Guide to the Boston Marathon
The Boston Marathon is the oldest annual marathon in the world and arguably the most prestigious. It traditionally occurs on Patriots’ Day, the third Monday in April and is the second Abbott World Marathon Major of the calendar year. For some runners, the opportunity to run this race may only happen once in a lifetime, which can create a lot of anxiety. But as someone who has completed the race six times, I find there is always more to learn about this event. And even though I don’t feel experienced enough, here is my compilation of advice and useful resources on this race.
Registration
The Boston Marathon is respected not only for its history but also for its difficult standards for entry. (Runners with disabilities apply under a separate system.) Below is a description of the two most common ways of getting into the race.
- Meeting the time qualifying standard. Race organizers set qualifying times based on the runner’s sex and age (on the upcoming Boston Marathon race day). The standards are for a full marathon completed during a specific time frame (called the “qualifying window” and currently the 12 months before the second week of race registration).
- Raising money for charity. The race selects certain charities that runners can raise funds to support. For the 2023 race,the minimum was $5,000.
Beginning with registration for the 2013 race, acceptance to the race based on the time qualifying standard has been limited to a two-week window in mid-September. The date when a runner can apply for entry is based on the number of minutes and seconds they ran their qualifying race under the standard.
During the first week, runners who met their qualifying standard by 20 minutes or more were able to apply on the first day of registration and by week’s end, those with a standard under 5 minutes submitted their times for confirmation. The second week was the true period for determining how far under the time qualifying standard (i.e., “the cut-off”) runners needed to gain entry into the race. The cut-off times in recent years have been: 1:38 (2014), 1:02 (2015), 2:28 (2016), 2:09 (2017), and 3:23 (2018), 4:52 (2019), 1:39 (2020), 7:47 (2021).
The shorthand for a runner’s time below the Boston Marathon qualifying standard is “BQ” minus the number of minutes. If a runner says they have a “BQ-10” ran 10 minutes under their standard.
There was no cut-off in 2022, meaning all runners with a qualifying time were accepted! The same followed for 2023.
For runners looking for courses conducive to meeting their qualifying standard, the BAA and MarathonGuide both maintain lists of the top races where the standard was met, (by actual entrants and race finishers, respectively).
- Raising money for charity. There are a number of charities that partner with the BAA to raise funds for programs that benefit various social and medical campaigns. Fundraising amounts for individuals vary but the minimum is $5,000. Together, they raised $38.7 million dollars in 2019! Some charities also provide support during training and race weekend for their runners. The number of “charity runners” admitted to the race has been a controversial topic, particularly in more recent years when gaining entry through the qualifying standard has become harder.
For 2019, the fee for the race was $200.
There is no waiting list and entry for the race can not be transferred, deferred, or refunded.
In October, entrants are sent a “Confirmation of Acceptance” card through the mail. Runners are asked to verify their registration information, and the race provides them important dates related to the event. (It also makes a nice keepsake.)
Seeding
In early February, runners receive information on their bib number, which was assigned based on the time of their qualifying marathon.
If a runner completes a marathon in a faster time than the one they submitted during registration, she can contact the BAA before February 1st to have her seeding adjusted.
There are so many runners in the Boston Marathon that they all can’t start at the same time. So, race organizers divide the field of runners into “waves” and within each wave, runners are further divided into “corrals”. There are four waves and eight corrals in each wave at the start of the Boston Marathon. Here is how the assignments have recently broken down:
- Wave One – Under 3:10
- Wave Two – Approximately 3:10 to 3:30
- Wave Three – Approximately 3:30 to 4:00
- Wave Four – Over 4 hours and charity runners
For runners who want to run together but are in two different waves, the higher-seeded runner will need to move back to the lower-seeded wave and corral.
Charity runners are placed in the last corral unless they submit a marathon time, completed during the qualifying window, that enables the race organizers to seed them.
Travel and Lodging
The largest airport for Boston, Massachusetts is Logan International. From the moment runners land, it’s clear this city loves its marathon! There are usually race banners hanging from the ceiling and there’s even a permanent mosaic of a female runner on the floor. near the U.S. Airways baggage claim!
