The (North American) Original Marathon
Written: Apr 24 '00 (Updated Apr 28 '00)
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Pros: The BOSTON MARATHON
Cons: 26.2 miles
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| LegalOpinion's Full Review: Boston Marathon |
The Boston Marathon is the granddaddy of all marathons in the United States and it is still one of the most respected and competitive marathons in the world.
Not everyone can run Boston. There are qualifying times to be admitted. They aren't impossible, but some may find them challenging. You can learn the qualifying times from their website: www.bostonmarathon.org
The entry fee is approximately $75.00 (although this is subject to change). The race always takes place on Patriot's Day. This is a Massachusetts state holiday. The marathon weekend engulfs the city. There is fantastic food to eat and sites to see around Boston, making the Boston Marathon experience that much more fun. It is a true city event.
Runners and family/friends begin the weekend at the race expo. This is held at the Prudential Center/Hayes Convention Center. First, runners pick up their numbers and then register their ChampionChip timing device. Then onto two halls full of vendors and race directors. You will be bent over from all the free goodies you pick-up here. Plus there are extra shirts, hats, posters and other memorabilia to buy.
The race begins outside of Boston in the town of Hopkinton at 12:00 noon. Participants take shuttle bus rides from downtown Boston to the start (buses leave from 6:00 am to 8:00 am - the lower your race number the longer you can sleep in) . This is the only real way to the start as roads are closed near Hopkinton. Only registered runners may board the buses so family members/friends don't really have a chance to join the runners at the start of the race.
At the start, runners converge on the Hopkinton High School yard. Here, you will find a couple large tents and some coffee and bagels. There is usually bands performing to help pass the time. Also there are some race stations and a first aid tent. And, of course, about 26.2 miles worth of lines leading to the hundreds of port-o-johns.
From the school, runners begin walking to the start, a few blocks away. Along the way you will toss your bags in the sag buses to be reclaimed at the end of the race. This is very well organized with each window of the bus having a range of race numbers through which runners with matching race numbers will toss their clothes bags.
Weather at the start can range greatly. I have done Boston 3 times - the first was cold and it started pouring rain from mile 18 to the finish. The second was about 80 degrees at the start. The last was 45 degrees with a 10-15 miles headwind.
Once you get to the start, you will enter "staging areas" which, again, corresponds to your race number. The faster runners of course get closer to the start. The atmosphere before the starting gun is great - everyone smiling and supporting one another. There is plenty of energy bars and vaseline floating around.
Once the gun goes off the race takes you up and down the hills from Hopkinton to Boston. I say up and down because Boston is not the fastest course. The beginning, despite rolling hills, is fast and you can burn yourself out if you're not careful. Near mile 18, Heartbreak Hill (or actually hills) begin. These last for a couple of miles. They are not major hills, but after 18 miles of up and down running, your legs will feel them.
If I can pick one word that is symbolic of Boston, its support. I have never run any other race where so many people come out to cheer the runners on - the entire 26.2 miles. Some areas have more people than others, but it is almost non-stop shoulder-to-shoulder crowd support - even in poor weather! You will know you are nearing Wellesley College about a half mile before you get there. The hundreds of screaming co-eds will make this one of your fastest miles. It is unbelievable.
The closer you get to the end, the deeper the crowds become. Finally, you turn the corner and there is the finish. No matter how many marathons I've run, it is a very unique and thrilling experience to cross the Boston Marathon finish line. Turn in your ChampionChip and receive your finishers' medal. What a feeling. There will also be plenty of drinks and food, mylar blankets and support staff if you need it.
Boston's course is not the fastest course, but its also not the hardest. Boston Marathon 2000 was the 104th running of the race. If you are a runner, you should try to do this race once in your life. I guarantee you, it will be an experience you will never forget.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
LegalOpinion
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Member: Alan
Location: San Francisco, California
Reviews written: 99
Trusted by: 16 members
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