Beantown Marathon Reviews

  Can't Beat the Heat and Humidity

By M about 2023

Review

It's well organized and the personal fueling station option is great. The course is ok with a hill that does seem to be steeper every time you go up it. The conditions were horrible, at 72 degrees and 96% humidity for the start. I think you would need to be capable of 20 to 30 minutes faster than your BQ time given the conditions. Given the climate trends I fear this weather will be the new normal

  No frills BQ race

By SG about 2022

Review

Beantown is a well organized no frills race. Plenty of parking, bathrooms, and your own aid station. It's a 6 loop course with a hill that seems to get bigger each loop. I would suggest training on a loop since so much of it is a mind game. I do think their BQ percentage is falsely elevated, because a majority of people are running to qualify, many drop out mid way through if they aren't on pace (I think this year they said ~250+ registered and only 200 finished- granted the weather was brutal). Looking at my age group there were no female qualifiers.

Race Tips

There is some gravel/ dirt trail. Bring your own post race fuel very little post race food.

  Fast Marathon - Not best for First Timers

By SW about 2018

Review

This is a good course, the loops have enough variability to keep them from being repetitive. The only downside is that the support is low and because people are finishing fast if you are over 3:30hrs you might be running alone for the last part of it. Also there was no real after party. People finished got their medals and went home.

Race Tips

You bring your own fuel and run in loops. It's fairly bare bones, but the course is beautiful and varying.

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

Plan to drive in and drive out. It's definitely a come, run, go home type of event.