The Boston Marathon stands as one of the most prestigious races in the world, particularly on the east coast. But should you go, and what should you expect if you do?
It’s impossible to discuss it without acknowledging its rich history and the significance it holds, it’s been held annually since 1897 on the 3rd Monday in April, making it the world’s oldest annual marathon, and attracts an average of 20,000 people from all over the world. Because of its status as one of the “Big Six” marathons (New York, Chicago, Berlin, London, and Tokyo) world-renowned runners often break records and set times to beat on this course. This may come as a surprise to those who are familiar with the end of the 26 miles known as “Heartbreak Hill.” Aptly named for its size and proximity to the finish, Heartbreak Hill has caused many runners to steer clear of the marathon and has gained infamy in the community.
The Boston Marathon is arguably better known for the tragedy that happened in 2013 when two men detonated concealed bombs near the finish line. This killed three people and injured more than 250 others making it one of the worst terrorist attacks in Massachusetts history. This left an obvious scar on the minds of anyone old enough to remember it. This lingers nationally still and influences people’s decision to attend.
I have personally been two separate times with friends and had a lot of fun. As a runner, I find it more interesting than the average person but if you are in the area it still might be worth the trip. The first thing to consider is travel time and how you want to get there.
How to Get There
If you live in Ashburnham, Westminster, or any of the surrounding towns your best bet is to take the train into North Station on the Fitchburg line from Wachusett. Although the ride does take around an hour and a half you’ll be comfortable with plenty of legroom. It’s only once you get into the city and switch to the green line to Kenmore Square. This is the route that we have taken the years that I’ve gone at least.
The train isn’t the only way, however, you could always drive straight there. Be wary of traffic though. Many of the roads surrounding the race are closed off and you’ll be hard-pressed to find cheap parking anywhere near the race. There are plenty of spots to watch, however, as the marathon spends plenty of time in the streets of central Boston.
What it’s Like
As for the marathon itself, the vibe is great if you find the right area. Expectantly, the crowds around the finish lines can get crazy and hard to navigate but if you get a good spot it’s worth it. Many of the people have traveled from further away and many at the finish line are there to see their family or friends run. The men’s pro race goes off at 9:37 and the women are ten minutes later so you can expect to see the fastest marathon runners come across just over 2 hours later so if you are at the line at 11:40 you’ll see the winner. Depending on where you are on the course you’ll see them at different times so you need to take that into account. As you move further away from the finish line you’ll be able to get closer to the course but there’s some spots like bridges that attract a lot of people.
Weather
Another thing you need to take into account is the weather. As unpredictable as New England weather can be it seems that the Boston Marathon has been the host to almost every one of them. In 1967 there were snow squalls along the start of the course and in 1905 the heat was recorded at the 100-degree mark. Personally, when I’ve been there it’s been drizzly and overcast which made for a less-than-ideal experience. It’s a good idea to check beforehand because the conditions will greatly determine how much you enjoy the trip.
Amenities
One last thing to consider before you decide if you want to go are the amenities. The obvious first one is bathrooms, there’s plenty of porta-potties dotted around the course, but if that’s not your thing you might be able to find a public bathroom in a store. That brings us to the food, the race itself doesn’t have any food but you’ll find plenty of restaurants and small stores. You may have to walk a bit away from the course to find one that’s not crowded but if you’re hungry you’re hungry. That’s different if you are a runner however, you’ll be provided with porta-potties and Gatorade at every mile marker on the course. Along with that is a space blanket when you finish if it’s cold and bananas and other snacks to regain energy.
If your Running
It’s a different story if you plan on running it though your biggest concerns won’t be getting there but being accepted in. Here’s the way a race like this works, you have to run another marathon that is accepted by the Boston Athletic Association and run a fast enough time (3 hours for men 18-39) to be let in. Now you see why it’s such a prestigious race in the community. But how does someone who wants to run train for the big day? I talked to a former Oakmont teacher, Jon Miganowicz, who ran the race more than once. He said the normal training time can take up to 16 weeks of preparation and 4 weeks of lighter training in preparation before.
But what is it like as a runner? How does it feel to be standing on the line with 30,000 other people who worked just as hard as you to get there? Miganowicz said it was “Unlike anything I had ever experienced in any other race.” He said it didn’t matter how fast he ran because it was so much fun. You certainly have bragging rights in the running community as it’s a badge of honor to have competed in the world-renowned race.
Conclusion
So after all that the question still is, Is it worth it to go? I would say yes. If it interests you at all you should go at least once. Even if the weather is not great you’ll still have fun watching the fastest long-distance runners in the world possibly break the record. I’d say I’m biased but I’d still recommend it as a great way to spend a day.
