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Boston Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Boston Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.6 
Organization 4.6 
Spectators 4.9
Number of comments: 418 [displaying comments 91 to 101]
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J. H. from Salt Lake City, Utah
(4/26/2010)
"Amazing spectator support" (about: 2010)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Boston Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I thought this was a beautiful course to run. I wish I had known in advance that it was as hilly as it was. From reading, it seemed like a very gradual downhill with one big hill near the end to go up. This is what I trained for... LOL. My quads took a beating from all of the hills. Cons of this race: #1. The number of toilets availabe during the race was very, very small. #2 The packet pick up was expensive; we had to spend $30 in parking just to go get the packet. On the outside of the parking it said, "Special $19," but on the way out they took the sign down and the girl pointed to the sign and said this is the price... not to mention that someone tried to break into our car and the facility shugged their shoulders and did not care. Yes, we parked in the facility right under the mall where the packet pick up was and in the suggested spot. What I learned: Just expect to pay a lot in Boston. #3 The expo was absolute, complete madness... very fun but WAY over-crowded. A suggestion of something I wish they could do but I understand why they don't (given the number of runners) is to have volunteers place the medal around your neck after you cross the finish line and get your picture taken with it. (My husband couldn't even come close to seeing me cross the finish line because the crowds were so tight.) The waiting in line after a race to pick up your medal just seems so impersonal. Positive things: #1. Beautiful course. #2. You couldn't ask for better specatators. I have never seen so many out to cheer runners on - amazing. #3 Just that it was Boston - a major marathon you have to qualify for, and all of the really fast runners were there. Great experience!! | |
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G. D. from South MS
(4/24/2010)
"A must-do if you qualify" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 A great experience in Boston (my 16th marathon). I was most shocked and impressed with the knowledgeable average citizens of Boston. They even know a marathon is 26.2 miles - totally refreshing. The race organization is fantastic. The volunteers are around in high numbers - thank you, volunteers. Wellesley was my favorite part. The town and the girls were great. As a female, I wasn't expecting the girls to "get me excited," but as I ran through I had chill bumps. It was amazing. Keep the tradition going. I had thought the 10:30 a.m. start would be an issue, but I practiced a later start for 5-6 of my long runs and it wasn't a problem, and ended up being nice to sleep in until 6:00 on marathon day. For me the course was VERY hilly. I was expecting it to be bad from 16-21, but the hills were nonstop from 1-26. The course is not very scenic, but with all of the spectators that is ok. The history of this one, the Bostonians, and the Wellesley girls make this a must-do. | |
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Ray Szymanski from Ohio
(4/23/2010)
"Should be #1 on everyone's Bucket List!" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Boston Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 If you have not run Boston then you have not lived. Having done Big Sur, Marine Corps, and others, there is nothing that compares with the aura of this race or the look in the eyes of every competitor as the start approaches. Then the world's best fans provide fuel throughout the 26.2-mile journey. The colorful race jackets identify the brotherhood/sisterhood in the days after the race, silently yet proudly announcing, "I ran Boston!" | |
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J. B. from Saline, Michigan
(4/23/2010)
"First-class marathon and first-class spectators." (about: 2010)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Boston Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first Boston Marathon and it was the best race I've ever been a part of. The organization is first-class and the spectators and volunteers are the best! The kids on the side of the course handing out oranges and giving high fives are awesome! It is well worth the hard work and effort to qualify for this Magical Marathon. | |
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M. K. from New York
(4/23/2010)
"All-around quality race" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Boston Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my second Boston Marathon having run it for the first-time last year. What makes this race special to me is the history, as well as the fact that you need to qualify to get in (unless you're a charity runner). While the race can give the appearance of being congested early on, you find that all the people around you are running about the same pace so there is little need for weaving. The use of the wave system really helps to space the runners out. I give my highest marks to the organization of the race and the seemingly endless army of enthusiastic volunteers that you encounter from packet pickup till they hand you your bag back at the end. This year, they still had men's medium shirts left at packet pickup unlike last year, so that eliminates my one gripe. I would also have liked an indoor spot to have the pre-race pasta dinner since it was chilly out, but I'm sure it is hard to find that type of location for such a huge crowd. Once the race begins, you will be surrounded by mile after mile of spectator encouraging you on. You will not be disappointed if you run Boston. It really is the ultimate race for any marathon runner. | |
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F. M. from Chapel Hill, NC
(4/23/2010)
"There is a reason Boston is THE marathon!!" (about: 2010)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Boston Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I gave the course three stars because, anywhere else, it would not be remarkable. However, the organization is top notch and I doubt the spectators can be matched by any other race fans. And Boston is even more: history and tradition, tens of thousands of runners from all over the world, and instant camaraderie among those who love running more than is probably prudent. When you put it all together, you have a marathon that lives up to its stellar reputation. Any serious marathoner owes it to him/herself to try for the Boston Marathon experience. | |
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Stuart Graves from Salt Lake City, Utah
(4/23/2010)
"It's All about the Spectators!" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Boston Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is THE best marathon out there. They do everything perfectly. And for 2010, the spectators were simply SPECTACULAR! Thank you, Boston! | |
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M. G. from Arizona
(4/22/2010)
"Boston is everything a marathon should be" (about: 2010)
50+ previous marathons
| 2 Boston Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The fans, organizers, and volunteers take care of it all completely. Bostonites are sport-savvy; with the Sox, Bruins, AND Celtics in town as well as the marathon, there was plenty to cheer about. Consistent and friendly fluid stops, clocks at every mile, on-time start, last-minute aid for lost chips, etc... they have it all. Post-race was equally as organized. This year a Velcro bag filled with goodies was handed to you after your medal was hung on you. Bag retrieval and reunion area were a breeze. Wellesley girls awesome as always! Expo has it all (albeit crammed quarters and a bit disorganized). Packet pick-up was easy, too. This feels more like an athletic event than other marathons - the race and fans treat charity entrants with respect. Run it if you get the opportunity. | |
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S. M. from Ottawa, ON
(4/22/2010)
"I am a MARATHONER now!" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Boston Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My first Boston and my 21st marathon. What can I say - a wonderful city with many touristy things to do, great weather on race day, and an awesome high throughout the whole race. The fans were top notch and the girls at Wellesley rock! I wish I were younger! I am not a fan of the 10:30 start time, but it is a great course. I hope to return next year and spend more time downtown. | |
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J. B. from Petaluma, CA
(4/22/2010)
"Quite an experience" (about: 2010)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Boston Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I LOVE Boston! Unbelievable support from the city itself (free rides on the T to runners after the race, the whole town reorganizing itself for the race, unbelievable volunteer support, and the spectators think of everything - handing out baby wipes, Vaseline, drinks, food, etc.). The waves work well; being in corrals with similar runners keeps one from feeling like they have to push through the crowd. Strangely hard course - there isn't one element that is so difficult; it's just the sum total. This was my second Boston; I always swear it's my last marathon, but I feel compelled to go back and conquer that course. I did re-qualify, which is exciting, and I did better the second go-around. Third time PR??? |
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