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.

BQ's review of 2023 race.   

Review

First time running this marathon (have run Boston multiple times, Napa etc). Overall- positive review of the race and the course. Well organized, plenty of water stops, nice volunteers, it's Maine. In 2023 there was a great tailwind and cool conditions. Road conditions were fine, traffic was a non-issue (I am use to city running), the only thing I didn't love was the road is not flat in a lot of places- I don't mean hills I mean it's Maine, so the road is pitched for rain/snow so when you are on the shoulder (which is clean asphalt) it is angled off the road so you are not always running flat. Would recommend the race, would consider doing it again, thought it was a pretty fast course. LOVE the finishers medals which are burned wood on a leather string- so much cooler than generic metal junk. Well done on the details.

Race Tips

I did not find the hills that bad at all- you will look at the profile and get scared, but if you have experience and do some hill training you will be fine. Yes, they are good hills, but they are not killers. For reference off an overall pre-race target pace goal of 7:15/mile I was: Mile 8 +9s , Mile 9 + 40s, Mile 10 +27s (then make it up on the backside). This should be a classic negative split race (obviously if you look at the map) and your quads hold. Only about 500 people run the race- but it's a runners race. Overall was impressed by the speed of runners, though it's small so in the second half you are quite possibly running alone, perhaps near people, but not not nec in a pack.

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

There were two dudes putting their skies in their car at number picked because there was still snow on Sugarloaf.........yeah.......

DD's review of 2023 race.   

Review

The best part of this race was the volunteers. They were awesome on every level! From packet pickup to water stops to finish line. They were friendly and helpful. One volunteer even gave my friend a ride back up the mountain to our hotel after she finished!!

What I didn't like though, is the medals. A wood chip with a Sugarloaf stamp--and same thing for the 15k. Nothing special or different in the shirts or medals between the 15k and the marathon.

The course was absolutely beautiful! I saw a waterfall, a river ran close to us for much of the race, the trees were beautiful, there were quaint little towns with cute little houses. It really helped pass the miles.

Race Tips

I thought the first part would be difficult and then after mile 10 you just coast to the finish. Not so!!! It's hilly all the way, up and down. Just more down after mile 10. Prepare for hills!!! The shuttle situation must have gotten straightened out because we didn't have any issues. We also enjoyed staying warm on the bus before the start!

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

I would have liked to stay at the Sugarloaf, that would make logistics easier. But if you rent a car it's fine to park and catch the shuttle at the Sugarloaf.

PFC's review of 2023 race.   

Review

Great hometown race. Feels more like a local 5k than a marathon, in a good way. Great volunteers and logistically its fine, point to point so you have to take a bus from the finish all the way to the start and then stand around for 45 minutes. That may have been the only negative- they collected drop bags with 30+ minutes remaining. I hadn't changed out of my warm gear yet and quickly threw everything on and then was kind of like standing there for another 15 minutes in the cold. No big production at the start just "go".

Race Tips

Course is hilly all the way through 10. The big hill is big and long and you have already kind of started climbing it by mile 5. The downhill on the back half is deceiving because you basically lose a majority of the elevation in a very steep half mile then you are back on what seems like rolling for the rest of the race, though with a slight downhill lean. There are still hills on the backside, but def a neg split situation. If you are looking for a BQ this is a good one. Just for reference I went out pacing 6:40/mile and hit the first half slightly faster than that even with the hills at 6:30. Backside I averaged 6:20's after linking up with two guys who were pushing. I hung on with them until the last 5k and then strung out between them.

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

Logistics suck as its in the middle of nowhere maine. You either stay at the sugarloaf hotel for $400+ a night, rent a house, or stay 1hr+ away in like farmington. I slept in my truck in the parking lot of sugarloaf, which wasnt an awful choice. Not a ton of restaurants other than at the mountain. But if you can swing it, this is a good race.

John's review of 2022 race.   

Review

It's a well run small marathon. Spectators can leapfrog you from cheer zone to cheer zone on the course easily. If you don't die on the way up the mountain the downhill last 16 miles will push you to the finish.

Race Tips

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

RM's review of 2019 race.   

Review

This is a great small town marathon, beautiful scenery and fast course if you've trained well for the downhill and run smart. Race start was just a gun going off, no announcements including not letting us know about the late start. Volunteers were amazing, especially the ones in the food tent after.

Race Tips

I ran negative splits here, more conservative on the first half and faster second half. One big uphill around mile 8, the rest was smaller or not noticeable. Several big downhills but it doesn't feel downhill after mile 20 or so, so be ready for that.

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

The shuttle from Sugarloaf was a disaster, the race started late because they weren't getting people there on time. 100's of runners waiting for a shuttle while 2 tiny buses drove back and forth to the start 12 miles away. Got a ride from a family member instead of waiting but still got there late and was rushed.