About a month before the race, over 500 banners are displayed from the light posts at various locations from Hopkinton to Boston. The design is based on the marketing theme of the race.
For runners living on the East Coast of the United States, Amtrak is also an option. The northern terminus of the Northeast Regional Train is the South Station in Boston and includes a stop in the Back Bay.
For lodging, staying in a hotel convenient to the Back Bay (where the race finishes) or Boston Common (where the buses to Hopkinton load on marathon morning) are both smart options. Some downtown hotels offer perks for runners such as morning snacks on race-day morning.
Some runners stay near the race start in Hopkinton, Massachusetts because hotels are cheaper and the location is more convenient to the race start. However, road closures can make getting to the start area unpredictable. It also means a commute back to the suburbs after the race, (although there is a return shuttle starting at 1 pm).
Hotels in downtown Boston are expensive and fill up quickly! Consider booking a refundable room as soon as you hit your qualifying time and then canceling if necessary. Also, if you book a housing share and the owner cancels at the last minute, you may not have many convenient or low-cost choices as race day approaches.
A popular option for solving the lodging conundrum is an international tour operator, such as Marathon Tours, to arrange it. In addition to the room, the company also organizes a tour of the course before the race.
Packet Pick-up and Expo
The Marathon Expo and Packet Pick Up for the Boston Marathon starts on Friday at 11 am at the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center (900 Boylston Street). (In some recent years, scheduling conflicts moved the expo to the Seaport World Trade Center (World Trade Center Avenue).
The expo closes at 6pm each day. There is NO race day packet pick-up!
There are several nearby subway stations to the Hynes Center, (in Boston, the subway is called “The T”) and nearby parking garages. For runners staying at hotels near the finish line, it’s an easy walk. (For the years when it’s at the Seaport World Trade Center, it’s a longer walk but the race may provide shuttles.)
Upon entering the building, there’s a very brief security check for visitors with bags.
For bib pick-up, runners must show identification and turn over the “Digital Number Pick Up Pass” that was emailed to them in early April. Then, they are directed to an area where they can claim their participant shirt, which is typically blue or yellow. Volunteers are on hand with sample sizes and runners can return their shirt for a different size. There are usually premiums in the bib pick-up bag such as a Samuel Adams beer bottle opener, a lanyard, a 26.2-mile rear window sticker, and race-related temporary tattoos. Then, runners are led to the race expo where they can buy or sample products from running-related vendors and learn about other organizations supporting the race.
Adidas is the official apparel sponsor for the Boston Marathon. In addition to “The Jacket“, other Boston Marathon branded clothing and commemorative items will be available for purchase at the expo. The merchant also operates a Boston Marathon “RunBase” (855 Boylston Street) nearby where runners can learn more about Boston’s running history and of course, purchase apparel.
In addition to items available for sale at the expo, there’s also a Marathon Sports across from the finish line (671 Boylston Street) and a Nike store around the corner (200 Newbury Street) for last-minute race-related equipment needs. In recent years, some apparel companies have operated temporary “pop up” stores to host speakers and sell merchandise.
The Jacket
Since 1991, Adidas has designed a finisher jacket for the Boston Marathon. (Two years earlier, they created the jacket for race volunteers.) In recent years, the jacket is unveiled in December and is available for purchase on the company’s website.
- 2023 Boston Marathon Men’s Celebration Jacket ($120)
- 2023 Boston Marathon Women’s Celebration Jacket ($120)
There is some controversy about when it is appropriate to wear the Boston Marathon finisher/celebration jacket. One view is that it is bad luck or poor form to wear a “finisher” jacket before the actual race – like wearing the official race shirt on race day – because the runner hasn’t earned the right. Another perspective is that the jacket is actually called a “celebration” jacket and it’s earned by qualifying for the race. And still, others would say… “It’s just a jacket, people! That you have to pay for?! What’s with all this “earning” stuff?” They argue that runners should wear it whenever they want.
I sided with the superstitious and didn’t wear my 2012 Boston Marathon Jacket until after I finished the race. It was close to 90 degrees that day, so I can’t vouch for the effectiveness of holding off.
