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.

Kelly's review of 2024 race.   

Review

This course is a point to point with an elevation drop of 1000ft. The expo was great. The throwaways gloves were a major plus and the shirts were nice. Staying at the host hotel is key (if you are out of town). Busses pick up from 4:30-5:15. Go early! I walked out of the hotel at 4:45 and the bus line was LONG! didn't get to the start until 6:05 with the bus line wait and drive. There were adequate porta potties and the heaters at the start were really great. Bag drop off was super easy. Everyone was very kind and encouraging. My only and biggest complaint is that there was a delay at the start but ZERO communication about it. I warmed up and was expecting to start at 6:30 but sat in the cold rain for 20 minutes. Then all of a sudden people ahead of me started moving - there was no warning! no opportunity to warm up again or get ready! The first 4 miles are an elevation drop of 400 ft. Be careful not to go out too fast like I did. Miles 5-6 are uphill but it is very gradual. It really wasn't that bad at all and you are running towards a mountain which is cool. You then descend from 7-12 more gradually. The route is beautiful. It flattens out around 12.5 and you are on very wide roads with plenty of room. I felt safe the whole time. There isn't as much scenery on the back half but there was lots of crowd support. Our year it got rainy and was very cold, but I know that isn't normal for the desert. There was water and gatorade about every 2 miles. There were at least 4-5 water stops with gu roctane and 2-3 with oranges. I never felt like there wasn't enough fuel/water. Volunteers were really great. I would highly recommend this race. It is very fast. I got my BQ by almost 10 minutes. I was really only expecting to get it by 5-7 minutes. Medals were bland, but honestly who cares! I got a BQ.

Race Tips

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

mikeaubz's review of 2024 race.   

Review

Love the early start, beautiful residential area going down hill first 4 miles, 5 and 6 up then downhill again flattens out second half on highways in commercial and strip malls type area to a beautiful finish.

Race Tips

Run by feel!

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

Sheraton is right at finish line, expo is there and buses across the street to take you to start.

Mike Aubz's review of 2023 race.   

Review

Great start with stunning views of huge cacti and desert. Fireworks to start amd gradual downhill half with about a mile and half of uphill that is not too bad. Second half is more residential and city highway so not as picturesque. Great expo at Sloan baseball park, great finish with beer tent and nice swag u can get. Bonus Sheraton hotel is 100m from finish line and bus pick up! 5 star race

Race Tips

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

Sheraton hotel, 100m from finish line

MJ's review of 2023 race.   

Review

I have run 30+ marathons, including 8 Bostons. This was the best! There were plenty of porta-potties and electric tiki lights for warmth at the start. Runners were allowed to remain on the buses, but the weather was warm enough that outside waiting was comfortable. The race started on a dark,mystical mesa lined with enormous cacti. As we descended, we could see the lights of Mesa below. The initial descent was not so steep that I could not take full advantage. The "hill" at 5-6 miles was also gradual. After the halfway point the course was basically flat, and like all marathons it was a bit boring at the end as we ran past strip malls. The course was mostly straight, but all turns were well marked so that runners could find the tangent. The surface was all paved roads in good shape. Water and Gatorade were provided every 2 miles. I only encountered one Gu stop at 17 miles. You should probably bring your own gels. There were also no clocks on the course, so a good sports watch is a must. There were well-staffed pace groups at 15 minute intervals. I had my race bib sent to me in advance, so I did not attend the Expo. The race shirt was well-fitted and did not contain advertisements. The finisher's metal commemorated the Phoenix bird . The age-group award was a skimpy patch, but I did get a nice luggage tag because I BQ'ed. I did a "post pandemic" PR, and qualified for Boston.

Race Tips

Nutrition: plan to pack your own gels or other food
Time: plan to wear a sports watch to track elapsed time/ pace

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

Hotel: The Marriott is lovely but both in the morning and after finishing the race, the main roads between the hotel and the race were blocked. (Rio Salado, University) It might be better to stay in one of the hotels in Riverbend Park near the start/finish, unless you don't mind a little walk.

KH's review of 2020 race.   

Review

Great race overall. Expo is about as expected for a marathon of this size. LOOONG lines for the porta-potties at the start. Zero corral organization meant that there were lots of slower runners close to the front; in a marathon of this size, that meant about 3 mi of jockeying for position, dodging people, trying to catch up with pace group (if relevant), etc. I wish the start were organized in corrals or waves to reduce the unnecessary running around at the beginning, but other than that, it was awesome.

Race Tips

Be really careful not to do the first four miles too fast; adrenaline is up, they're super downhill, and the temptation to jackrabbit the start is high. Mi 4.5-6 is a long slow climb (2-4% grade the whole way). Lots more mega-downhill mi 6-9, so once again, pace carefully to save quads for the flatlands from 10-ish on.

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

Highly recommend getting dropped at the start rather than trying to park; just use an Uber or have family drop you off. Also, much easier to be dropped off at the Starbucks or something (NE or SE corner of Dobson and Bass Pro) and then cross Dobson to the buses rather than pulling into the parking area and getting stuck there. This was my first year doing this race and everyone said to get an early bus so there would be no line for the potties, which I did. I caught a bus about 4:45 and was at the start probably 5:15 or so. No trouble using a potty. And then, because this is how excretory systems work, I had to go to the bathroom again at 6:00, and the lines were long. Would have been just as easy to stay home a little longer, get a later bus, and have spent less time in the cold trying to stay warm pre-race since the last-minute potty stop was inevitable. Unless you're able to pee 1.5 hours ahead of time and then not need to go again, there's no way around the fact that 1) you'll need to use the bathroom at 6-6:15, and 2) the lines will be long. Use a flashlight on your phone, go off 20 feet into the desert, and water a cactus, you know?