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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 161 to 171]
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C. D. from Boston, MA
(10/19/2008)
"Simply the best" (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Boston Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I am from the Boston area, so we all know late April is marathon time. Although I was not a qualified runner, I still ran with an official number, raising money for a local charity (so many people forget you can run still officially this race without a qualifying time!!). This being my second marathon, I knew Boston was legendary, but the race was truly unbelievable. Organization was outstanding - the B.A.A. has every detail completely covered and you absolutely cannot ignore the fact that there is not a single stretch of the 26.2 without spectators! The Wellesley girls were great, but the drunk BC kids at the top of Heartbreak Hill was what really helped carry me through the last few miles! Running a marathon is an incredible experience, but running the Boston Marathon is a life changing experience! | |
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Tom Lamb from Marietta, Georgia
(9/19/2008)
""Every runner's dream"" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Boston Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Running the Boston Marathon is the ultimate! It commands high respect. I have never seen so many people lining the streets for such a distance. This is my dream come true!!!!!! | |
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M. C. from Philadelphia, PA
(6/25/2008)
"The Real Deal" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Boston Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race is the real deal, and should be run by all those who qualify at least once. The other comments pretty much cover everything. Wonderful organization, save for running out of medium shirts. Got on a bus to the race within 5 minutes of showing up. No line at all for picking up my stuff at the finish. The fans - they're the best. You all know about Wellesley, but the guys at BC really stepped it up. There's enough food/drink at the expo such that you don't have to eat lunch if you go at that time. The course may be historic, but the towns themselves aren't that scenic until you get to Boston proper. Going over 128 was what did it for me, not Heartbreak Hill. I will run this race for every age group they have (presuming I qualify) until I am no longer physically able. Considering I don't plan on doing marathons more than once, that's high praise. | |
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D. T. from Arlington, VA
(6/4/2008)
"BOSTON IS NO. 1" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Boston Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I went into Boston this year with nursing a slight hamstring injury, which occurred about a week before Boston, but I was determined to go in and take a gamble - after all, it's BOSTON. I eventually had to drop out at mile 9. But through it all, it was still exciting to be part of the Boston Marathon. As one person put it, "Half the excitement is making it to Boston." From the expo to the end of the event, it's great to be part of the world's oldest and greatest running event. I do have my 2009 Boston qualifier, and I'm looking forward to returning. | |
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ERNESTO DIAZ from MEXICO
(5/25/2008)
"AWESOME" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Boston Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first Boston, and it was an amazing experience, even though I didn't have my best run that day. I was thinking of doing it in 3:05 (as of Mile 20), but the last miles really killed. Heartbreak Hill was not so tough - there was another hill before that that was incredibly difficult to run. But nowadays, I'm still thinking of Boston, even if I didn't qualify for 2009. I'm aiming to qualify in Chicago. Running Boston has changed my life. Believe me: Boston is a must in every sense. | |
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j. d. from tennessee
(5/20/2008)
"What an amazing weekend" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Boston Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Boston puts on a fabulous marathon that exceeded even my high expectations. I did it all over the weekend. I watched the women's trials and walked way too much. I spent an afternoon watching the Red Sox before heading to the pasta party, which was simple but well organized this year. The expo was overwhelming but I love my hat and blue jacket. The runner's village provided ample pre-race supplies and became a memory all too quickly. The race was unbelievable. I knew from mile one that it would not be a PR day, despite the beautiful day. The crowds and Wellesley scream tunnel exceeded my expectations. As you turn by the fire station after mile 17 into the Newton Hills, the course continues to surprise you. I have never heard a noisier, more enthusiastic group of fans in my life - including Chicago. They made all the difference up Heartbreak Hill, and down through the finish line. They will not let you slow down or walk. What a great day!! And a 3:23 wasn't too bad for having a bad running day because I enjoyed all that Boston offered that weekend. | |
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J. V. from Virginia, USA
(5/16/2008)
"They always get it right" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Boston Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my third Boston. The organizers continue to make changes that I feel are beneficial (like the two wave start, earlier start, tech shirt, larger medal, etc). Even though this is such a historic race they continue to adapt. It was incredibly inspiring to see the Olympic trials and get a high five from Deena Kastor (my 11-year old runner daughter as well), to talk to Kathrine Switzer at the expo, and be a part of such an amazingly competent collection of people. I have never had such an exhilarating feeling as turning onto Boylston from Hereford Street to run the last .2 miles to that beautiful blue finish. Run it if you can. I do agree that their are too many bandits and too few porta potties at the start but that has been true of all the big marathons I have done. If you do it bring your mylar blanket to Hopkinton (you should have one) to sit and strech on. Come early and enjoy Boston. My family felt like we were royalty while we were there. There is no marathon like Boston!! | |
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T. R. from Columbus, OH
(5/13/2008)
"Everything I hoped it would be... and more!" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Boston Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 You've heard all the hype about this marathon and it's entirely true... AND THEN SOME!! I had an absolutely horrible running day (a personal worst for me) but had the best running experience of my life. The crowd is unreal, even for a back-of-the-packer like me! Nothing bad to say about the race at all, but if you're doing it for the first time, be ready for the rolling of the course and the Newton Hills! Run Boston. You'll have the time of your life!! Thanks Dana-Farber!! | |
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m. o. from sunny florida
(5/12/2008)
"The best marathon I've ever run!" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Boston Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Wow... I'm totally amazed! Boston lives up to all the hype with the greatest fans, terrific expo, great organization, yummy pasta dinner, a nice course, incredible volunteers, and the friendliest runners! Truly a first-class race that deserves its reputation. Thank you to all the folks who made it happen! | |
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M. A. from Loveland, Ohio
(5/7/2008)
"Boston: The World's Best Marathon" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Boston Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I waited 24 years to run this race. Ironically, I qualified 3 times for this year and am already in for 2009 based on my 3:28 at Philadelphia in 2007. The race was the culmination of a dream I thought I would never realize. I was a sprinter and a College Football player and do not have the body type to run this race. I defied the odds and have transformed my 200 lb. body into the 180-190 lb range. I also run for my daughter Rachel who has had ARTHRITIS SINCE AGE ONE AND IS NOW 15.She is my inspiration and through her anything is possible. It just goes to show if you want it bad enough it is possible to qualify for this race. What a majestic race. The buzz throughout the city, at the expo, on the bus to the race, in the athletic village, walking to the starting line, and walking on cloud nine with the mutual respect all the runners had for each other was just too cool. The race was very challenging, but Heartbreak was not the worst hill; there were others as bad before and after Heartbreak. The Wellsley girls WERE UNBELIEVABLE. I am a couple weeks shy of my 51st Birthday and I told myself I would just smile and wave but I fell victim to the scream tunnel and high fived the entire line of women, but did not kiss any; I should have. Even though I had a 3:28 in for the 2009 race, I still wanted to record my 4th Boston Qualifier in 20 months (also missed by 7 minutes at Chicago and 10 at Disney). I approached the last 2 miles with real determination and pressed hard at the end, only giving 5-10 more high-fives. There it was: 3:36:04. I missed by 5 seconds. Thank God I was already in or I would have been heartbroken. Women have always gotten me in trouble. I can honestly say it was worth it to go through the scream tunnel with all those beautiful young ladies. Thank you Boston and the Girls of Wellsley; you are all world- class, and it was an experience of a lifetime. |
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