Race-related Events
Boston is a great city to visit and while there are a few activities around town related to Patriot’s Day, the marathon is definitely the star attraction of the weekend.
I won’t bother addressing sightseeing and dining because those activities are so dependent on personal preferences and covered by travel guides. However, there are some great race-related events and experiences that runners should consider attending.
Saturday
- BAA 5K. This event, held two days before the marathon, attracts a number of elite runners. Some marathoners use it as a “shake out” run before Monday’s main event. It’s also fun to watch.
Sunday
- “Shake-Out” Run on the Charles River Esplanade. The Esplanade is a great location for a few easy miles before the race. This trail runs along the Charles River for several miles. Some running legends and current elites do their pre-race runs on this route, so it’s a good bet for memorable fly-bys.
Monday
- Boston Red Sox Game. As part of Patriots’ Day Weekend festivities, there will be a Red Sox home game in the morning at Fenway Park (4 Yawkey Way). Runners can’t watch, but the game wraps up in time for spectators to see the marathoners run by on their way to the finish line.
- Boston Marathon Mile 27. The official post-race party is at Fenway Park (4 Yawkey Way) at 6:30 pm. Food and beverages are available for purchase. Admission is complimentary for runners but there’s a fee for guests – around $25. Additional tickets can be purchased at the expo.
On Tuesday, MarathonFoto should have some pictures available online by the next day but otherwise, it’s back to work for the people of Boston.
Wear your jacket on your way out of town. Cab drivers might be a little friendlier and some airline employees treat runners to special perks.
Transportation to Hopkinton
The Boston Marathon course is a point-to-point. The race provides transportation to the start in Hopkinton, Massachusetts from Boston Common, which is near the finish line.
On race morning, check the weather in Hopkinton, not Boston, to get a sense for what you want to wear before the race.[/dropshadowbox]
Loading times for the buses are based on the runner’s wave, which is sent out in March (and described in the Seeding section of this page). A flyer with the loading times by wave is provided in the packet pick-up material. In addition, an announcer in Boston Common broadcasts which waves are currently boarding.
In 2023, the bus boarding schedule for Wave 1 started at 6:45 am, Wave 2 at 7:30 am, Wave 3 at 8:15 am, and Wave 4 at 9:00 am. Runners are asked to show their bibs, which are color-coded to correspond to the runner’s wave, before stepping on the bus.
It’s about a 45-minute drive from Boston Common to Hopkinton Middle and High schools, but as traffic worsens it can take an hour for the later waves. The school buses do not have restrooms, so runners who drank too much coffee in the morning should probably use the porta-potties in the park before starting the ride to Hopkinton.
I have only taken the buses from Boston Common, so I can’t give any personal insight about parking near the race start. However, according to the race literature, there is limited parking available on race day at Hopkinton State Park (164 Cedar Street).
Baggage Check and Security
At Boston Common, security officers inspect bags as runners enter the park and any prohibited items are taken away. The inspection can be a choke point to entry but it doesn’t take long.
Bag check for the Boston Marathon is at the Finish Line on Boylston Street, NOT Hopkinton. Runners who opt to check a bag need to do so BEFORE boarding a bus.
- NO items larger than 5 inches x 15 inches x 5 inches.
- NO backpacks or similar bags.
- NO hydration packs or other containers capable of carrying over one liter of liquid. (Fuel belts and hand-held water bottles are allowed.)
- NO glass containers.
- NO folding chairs.
Athletes' Village and Start Line
The staging area for the race is at Hopkinton Middle/High School (297 Park Avenue). It is divided into two areas – an upper and lower field. The building itself is reserved for race officials and volunteers. Each area has the same amenities – a tent, refreshments, and porta-potties. Runners can roam around the village until it’s time to walk to the start. The wait can be as long as an hour. There are light refreshments for runners while they wait – coffee, water, and sports bars. There is a lot of grassy areas where runners can lay down a blanket and wait to be called to the start. An announcer notifies them when it’s time to leave.
It’s about a 0.7 mile walk from Hopkinton Elementary School to the race start.
