Race Reviews

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.

Hk's review of 2023 race.   

Review

This is a fast course. I agree with many that CIM is the best race for BQ and PR. The stat speaks for itself. Some people may talk about the rolling hills of the first half. I didn't notice any uphill in the first half. True that I noticed the uphill of the bridge somewhere after mile 20. But it is a small one. Not a big deal. The 2023 weather was awesome. It can rain in this time of the year.

Race Tips

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

Many people recommend staying in the Sacramento downtown. But I'm happy that I stayed in Foltham, near the start line. I could sleep longer there. There is a Whole Foods Market., so I knew what to get. There is a Costco store, so I could top up gasoline. What else do I need the night before the race day?

Russell Y.'s review of 2023 race.   

Review

Very well organized and managed. Excellent support stations. Lovely fall colors make up for the middle long strip mall stretches down Fair Oaks Blvd. Finishing at the Capitol is very scenic and inspiring. Big expo.

Race Tips

If you're used to small/medium races, this is a big one, which means a huge crowd at the start and lots of people on the course. Just go with the flow. Lots of strong runners at many different paces. We had an excellent pacer (for 3:45). Had good weather (cool, broken clouds) but of course Dec. is a gamble for rain. Terrain is pretty much a non-factor, though hitting the slope of the J Street bridge at mi 22 triggered a calf cramp for me. (Next time: more bent-knee calf raises to work those soleuses!)

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

Stayed in Folsom at the lovely Lake Natoma Inn (then my wife drove herself to Sac). Would have been worth coming a day early to enjoy the grounds and surrounds. No, it is not easily walkable from the Inn to the start; there was an official shuttle bus from the Inn.

The line for the BQ bell is super long, haha!

AG's review of 2022 race.   

Review

2022 race had rain forecast.. but rain largely stayed away just between the marathon start and finish... High humidity, but low temp ensured no impact to race strategy. Excellent course support throughout the race with lots of supporters on either side cheering runners on. Course has lots of rolling hills.. even though you only accumulate 600 odd feet gain thru the race, this can be a problem for some looking for a flat or downhill course. Race doesn't have waved starts, so you get a crowded race through out the 26.2miles.. which is personally great.. Running amidst constant company. Highly recommend this race

Race Tips

Maintain an even effort throughout the race. Dont put money in the bank.. never works. Rolling hills will take a bit of thought to deal with.. Vary strides and help legs stay fresh so you can leverage the flat finish. Prepare for an occasional rain/drizzle..

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

Staying in Folsom got us extra 30-40min sleep. We stayed in the cluster of hotels (Courtyard Marriott, Hampton Inn etc) near Whole Foods (Bus location D).. hotels were relatively cheap and nicer and lots of good sit down places to eat and carbload the prev night

Kyrah Ayers's review of 2021 race.   

Review

Excellent race. Well organized, beautiful scenery, great volunteer and crowd support. Fast course!

Race Tips

Don't let the early downhills get you carried away.

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

Book hotels early. If you're coming with family, book in downtown Sacramento or nearby. Try to stay the night after the race. The check out on race day procedure can be a logistical nightmare.

KW's review of 2021 race.   

Review

I absolutely loved everything about this race. From the expo to the race support, everything was on point, including the weather! This is without a doubt the best marathon I've ever run, and definitely recommend to anyone who wants to run a fantastic course with great support!

Race Tips

If you prepare for this race, you can do well! The course is fair..you do need to train on hills for sure but the downhills balance them out. Definitely hold back at the beginning and work your way up from there. You'll be glad you did during the last 10k, which is essentially flat but your legs will start missing the downhills. If you like to run with pacers don’t hesitate, they are some of the best!

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

Definitely stay in the downtown Sacramento area. You can literally walk to everything, including the expo and bus pickup area. Lots of amazing restaurants to choose from.