It was a great marathon (this was my 2nd Boston and my 6th marathon) but the start time was terrible, because we have to wait a long time since they took us to the buses to the start line. Also the weather was terrible and there are no pacers on the race - the time of every marathoner was much more than what they were expecting due to the high temperature. I really do not recommend this marathon if you are looking for a PR marathon

Thank you for a great race. People of Boston were great, from the children giving Mr. Freezes to the people cheering me on when I could go on no more. Volunteers where very professional and gave us much respect - they are the ones that deserve it all. Thank you. Only one bad comment was that one person that was slapping our hands near the start had a lit cigarette in his hand - nice joke, very angry at that. Overall, great city and great people, this is where the best runners belong. Thanks again, just make it cooler next year when I return. Ha!

On the way back from the expo, another runner asked me what motivates me to keep returning to run Boston (this was my seventh). At the time, I could not find a good answer to her question, but now, a month later, I've come up with a few.

First, where else can you run a major race on a Monday? (just kidding)

Secondly, it's a challenge. No, it's not a PR course, and your not very likely to run another qualifying time here. The weather is always a factor. But, it's Boston, not Disney World!

Third, its a honor to run in the footsteps of Clarence Demar, Johnny Kelley, Bill Rodgers, and all the other Boston legends. You have to appreciate the history of this race to fully experience it.

Finally, and most importantly, the spectators along the course are great, the people of Boston treat all the runners as though they are elite athletes. Best of all is the comradeship of the 17,000 other runners. It's unlike any other race!

This was my third Boston and wow - it was a dandy!!! Even in training, I don't run in those temperatures. However, once you put the physical, mental and monetary resources together for the race - the tendency is to just do it, despite best instincts.

The day started off badly for me - I was so intimidated with the hot weather, I forgot my chip at the hotel. Good news was the organizers gave me a replacement chip at athlete's village and recorded all my details - bib #, name, etc. So I thought OK - this is Boston, and trusted them to actually record the replacement chip times. Can't believe they didn't - I got my medal but no official time. A number of letters have been sent to the organizers about this but they aren't even responding except to ask I send the original chip back. It's now over a month since the race and still no word from the Boston officials. I wouldn't mind, but it was the race from hell at least give me credit for it!

Oh and by the way - what's with the noon start? It's the heat of the day - surely, like other races, you could start at an earlier hour.

This was my second - and last - Boston.
The positives:

-The volunteers and the vast majority of the fans are incredibly supportive - they demonstrated genuine excitement and concern for the runners. I?m not the type who really cares about whether or not a race is able to draw spectators, but I know this is important to most, so it bears mention.

-This is the most widely-recognized race among non-runners, and therefore it?s definitely a badge of honor to say you?ve run. Again, not a big deal to me, but I recognize the import to others.

The negatives:
-As a Massachusetts resident, I?m well aware that the expense of pretty much anything will rise, and the logistical difficulties increase as one gets closer to the City of Boston. This race is no different. Most of the traditional ?quirks? of this race are just plain annoying when you actually have to deal with them. Mondays aren?t ideal. Neither are noon start times. Hotel rates are obscene. Traffic is terrible. It?s not a spectator-friendly course, in that your family isn?t likely to see you at more than one location. Training for a race in April means most of us have to deal with snow & ice, as well as shorter daylight when we?re supposed to be getting in long runs and good tempo workouts - not the easiest combination. And when I see anyone wearing BAA gear from the event, I don?t think ?Wow, there?s a good runner?, I think, ?Wow, there?s someone who really didn?t mind drastically overpaying for gear?.

-It?s disappointing to see qualified runners disparage the charity entrants. In the grand scheme of things, most of the qualified runners are just a tad better than mediocre, but you?d never know it based on their aura of self-importance. It?s equally discouraging to see charity runners act in ways that actually impede those who are trying to treat this as a competition rather than an event. Both groups have valid justification for being there, and there?s no reason that each shouldn?t be able to just mind their own patch without the constant whining for respect. I?m a qualified entrant. That doesn?t mean I expect a charity entrant to bask in my ?glory?; it does mean I expect them not to walk in the middle of the road where I might trip over them. And when I run for charities, I don?t expect other runners to look at what I?m doing as somehow more noble than their own efforts that day.

-Sadly, I have an easier time remembering smartass comments from drunken BC and BU kids than supportive comments from the other 95% of spectators.

-The course isn?t particularly scenic. It?s not difficult enough to really make it seem that much more of an accomplishment than your typical marathon (excepting severe climate issues), but it?s not flat enough to really nail a PR - well, a PR that doesn?t leave you wondering if you could have gone a few minutes faster on a flatter course. We?ve all managed tougher hills, we?ve all run faster courses, and we?ve all seen more beautiful courses, so what exactly does this course offer?

In the final analysis, there are other cities that make for better destination races (pretty much any traditional vacation destination), better races in terms of ?events? (NYC), better races in terms of challenging courses (MDI), and more scenic courses (CIM).

Boston has over a century of tradition, but it takes more than tradition to have a truly first-class event, and this one just doesn?t make the cut anymore. Do it once to say you?ve done it, but I?m already feeling like a sucker for having done it twice. I can?t imagine why people return year after year when there are so many better options.

This was my 4th marathon and first Boston and I loved it! With the sweltering heat the organizers did an excellent job with the additional water/Gatorade stops. I was able to get water at one and Gatorade at the next one (approximately 1/4 mile apart at each mile). From the expo to the finish line the BAA did a perfect job. Yes, I had to adjust my pace to super slow because of the heat, but heck, isn't marathon running supposed to be a challenge? The fans were great and the experience was wonderful!

I'm proud to have finished the boilermaker that was Boston 2004. Its a little thing, but at 5'7', 125 lbs, I bet I'm on the average and maybe even larger size for women running Boston. I'd like to wear my Boston marathon shirt as something other than a nightshirt but 'medium' was the smallest size they made available. Even after washing, it drowns me. Maybe over-sized shirts are a Boston tradition but please take note that the super-sizing of America has not really taken place amongst most running the Boston marathon. In the future I hope for two things: a size small shirt and cooler weather (not necessarily in that order).

I thought I was going to die!! Was it worth it? YOU BET IT WAS!!!!

Thanks to all the little children lined along the streets high-fiving us as we ran by. Thanks to the little girl with the bag of jelly beans. Thanks to all the kids who had ice chips. They were my salvation. Thanks to the young woman with the bowl of frozen strawberries. You were very generous. The orange slices hit the spot. And to the lady with the white plastic jug of cool water as I entered the outskirts of town, you are an angel sent by God. The water was refreshing and helped me get to the finish line.

BOO to the people who kept insisting 'you are almost there' when I was ten miles from the finish line.
And the worst hill of all was that short street you turn onto before Boyleston Street. And my loudest applause goes to the RED SNAKES. You really boosted my self esteem even though it was nearly dark when I finished. Hooray for the Kaji Aso's.

But the thing I cherish most is the unicorn BAA finishers medal!!! It doesn't say how slow I was and it doesn't say how I almost quit. What it does say is that I participated in a world class sporting event with the BEST atheletes in the world. My time was not recorded but I finished the race and for that I am grateful.

Boston was an experience. I did not qualify and ran for a non-BAA recognized charity therefore had no number. If you can't qualify run BANDIT for the experience, but if you really want to feel like a winner run NYC. I've run NYC twice and it's for everyone no matter what your time. Believe it or not, there are more spectators. Everyone gets a number and medal too. Remember to print your name on the front of your shirt. NYC is the best.

Would not go to Boston again, due to the lack of job-johnies and the late day start. Too many years the temperature has been way too warm at noon.