On the way to the start, there are collection points for throw-away clothes but smart runners keep them on until the last five minutes or so before the start. (Temperatures are usually around 50 degrees.)
There is a “mini-village” of porta-potties on the corner of Grove and Main streets near the start for one last bathroom stop.
For all waves, there are announcements before the race starts with a blast from a horn. Start times are announced in February.
Wheelchair Divisions
- Men at 9:02 am
- Women at 9:05 am
- Handcycles and duos at 9:30 am
Elite Divisions
- Men at 9:37 am
- Women at 9:47 am
Para-athletics Divisions
- 9:50 am
Wave Starts
- Wave 1 at 10:00 am
- Wave 2 at 10:25 am
- Wave 3 at 10:50 am
- Wave 4 at 11:15 am
Before the elite men’s start, someone sings the National Anthem. Each wave has an official starter.
Corrals stay open until the wave starts. The ropes separating the corrals come down as each corral is released.
The Course
The current course is a point-to-point starting in Hopkinton, Massachusetts and ending in Boston on Boylston Street. The first few miles are mostly downhill through the towns of Ashland and Framingham. Then, the course flattens out in Natick and Wellesley before reaching the town of Newton. There are four moderate hills over the course of five miles culminating with “Heartbreak Hill”. From there, the course is mostly downhill through Brookline into Boston. The course is not world record eligible because it is a point-to-point and has a large net downhill elevation.
There are articles and websites that break down the course. For example:
- Boston Marathon Course Tips for Runners, Runner’s World. In addition to course strategy, the editors point out landmarks along the way.
This is how I break up the course and my description of what to expect:
Miles 0 to 5 (Hopkinton and Ashland) From the Boston Marathon Start Line, the course goes northeast and downhill on Main Route 135. The start can feel very congested because the road is only two-lanes wide. Spectators are sparse in this section of the course. About a half mile later, the course rises on the way to the first mile. The course crosses into Ashland just before Mile 2. Watch or listen for:
- Neighbors playing Sweet Caroline in the residential neighborhood after Mile 3.
Miles 5 to 11 (Framingham and Natick) The course rises and falls into Framingham at Mile 5. For the first time, there are a good number of spectators along the route. For the next three miles, the course is somewhat rolling but mostly flat. After a short hill, the course reaches Natick at around Mile 7.5. Watch or listen for:
- The crowds at the architecturally striking Framingham Station after Mile 6.
- Lake Cochituate at around Mile 9
Miles 11 to 16 (Wellesley) The course enters the town of Wellesley at around Mile 11.8. Starting at Mile 12, the course passes through Wellesley College. There’s a downtown area starting around Mile 12.5. Then, there’s a long downhill at Mile 15. Watch or listen for:
- The Maurten Energy Gel station at Mile 11.8 on the Wellesley town line.
- The chilling sound of the “Scream Tunnel” a mile away.
- Creative signs used by the young women at Wellesley College to solicit kisses.
- The half marathon mark in downtown Wellesley.
Miles 16 to 21 (Newton) The course arrives in Newton at Mile 16. This is the most difficult section of the course because of the four “Newton Hills” (location on the course and distances are approximations):
- Mile 16.0 (0.6 mi. long)
- Mile 17.6 (0.3 mi. long).
- Mile 19.2 (0.4 mi. long).
- Mile 20.3 (0.4 mi. long). This is the legendary Heartbreak Hill.
The first of the hills come at Mile 16 in Wellesley Lower Falls and crests about a half-mile later where the course crosses Interstate 95. The course turns right onto Commonwealth Avenue (this is the first of only five turns in the race) at the Newton Fire Station at around Mile 17.5. This is where runners encounter the second hill, which is the shortest of the set. The next noticeable hill is around Mile 19.2 and is slightly longer than the second hill. Finally, the base of “Heartbreak Hill” is at Mile 20.3 and crests about a half-mile later. Watch or listen for:
- The Maurten Energy Gel station at Mile 17.
