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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 241 to 251]
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J. A. from california
(4/20/2007)
"Great, tough course; organizers lame" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Boston Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 Totally loved the course and the spectators were excellent. Everything I read and heard about the course was first-class. Can't wait for the next time to attack the Newton Hills. However, the expo was a disgrace - packing so many people into such a small space was ridiculous. Boston is supposed to be the best of the best and the expo set up was terrible. Next time I run I will go to pick up my number and then walk out because the crowded aisles and packed-like-sardines vendors were terrible. God forbid an emergency take place in there because we would have all been totally screwed. Also, knowing the forecast, was it really too much trouble to set up an extra outdoor tent or two? Also could someone have made an announcement that the school was open for shelter? Seems to me that there was nothing done by the organizers to help runners deal with the weather - instead they acted like it was just like any other year. Lame. Would be 0 stars if that was a choice | |
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B. M. from Seattle, Washington
(4/20/2007)
"I LOVE Boston! (Even in the rain!)" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Boston Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my first Boston, and, despite the rain and wind (which had BOTH died down by the time we began to run), I had a wonderful time. The spectators still turned out (all the cute little kids who wanted high fives and the fabulous Wellesley women). The course itself was actually pretty easy.... I thought, "Hills? What hills?" And traveling through all the suburbs of Boston was actually pretty scenic and wonderful. I PRed and loved every minute of the race! | |
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David Trevino from Arlington, Virginia
(4/20/2007)
"An Honor to Run Boston" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Boston Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It took me almost 7 years, and 16 marathon runs, to qualify to run Boston - one of the most important accomplishments in my life. Ever since I can remember I have wanted to run in the Boston Marathon, and on April 17, 2007, my dream came true. It is everthing I heard it was and then some. To have run on a course that runners like John Kelley (senior), Bill Rodgers, Alberto Salazzar, Dick Beardsley, and others have made famous is truly an honor. I found the organization of the Boston Marathon to be top-notch, and the people of Boston were some of the friendliest people I have met. I came close to matching my PR (off by about 4 minutes), but still turned in a good performance. Equally important is that I earned my 2008 qualifying time at the October 2006 Marine Corps Marathon, and as an added measure, I also qualified through the 2007 Boston run. I'm definitely looking forward to running in next year's Boston Marathon. Boston - I'll be back. | |
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Tricia Lombardi from Colorado Springs, CO
(4/19/2007)
"Second Boston; First Nor'easter" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Boston Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I'm still fairly new to running (5 years), and I hold the Boston Marathon and its history in high esteem. I was fortunate to qualify for 2004's race, but I felt bad about my time (4:36) because I didn't handle the heat very well. I ended up walking every fluid stop, and all the Newton hills, so I don't think I appreciated how tough the course was to run, until this Monday. Unfortunately, my long-awaited "do over" didn't yield much better weather, as a Nor'easter hit the coast fairly hard Sunday night and still lingered for the race. I really prefer cooler temps for running (especially after slogging through blizzards this winter), but the strong winds (23-42 mph, with gusts to 52) along parts of the course and sporadic rain certainly tested my resolve. As in 2004, the mood of the city was positive, despite the weather, and I thought the expo was well run, but very crowded. I visited for a short time both Saturday and Sunday, and it was tough to maneuver through the crowds. Perhaps a different venue should be considered to open it up. People might linger longer and buy more stuff if they didn't feel as claustrophobic. I don't think the organizers were as well-prepared as they could have been for the earlier start time. The lines to board the buses to Hopkinton were very long (in the strong wind and rain). It seemed like 5-10 more buses would have greatly reduced the waiting time. The drive was fine, but there was another long wait to exit the buses to Athlete's Village. The weather made it hard to see how far we were from the drop-off point, and many runners really neeed to use the bathroom by this time. There was another long wait at the bathrooms, now very close to the 10 a.m. 1st-wave start. I was in the slower 2nd wave, but there were 1st-wavers on the same bus with me. Yet another bus problem: they were pretty disorganized getting the bag buses in a coherent order for bag drop off. First were 6,0xx, then 10,0xx, then 20,0xx... and after the long restroom wait, many runners had a hard time finding where the bus for their number was to drop off their gear. Not using the restroom was not an option for me, and I was unable to reach my starting corral by the time the gun went off. I spent the first couple of miles with a very slow group, and lost a couple of minutes trying to work my way forward. There were dozens of other runners around me who also didn't reach their corrals in time. Once the 2nd wave got started, I was relieved that the temps were about 44, and the wind was moderate (about 16 mph in Hopkinton) - usually from the side or front. The rain was sporadic, but usually steady or light, not a downpour. The crowds were out and very supportive, especially at Wellesley, and after you're past Cemetery Mile (around 23). My fatal error was eating 2 mini bagels at about 6 a.m. Though I normally don't eat prior to long runs (for concern over needing a bathroom), I wasn't sure how to plan for a 10:30 a.m. start, so I ate solid food, and paid the price with a bathroom stop at M17 (waited 3 minutes to get in) and at M23. I missed qualifying for next year by 5 minutes and 50 seconds. Such a small decision turned out to do me in. But, I did do much better (3:56) than 2004, and found myself smiling through most of this run. This is my 9th marathon, and all have been overseas except Boston. For me, it is the most challenging course of the large-scale marathons (have done London, Berlin, Dublin, Zurich, Florence), the most organized, best supported, and most satisfying to complete. I'll do my best to qualify again to run next year - still striving for 3:30 or better. | |
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J. M. from New York
(4/19/2007)
