) will not be returned. So, check your bag with whatever non-valuables you want immediately post-race, if you plan to celebrate in the area (which you should do).

Jenn's review of 2022 race.   

Review

26.2 mile block party with amazing crowd support! Aid stations were on point (Maurten and water and Gatorade)!

Watch the train tracks - saw a women go down hard.

The corrals were very crowed and the first mile was soooooo stressful.

Race Tips

Don't go out too fast and train for those Newton Hills - they are to be respected!

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Carlos J. Gueiros's review of 2021 race.   

Review

`2021 was my first Borathon, with a PR! I trained accordingly, giving importance to hills and on top of that, racing after after running hills. I was able to control my pace on the first 30k and by the time the Newton Hills arrived, that's where the party started. And as soon as you finish them, it's a miler countdown to glory. Staff was impecable, Expo and pre/post race events very well organized. It wasn't very cold (some bad reviews from 2018 are weather-related) and he rolling start was the best thing they could do, for Covid Safety and waiting times. According to your bib, elitle, red, white, blue.. you had a certain time to pick the bus and, for me, I was still at the bus (9:15am) when elite was already racing. I just had to approach the starting line and start running whenever I wanted. No aglomerations at all!

Race Tips

Save energy untl the uphills start, cheer with the crowd on the hardest moments and have a good supplementation strategy (carbs and water). Boston started a partnership with Gu, so there's also gel during the corse.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Boston restaurant week to eat your pasta/carb on the days before the race. Bring a jacket (in some cases pants) before race start, to donate. Masks were giving before loading the bus and being discarted before race start. A new mask was given after the finish. Since the organization provide buses that take you to the start, you can meet whoever you want at the family area near the finish line, or even at the closest metro station besides Copley that is the one that closes on rac day. Have some snacks for the raceday as well to eat before the race starts, according to your strategy, so you don't start in fasting.