- The supportive and enthusiastic crowds on Commonwealth Avenue, and particularly, on “Heartbreak Hill”
Miles 21 to 26.2 (Brookline and Boston)
The hills are over and the course approaches my favorite segment – Boston College! But contrary to some race reports, it’s not all downhill after ” Heartbreak Hill – there’s a slight incline in the road just before Mile 22. Then, the course turns right onto Chestnut Hill Avenue and then left onto Beacon Street at Cleveland Circle (roughly Mile 22.5) in Brookline. Around Mile 25, the course enters the city of Boston and a quarter mile later, Fenway Park is on the right. Then, it’s “a right on Hereford and a left on Boylston” before the finish. Watch or listen for:
- The Maurten Energy Gel station at Mile 21.5 just after Boston College.
- Trolley tracks in the road.
- Drunk Boston College students.
- The Boston Citgo Sign, which signals the finish line is about a mile away.
- The right on Hereford and the left onto Boylston.
- The finish line appearing to recede in the distance.
- The uproarious cheering from the crowds on Boylston Street.
Strategy and Pacing
The Boston Marathon can be a hard course to perfect, but there is really only one difficult section of the course – the Newton Hills. Otherwise, the route is a net downhill. Some general tips are:
- There are aid stations with water and Gatorade at every mile starting at Mile 2. There are also Maurten Energy Gels at mile 11.8 in Wellesley, mile 17 in Newton, and at mile 21.5 after Boston College.
- On the route, there are also first aid stations and porta-potties (approximately every two to four miles).
- There are clocks at every mile with the race’s gun time.
- The course is a point-to-point with only five turns, so a good strategy for finding a good line is simply to just avoid excessive weaving.
At the aid stations, there are tables on both sides of the street, so streaking from one side of the road to the other for a drink isn’t necessary.
For pacing, several experts provide race-specific pace bands that take the hilly sections of the course into account. (Note: I have not used these products.):
- MyMarathonPace.com, Greg Maclin. There are pacing spreadsheets accessible from the main menu. Runners can generate a pace ban by entering data on a number of variables including goal time and pacing strategy.
- FindMyMarathon. The page offers pace bands based on the course and the desired finish time.
- Boston Marathon Pace Calculator, RunnersConnect. Runners can enter their goal time to generate mile splits.
Finish Line
The race finishes on Boylston Street between Exeter and Dartmouth streets by Marathon Sports. It’s marked on the road and revered all year long.
Immediately after crossing the finish line, runners receive a medal, heat shield, and a recovery bag containing water, Gatorade, and light snacks. Along the way, medics are on the look-out for individuals in distress so sitting down is not an option. There are also MarathonFoto photographers taking post-race pictures of runners with medals.
Unlike some marathons that change the design of their medal, the Boston Marathon’s has remained mostly unchanged in recent years. – a unicorn at the center of a silver circle with a blue ribbon with some white or yellow accents. (Even the BAA isn’t completely sure why the unicorn is the symbol for the race.)
Runners have several options to exit the finish line area. The family reunification area is the first exit to the right. Runners who opted for bag check, they can pick up their possessions two long blocks after the finish line and just before Boston Common. There may be a changing tent, as well. (Some hotels near the finish line will only let registered guests and their accompanied family or friends into the building so ducking in to change may not be an option.) Finally, there is a subway stop uphill at the east end of Boston Common.
History
The race dates back to 1897. There were only 15 participants and the race started just after noon that year. The first course was 24.5 miles long and ran from Metcalf’s Mill in Ashland, Massachusetts to the Irvington Oval in downtown Boston. In 2019, 26,657 runners finished the race. The current course was selected in 1924 and met with the Olympic standard distance of 26.2 miles. (In 1957, there was a relatively minor course adjustment in Hopkinton.)
Qualifying standards for the Boston Marathon were introduced in 1970 and set at sub-4 hours for men. Two year later, in 1972, a standard was set for women. (See the Registration section above for more information on the current standards.)
In 2006, the race was broken into two waves – one starting at noon and the other at 12:30 pm. The next year, the race start was changed to 10 am.
