Once again, a hot day and the noon start spelled disaster for what was my only spring marathon this year. After a few miles, I got the brilliant idea of slowing up to run another spring marathon for time. Everything but the noon start is first-rate. I won't be back again until this memory fades.

I'm from Canada and ran my first Boston Marathon. It was a experience of a life time. What more can you say about the spectators? The course was lined with angels. Even on the subway ride back to our vehicle, people were offering seats and congratulating me. The heat only added to the memories I will cherish for a long time.

Ok, I know you cannot control the weather, but maybe its time to re-think the noon start... I'm 0 for 2 at Boston (last year, mid 70s, this year mid 80s). As usual, the fans are great... they even seemed sober this year & didn't yell at you if you started walking. I did appreciate all those out spraying us with their garden hoses and those with ice chests... thank you! To add insult to injury, I had to listen to everyone along the way cheering for the Sox beating the Yanks! (oh well... :)) I'm not sure I have the strength to come back yet another time and gamble with this weather... Boston has become my nemisis...

What an emotional day. Yes, it was the hottest run I have ever done and I'm from Austin. It's hard to believe anyone made it through the heat. I'm convinced if you did finish it was because of the unwavering support of the crowds. The ice pops, bags of ice and hoses were life savers in the blistering heat.
Regardless of how miserable I felt, I was amazed at the way the 'fans' carried you through the course. I get all choked up when I'm telling friends about the encouragement of the residents of Mass. Will I be back? You bet, regardless of the slow 2004 times, real runners go back to prove they can conquer.

WHINERS AND COMPLAINERS SHOULD NOT GO TO BOSTON! Boston is a privilege, not a right. You are paricipating in a world-class sporting event with almost 20,000 others. BAA does an AMAZING JOB! In order to start the race early, they would have to begin busing people to Hopkinton at 2am! Think about it. The communities from Hopkinton to Boston are amazing. A family in Hopkinton offered their house and facilities to me and my friends - they didn't know us from Adam. The Wellesley girls - screaming for at least two hours. The kind gentleman at mile 18 who met me as I left a porto-potty with a cool glass of water and offer to spritz me down with a cool mister. The 100,000's who lined the roads for 26.2 miles.

People, it doesn't get any better than this. For the charity runners, I commend your efforts, but Boston is and always should be about those who trained, sweated, bled and sacrificed to earn their way to the starting line. If you ran for charity, I suggest that you press your charity to tell you EXACTLY how much of the money you raised actually goes for the beneficiaries of that charity. The cost of plane fares, hotels, Gatorade for training runs, etc. adds up and doesn't benefit the charities' constituents.

This was my 5th Boston and it was the hottest weather I've ever run a marathon in...and I'm from Houston.

The fans, organization, and event itself are top-notch. The Boston Marathon is the gold standard.

If you ever get the chance to run it...don't let it pass you by!

Yeah, the course is difficult, and yeah, it was hot this year, but this is a race I'll never forget. I was a half hour off my best, and finished right in line with where my bib number suggested I would be.

Boston really is the Super Bowl of marathons. The last 5-6 miles had people 10 deep cheering you down the street. Like nothing else I've run.

I'll be back to get my revenge and run a respectable time. For now I'll enjoy knowing that I survived the 2004 run in the sun.

A hundred + years of tradition is not a good enough reason to keep that noon start time. I'm serious. It's time for change. I don't care if 85 degrees is an anomaly. It was 70 last year and that was bad enough!

Apparently, there was a 40-degree temperature difference this year on Patriot's Day. If the race had started at 8:00 or even 9:00, it would have been a very different story for a lot of people. I've done marathons of varying degrees of difficultly and weather conditions, but never had the pleasure of experiencing heat exhaustion until the other day. Luckily, I mananaged to finish (albeit a half hour slower than my qualifying time). At least one person from my running club wasn't as luckly. Both of us had plently to drink; it wasn't a matter of being dehydrated.

Unfortunately, I found this year's Boston to be a demoralizing experience, not to mention horribly uncomfortable. It was great to qualify, but I'll never run it again. I don't consider it a 'repeater', especially since the weather is SO unpredicatable. It doesn't help that the race starts at the worst possible time.

This was my second Boston. Despite the BRUTAL weather, the spectators were once again TOTALLY AWESOME. Every inch of the way along the course of this hot, miserable day they were encouraging and supportive. They had water, oranges, and HOSES (THANK YOU FOR THE HOSES--THEY WERE GREAT!). I'm from Houston, but running the Boston course in that temperature is just so difficult no matter where you are from.

The volunteers were OUTSTANDING. Every one of them was overly helpful and patient and knowledgeable. I will be back next year, for sure--please try to have temperatures in the 40's (smile). Thank you for the best organized marathon (or any race), most knowledgeable spectators and volunteers I have ever encountered!

This was my second marathon. I ran for a charity. I did hear some discussion of there being a good mix of qualified runners and charity runners. I found that I was tolerated... about the best I can say. The City of Boston must profit tremendously from the marathon and they are trying to get every penny they can. The room rates are extremely high, and if you choose to book through the website, be advised. They will take your money, but won't commit to where you will stay! The reservationist I spoke with was arrogant.

There were no mile markers remaining on the course by the time I got there, so I relied on a good natured but boozy crowd. I had 4 more miles to go for about 6 miles. The clock was running when I crossed the finish but they had evidently stopped recording. They could care less. In return for all the money I spent I won't even get a finish time. Run Boston if you must, but don't expect any compassion.