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Boston Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Boston Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.6 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.6 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 4.9 
 
 
Number of comments: 418 [displaying comments 201 to 211]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 19 20 21 22 23 .. 42 > ]

 

M. G. from New York (4/22/2008)
"I felt like a star!" (about: 2008)

11-50 previous marathons | 2 Boston Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


Biggest advice: put your name on your shirt. I can't believe how many times (maybe a thousand) people in the crowd called my name and cheered me on. The spectators are truly fantastic here! After running through Wellesley College, I actually forgot that I had been running because it was such a high.

My only complaint about this race is that there simply are not enough porta-johns to support all of the runners. I have to go to the bathroom several times before the race begins because of hydrating prior to the race. The lines in the athlete's village were so long that I would have to wait for at least 20 minutes, then have to get back on line for my "next round." They need to double the number of porta-johns. The organizers put people in the position of having to "go" in places that are pretty disgusting... along the walls of the school, for example. It's not the athlete's fault for this. People were threatened by disqualification if caught urinating in the wrong places.

Besides that complaint, I would highly recommend that anyone experience the "high" of running through the crowds of the Boston Marathon.

 

Charity Runner from Boston, MA (3/12/2008)
"Response to ANGRY RUNNER" (about: 2008)

1 previous marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


As a physician, I applaud the charitable aspect of this race. I ran NYC only to raise money for Cancer Reseach and Treatment and now I am running Boston to raise money for the Floating Hospital for Children. No, I am not a 2:50 runner - I was 22 minutes too slow to qualify - but I would run for charity EVERY time.... And to ANGRY RUNNER, start thinking about others. This race is about the runners, spectators, and yes, the charities, that benefit because I can run 26.2 miles in 4:02 (and I do it for everyone struggling to sit, stand, walk OR run). I am happy to run in '08 and cross the finish line at any time, matched mile for mile by donations.

 

G. C. from Texas (2/28/2008)
"Awesome freakin' race!" (about: 2007)

11-50 previous marathons | 2 Boston Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Wow, "Angry runner from North Carolina," I assume you're just an angry person! The Boston Marathon is wonderful! Great experience. I'm a 2:50 marathoner myself and I would prefer it if you didn't come back! I respect all marathoners, elites, and sub 3:00's, as well as the 5- and 6-hour finishers. See you all again in 2008.

 

Princess Emily from Austin, TX (1/28/2008)
"Awesome time despite the monsoon..." (about: 2007)

1 previous marathon | 1 Boston Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


Great experience! Great crowd despite the weather, which definitely could have been worse. I went into it Sunday night expecting freezing rain, but we got none of that!! I didn't know anything about it when I qualified with my one marathon before, but I freaked when I started reading about HB Hill. But it REALLY wasn't that bad; I was pleasantly surprised when I was done, and I PRed and re-qualified! So sad I decided not to run it this year because of my job, but definitely next year!

 

D. D. from Piney Flats, TN (12/25/2007)
"Great experience" (about: 2004)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Boston Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Can't believe I ran in the Boston Marathon. It was very hot so all I wanted to do was to finish it.

 

Hina Ayub from Arlington, VA (10/31/2007)
"Amazing despite the Nor'easter!!!" (about: 2007)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Boston Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Running the Boston Marathon was literally a dream come true. It is a truly amazing experience with superior organization. This past April, a Nor'easter ripped through the East Coast and on race day it was cold, wet, and windy. However, race officials kept us constantly updated.

The course is tough, but that's what makes it so great. And Heartbreak Hill isn't that bad, really. :-) All in all, a wonderful experience I hope to re-qualify soon!

 

D. D. from Ottawa, Ontario (8/12/2007)
"It's Boston!" (about: 2007)

11-50 previous marathons | 2 Boston Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


The world's greatest race.... It is an honor to qualify and an honor to run Boston. Don't worry about the weather, the expo, the food, and whatever else.... If you qualify, go! I've run 11 marathons (Boston in '06 and '07) and nothing compares to turning the corner onto Boylston for the final push to the finish line!

The athletes' village was not as friendly this year, but that was due to the weather. On a good weather day, the athletes' village is alive and vibrant! Also, had to climb a fence this year to get into the village due to a rookie bus driver.... But hey, so what? It's Boston, man!! :)

 

Angry Runner from North Carolina (7/9/2007)
"The once great marathon is no more" (about: 2007)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Boston Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I am sick of reading comments like, "The expo was too crowded" or, "The food at the end wasn't good enough." YOU ARE THERE TO RUN A MARATHON, NOT TO GORGE YOURSELF ON A 4-COURSE MEAL! As for the expo being too crowded, well, about half of the people running the race have no business even being there. If they cut out all the charity cases and enforced the time standards (and not the slower standards they started a few years ago) then the race would not be crowded at all. At most, about 12,000 would be in it, and there would be no problems ... no crowded expo, no failing to get the right shirt size, no people urinating in the streets, no running out of food at the finish, etc.

Boston was once a great marathon; it now sucks. It's just another marathon that has been ruined by 6-hour charity cases. I ran 2:50 in my last race but have no desire to go back to Boston to run with a bunch of walkers. Don't like the race? Don't come back. Seriously, about 8 to 10 thousand of you stay home. That way the qualifiers can actually enjoy their experience and Boston can go back to being the world's greatest marathon.

 

Andrea Greek from Kingston, Ontario, Canada (6/18/2007)
"My first Boston... but not my last" (about: 2007)

2 previous marathons | 1 Boston Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


My first Boston Marathon... and it didn't disappoint. As I ran, I could feel it in the airh ow very special this race is - amazing experience. A dream come true for me... I will be back next year, and every year I can.

 

J. B. from NEW YORK (6/5/2007)
"Most Fun I Ever Had Running A Marathon" (about: 2007)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Boston Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Even though I was overdressed and there were occasional downpours and strong gusty headwinds, the crowds were there calling out my name, giving hugs and kisses and I felt like a star. Every time I felt like dying or quitting, somebody on the sidelines or even in the race was there to boost my spirits. It was a tough run but a truly uplifting and glorious experience!

 

More Comments: [ < 1 .. 19 20 21 22 23 .. 42 > ]


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