There are many notable figures in Boston Marathon history that are useful to know if they come up in conversation during race weekend. Among them are:
- John “Johnny” A. Kelley, winner of the 1935 and 1945 Boston Marathons and inspiration for “Heartbreak Hill”,
- Ellison “Tarzan” Brown, two-time champion and the man who broke Johnny Kelley’s heart,
- John J. Kelley, champion in 1957 and only the only BAA member to win the race,
- Bobbi Gibb, first un-registered woman to complete the race in 1966,
- Kathrine Switzer, first registered woman to complete the race in 1967,
- Amby Burfoot, champion in 1968 and former editor of Runner’s World,
- William “Bill” Rodgers, four-time winner, including three consecutive victories from 1978 to 1980, which earned him the moniker “Boston Billy”,
- Rosie Ruiz, a cheater who claimed victory in 1980 but was later exposed as a course cutter,
- Alberto Salazar, renowned distance runner, coach, and competitor in the 1982 “Duel in the Sun“, and
- Mebrahtom “Meb” Keflezighi, winner of the 2014 Boston Marathon, the year after the bombing, and first American man to win the race since 1983.
- Desiree “Desi” Linden, female winner in the torrential downpour of 2018 – the first in 33 years – and second-place finisher in 2011 by two seconds.
The course record for the men is 2:03:02 (2011) held by Geoffrey Mutai and 2:19:59 (2014) for the women set by Buzunesh Deba.
The record for most wins for the is seven belonging to Clarence DeMar and four for Catherine Ndereba.
For some, the race might be remembered most because of 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing. On that day, two pressure-cooker bombs went off near the finish line, killing three spectators and injured dozens of others. The perpetrators were ultimately caught, but not before a security officer was also killed.
Since the bombing, “Boston Strong” has been a mantra for many marathon runners. And, one of the popular charities associated with the race was founded in memory of eight-year-old Martin Richard, who died from one of the blasts. Runners supporting that foundation can be seen wearing MR8 shirts at the Boston Marathon and at other running events throughout the year.
In 2020, the race was postponed to Monday, September 14th due to the coronavirus pandemic and then, converted into a virtual race “experience”. In 2021, due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the race discontinued the free pre-race pasta dinner.
In 2023, the BAA announced that Bank of America would be taking over from J00ohn Hancock as the official sponsor of the event.
More history on the race is available through the BAA’s Boston Marathon History and Wikipedia.
My History
My history with the race began in 2012 when I ran my first Boston Marathon. Having trained diligently for months, it was close to 90 degrees on race day! (Due to the weather conditions, organizers offered deferments to the 2013 Boston Marathon but I chose to run.) Broken by how close I felt to absolute exhaustion and seeing that level of depletion in others, I didn’t think I ever wanted to step foot on the course again. So, I skipped the race in 2013, which was the year of the bombing. I ran the next year, and every year since, as a sign of support for the city and the running community. Having lived near the Pentagon during September 11th and in the region during the DC Sniper Attacks in 2002, I know how terrorism can make an entire city feel vulnerable. One of my most cherished running possessions is the wrist band made from the 2013 marathon banners that each runner received in 2014.
My current course record is 3:25:58 (7:52 pace) from 2015. Here are links to my race: reports on this site:
Media
There are also some good films and books that are worth checking out to learn more about the history of the race.
Boston: The Documentary, by John Dunham. This documentary uses the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing as the backdrop for giving a history of the race.
“Duel in the Sun,” by John Brant. This book recounts the “most thrilling American marathon ever run” between Alberto Salazar and Dick Beardsley. But, the story of their lives before and after the race is truly dramatic.
“Spirit of the Marathon“. While the film is about six runners training for the Chicago Marathon, in some parts, it touches on the history of the Boston Marathon.
There are several outlets for learning more about the race and receiving communications from the organizers, the Boston Athletic Association (BAA).
- Boston Marathon – Website. Official information about the race is available on this website.
- Boston Marathon – Facebook. The race organizers upload inspirational pictures and videos throughout the year. During race weekend, they also post updates about the race.
- Boston Marathon – Twitter. Similar to the race’s Facebook page, the Twitter account is a source for motivation all year long. Race organizers also retweet and share other race-related posts.
This page was initially published on December 10, 2018, and will be edited or updated as needed.