"Tough Day at Boston" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Boston Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race is an experience every runner should have. The history, size, course and spectators are unparalleled. This year was particularly difficult because of the weather. But it was better than expected. Still had tons of spectators.The support and organization of this race is top-notch. I look forward to this race every year. Do your training.... This course demands it. | |
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r. d. from rochester, ny
(4/19/2007)
"Tough course; amazing fans" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Boston Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 I was in the second wave and found this arangement insulting. There was not even an anthem for the 2nd wave starters. Expo was also poorly organized - very crowded and confusing. I got hit on my foot by a roller cart, which is the last thing that you need before a marathon. The organizers are a bit full of themselves. The course is rather tough. The fans are absolutely amazing. Thank you, Wellesley and BC! | |
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S. D. from United States
(4/18/2007)
"No Running Event Compares With Boston" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Boston Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have nothing but positive comments to make about everything having to do with the 2007 Boston Marathon - from start to finish, and everything in between. | |
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S. M. from Ireland
(4/18/2007)
"Simply the Best" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Boston Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The weather was the worst ever apparently, but not even this could stop this being the best marathon I have run. When you start at Hopkinton you really do feel the significance of this race, and its history. The crowds may not match the quantity of other big city marathons but the spectators on this course beat the rest of the world hands down on support. I had read about the Wellesley College and Heartbreak Hill crowds being good, but good is an understatement; they are the best. The feeling you get climbing Heartbreak is fantastic. I have done New York (among other big-city marathons) but there is simply no match for the emotion of this great race. | |
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J. C. from Memphis, TN
(4/18/2007)
"Great Race; Expo Could be Improved" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Boston Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 This was my first Boston and the course and race are great. Windy and wet day was not ideal weather-wise, but it was still a great experience. Lots of fans along the course who cheered everyone along. Great course support with spectators along the way with orange slices. Expo was a little disappointing. I arrived on Sunday and the only race shirts left were small or medium. I had to get a medium shirt and give it to my wife since I need an XL. Expo was very crowded and could barely be navigated. They were also out of a lot of the official merchandise. | |
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Bob Kroeger from Ohio
(4/18/2007)
"Overrated????" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Boston Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 This was my first Boston and my 14th overall marathon since starting to run these two years ago. I had no expectations but can offer some comments that might help first-timers, as I was this year. I doubt if any BAA officials will look at this but, in case one does, please take these ideas as constructive criticism as a way to improve your race for the average qualifier. The elite runners won't like this but I would suggest that the BAA take some prize money and improve the race amenities for the average Joe. 1. The expo is not for the claustrophobic. Sardines in a can have more room to maneuver than people do in this expo. At times, you actually could not move. The wise move would be to get there first thing on Friday or Saturday. And, if you like something, buy it before Sunday when a lot of merchandise sells out. A great move for BAA would be to move to a larger venue (the Boston Convention Center has more room, albeit a bit further away). 2. There is no listing of the vendors' locations. A simple sheet of paper with locations would save a lot of time for those looking for a specific vendor. 3. How about staffing the information booth? A volunteer from out of town took over when I visited it and he didn't have a clue but tried his best to give directions. 4. I attended the presentation by Kathrine Switzer, which was inspiring but had only a smattering of runners. With more promotion, this fearless lady might have had a decent audience. 5. The BAA should be embarrassed by the cotton t-shirt. Pocatello, which charges half the Boston rate, gave a beautiful long-sleeved microfiber. It's in Idaho. Also, hire a creative artist for an imaginative design: Newbury Street has a lot of them. 6. I found the course to be pleasantly New Englandish, and, even though weather conditions were dismal, the fans showed enthusiasm. But I wondered why there were no bands (weather issue?). Surely these quaint villages could manage some music. Perhaps a string quartet playing the theme from Chariots of Fire. 7. Don't expect wall-to-wall fans, but do expect wall-to-wall runners. A constantly moving mass of humanity. 8. If you are lucky enough to have someone at the finish line, don't pack your gear bag on the bus. Our bus had two girls trying to get bags for over a hundred runners. And that came at the end, when most of us were still very cold. Each bus clearly needed at least ten volunteers. If you can't adequately staff a race this size, limit it to fewer runners. 9. The post-race food was interesting: a PowerBar, a banana, and a bag of honey BBQ chips. How about some hot soup or chili - as many, many other marathons have in cold conditions? 10. The pasta party was even more interesting. My ticket said that I had to attend at 7:00. Since I don't think it's wise to eat past 5:00 on the evening before a marathon, I passed on it. A suggestion: schedule the 7:00 or 8:00 runners at three and four o'clock. 11. For those staying out of the downtown and relying on the "T" (the subway), the BAA should clearly indicate which stations will be open. I walked to the Arlington station, which was closed. Then I waited with about 200 other runners at another station, which also closed. Then another long walk to the Back Bay station: 26.2 plus three miles of walking to find an open station. 12. The medal is pewter but cannot hold a candle to the artwork of the medal of the Flying Pig, Akron, or Austin. Don't hold your breath for this one. 13. Boston should consider moving half of the Wellesley coeds to about 500 yards from the finish line. Their kisses were great - a race highlight!! But Boston has pedigree and history behind it and throngs waiting to run; so first-timers next year may face the same deficiencies. Just hope it's not raining at the end of the race. We were lucky this year: the rain stopped. I hope it's good weather next year for you. Would I run this one again? Maybe. But there are so many other April marathons out there that make the average runner feel special that Boston will have trouble competing for my dollars. |
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