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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 131 to 141]
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Kevin Felton from Hopkinsville, KY
(5/5/2009)
"Will always be the Super Bowl of Marathoning" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Boston Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Most serious marathoners agree that no other race can compare to the greatest spectacle in road racing. My advice to first-time qualifiers is to study the history of the Boston Marathon in order to fully appreciate the race and what you have been privileged to participate in. Familiarize yourself with the great landmarks, the heroes, and the topography. After you recover, you will begin "plotting" to run it again. | |
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J. S. from Alexandria, VA
(5/4/2009)
"Be Prepared!" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Boston Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I'm thrilled that I qualified and ran the Boston Marathon! I was not well prepared, however, for the 4 hours prior to the run. I had to leave my hotel at 6:30 a.m. (in the cold) and walk to the bus. I ended up waiting 45 minutes in the bus line. I don't believe our bus was heated, as I shivered throughout the whole trip - which was extra long because we got lost. Once in Hopkinton, I stood in the porta-john line for at least another 45 minutes. At that point I'd been cold and shivering for about 3 hours. While in the line, my teeth started chattering uncontrollably. (I was afraid I was going to bite off my tongue!) Once through the porta-john line, I had just enough time to drop my bag off and find my corral in time for the 10:30 start. I've since learned that when you're cold, your body burns more calories. Also, shivering and being hypothermic leaves you feeling very fatigued. As a result, I had a MISERABLE run. Future runners: Do everything you can to be prepared for the 4 hours PRIOR to the start! | |
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Bill Rhodunda from Delaware, USA
(5/2/2009)
"Believe the Hype: Boston is King of Marathons" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Boston Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran Boston 10 years in a row, from 1989-1998. My best was the 100th, in 1996, but the two that followed were not particularly good. Fast forward to April 2007. I decided to train hard for Boston 2008, but ran out of time to qualify. I kept training and qualified in November 2008, my first marathon in 10 years. My goal was to go to Boston 2009 if I had legitimate shot of beating 3 hours. I kept a nice, relaxed pace early, faded a bit late, but was thrilled to see my watch at the finish - 2:59.54! That's a long intro in order to say that two years of training was well worth it to get back to Boston. Although there was a 10-year gap, it was like yesterday along the course. I cannot commend the organizers, fans and runners enough for making this an incredible event. I remain amazed at how this logistically challenging race can be pulled off so well by the organizers. And where do they find so many - probably several thousand volunteers - to help out at the start, along the course and at the finish? They were all extremely friendly and helpful. Hats off to all involved !!!! | |
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D. O. from Williamston, Michigan
(4/30/2009)
"A great experience!" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Boston Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is the pinnacle of marathoning - a truly great experience. My only objection this year involved Adidas; the sales area was far too crowded, and the official Boston merchandise made one look like a walking billboard for Adidas. The BAA should go back to the previous supplier; the jackets, etc. were much classier without the Adidas stripes and logo. | |
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N. W. from Kansas City, MO
(4/30/2009)
"Freaking Awesome Experience!" (about: 2009)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Boston Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Everyone who has ever run a marathon MUST run Boston. The race was awesome. This race gives normal people a glimpse of what it is like to be a professional athlete. The organization, fan support, aid stations... everyone caters to each runners needs. Best marathon to date. Ps. I PR'd and qualified again. | |
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T. F. from Essex, Vermont
(4/29/2009)
"the best (and most painful) marathon" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Boston Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Receiving great cheering from tens of thousands of people along the way is the best part of Boston Marathon. The course seems easy for the first 16 miles, but then things get really challenging. After 3 hill ascents and descents between miles 16 and 21, my legs and body were so tired, and the last 2 miles were extremely painful. After turning the last corner to see the blue finishing gate 1/4-mile away, I felt time was running so slowly. But the more pain, the more joy I get after crossing the finish line. And they had the smoothest and friendliest organization. | |
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D. S. from Vernal, UT
(4/29/2009)
"Glorious Experience" (about: 2009)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Boston Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first time in Boston and my second marathon after going through a reconstruction on my left leg (the first one I had to work very hard to qualify to run here). I ran this race very conservatively because my goal, first and foremost, was to get to the finish line. I set a PR for my slowest marathon so far, but I finished. I felt very fortunate just to be here and line up at the starting line and make it to the finish line. The overall experience, the spectators, the volunteer support, and so on were beyond all expectations. I would do it again in a heartbeat if I have the chance. My only suggestion is that they need more porta-johns en route. I needed to stop about 7 miles into the race and had to run 2-3 more miles before I found just 2 of them along the side. Then I had to wait several minutes to use it, which added several minutes to my slow finish time. Kudos to the organizers, volunteers, citizens of Boston and surrounding communities, and the fellow participants for making this a glorious experience for the thousands of us who ran the course. | |
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V. J. from N.Lawrence,OH,USA
(4/28/2009)
"I love Boston!" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Boston Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is my second time on the historical roads between Hopkinton and Boston, and my 14th marathon. Boston is still the most exciting race I have ever run. I am not a very fast runner, and this year was especially tough(I had a heel injury,and this was definitely an issue for me during the race). But it didn't matter. Boston is a dream realized for most runners,and usually comes with a lot of sacrifice and training time. I was thrilled to be there, thrilled to be a "star" for a day. Boston's spectators are like no others! And Boston really loves its marathon. I hope to go back in 2010 and redeem my pride--without an injury. One of the highlights of my trip was meeting Dick and Rick Hoyt at the expo and getting my picture with them. They inspire me, and it was a pleasure to meet them. The only sad thing (besides my lousy finish time) was losing my camera. It was lost on one of the shuttle buses from the state park,and has not turned up yet. Luckily, my son had taken some pictures, so we didn't lose everything. | |
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V. H. from Denver, Colorado
(4/28/2009)
"A great race" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Boston Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 At face value, the course does not appear to be more--or even as-- difficult as other tracks I've run. This course is so great because of the layout, the placement of the hills, and the quality of the runner next to you. You can't judge the race by any one part of it. The Newton hills aren't as bad as many I've run, but they come at a very difficult time in the race: Although I made it through without any problems, I thought I had counted four and then I reached the bottom of Heartbreak Hill, realizing I had celebrated a bit too soon. The entire experience was fantastic. We stayed at the Fairmont at Copley Square, and had quick access to all the places where we needed to be. From the Expo at the convention center to the bus to the start Boston Commons, everything was well-organized and close. The lines at the runners' village were long, but the lower level provided many porta-potties that did not require much wait time. The crowd support was incredible, and the finish line will be a lifelong memory. Thank you BAA--there is a reason why Boston is the best. I'll be back next year! | |
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K. R. from Dallas, Texas
(4/27/2009)
"It's Getting Out of Control!" (about: 2009)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Boston Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I have run this race nine times and it is getting out of control! You wait in line for buses, there's a one-hour bus ride, they lack of toilets "everywhere," and the late start just drains you even before the start! Of course this is the "Holy Grail" for marathoners! But... 26,000+ for this race is just too many! |
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