As with many people, qualifying for and running Boston has been a dream of mine for some time. Running the 2003 Boston, my 1st Boston, and 6th marathon, was the realization of my goal. The course was very difficult, made even harder by the very hot conditions (low 70's and no clouds/shade). The downhills early in the course beat-up my quads and I paid for it late in the race.
Crowd support was tremendous. The energy of the women of Wellesley was infectious and the residents of Newton all had cowbells; what a beautiful chorus that made. There were sections early in the course where the crowds were thin, but when it counted the crowds were there and cheering like mad. In my experience the crowds here are on par with the tremendous crowds that come out for the New York Marathon.
I?m sure I?ll run Boston again, but, I?ll be sure to do more specific hill training in order to better protect my quads. Organization was excellent, and the finishing stretch on Boylston is the best finish I have ever experienced.

Even though I had many, many runner friends describe the Boston experience to me. I was totally un-prepared for the sensory overload of this race. The huge spectator crowd was a nightmare straight out of a Steven King novel. The crowd was either heckling, or cheering mindlessly at inappropriate times. I ran my worst marathon ever due to physical problems compounded by the never ending noise generated by this non-running crowd. If this race could be run without the spectators. It would be the greatest marathon ever. I felt chills running on the same course my childhood idols once battled. I will run this marathon again. But next time I will wear a shirt that says 'SHUT UP-I'M TRYING TO RUN'

For all its rolling hills and narrow, sloping early miles, this race is the best experience I've had in competitive running. I think it is because of the competitive nature of the field, the excellent, challenging course, but most of all the tremendous crowds from beginning to end. If you have the chance, running 26.2 miles with non-stop cheering is a privilege you should not deny yourself.

After reading all the comments here, and many other places, maybe my expectations were too high. The course map is terribly deceiving. There are many more hills than the elevation map shows, which all serve to beat you up. It is a very difficult course. Having to ride a school bus out to Hopkinton over 4 hours before the race begins is tough. While waiting in the starting coral, all I heard was someone on a speaker system 'directing traffic', telling runners how to enter the appropriate coral (wouldn't some signs have sufficed?). Never heard any of the pre-race announcements, never even heard the start of the race. The crowds were good, but not what I expected. Most of the spectators were incredibly supportive, but there were plenty of rude ones as well heckling those who were broken by the course and walking. I am thankful I had the opportunity to experience Boston once, but will never go back.

This was my second Boston, and I still don't have the right words to describe it. The expo is a crowded mad house, the wait in Hopkinton is long, getting to the middle corrals can be a mob scene - but the minute you cross that line in Hopkinton, with every resident cheering you, it's all worth it. From Ashland to Natick, Wellesley to Heartbreak, Cleveland Circle to that last turn onto Boylston - never a dull moment, always the cheers and support of a respectful crowd, every runner a champion. There is no race like Boston - no race more seamlessly organized, no race more steeped in history. By running in the footsteps of the great, each of us becomes great. So I heard the theme to Chariots of Fire the whole way - so what? It's Boston, and there's just nothing in the world like it.

The tradition of the Boston Marathon speaks for itself. It is the prize marathon for those of us who have a shot at qualifying - The rack on which to hang our hat and be able to say 'Yes, I qualified and ran Boston.' But, the pre-race is a nightmare. Many people agree that you should try to mimick your marathon day routine in your training. The Boston Marathon does not allow that. In order to prepare properly, one would have to wake up early on long-run days, put on running gear, sit outside for three-and-a-half hours and in what could be cold, rainy, gloomy weather, then begin running at noon. The expectations of the runners prior to the marathon are unsensible. Runners must get on busses in Boston that leave before 8 a.m. for a 12:00 race in order to be guaranteed to make it to the start. There are no indoor facility available lines are huge. The organizers need to make this more runner friendly by changing the course. The race should start and finish in Boston to allow the runners to prepare properly. It can still be scenic by going through the Southie, Charlestown, Bunker Hill, Cambridge, Brookline, or other neighboring towns. This will allow the race to start earlier or allow the runners to remain indoors until a reasonable time before the start. It would also require less volunteers and make organization easier. People may argue that the cours is a tradition, but there are many traditions associated with this race. The course can be changed and still be scenic.

Warning... do not run this as a race! It is a pilgrimage. A happening. A 26 mile party. There are no PR's to be had, no age group awards to take home.

Be prepared to spend a long time at the staging area. You'll have to stand in a lot of long lines for everything. There is no way to relax and get some rest in the staging area.

Once the race finally starts the atmosphere is awesome. Then the next 26.2 miles are a roller coaster of emotion. Didn't even notice the hills.

I ran the Boston Marathon twice as a bandit runner. Both times the organization has welcomed me as if I were a regular runner (except I didnt get the cool bag). Everyone claims the course is hard, but you hardly think about it since the fans are infinite! Recently I ran Philadelphia marathon which is known to be an easier course; however, the lack of fans tripled its difficulty. The patriots of Boston carry you straight to Copley Square in no time. The big drawback is the crowded finish line and fenced in runners. It is not an easy escape to your bed at home; rather you are forced to walk numerous blocks until you drop (i nearly fainted myself.)
This marathon is very exciting... If you cant qualify , run bandit!!
p.s. the qualifying time is way too hard ... it allows no time to stop for the bathroom! (i was only 10 minutes too slow)

I came from Europe, Latvia to run my 222nd Marathon in Boston. I ended 2002 with 10 marathons (231 total since 1969) and Boston is still in my mind. Organizers were kind enough to make an exception accepting my entry and after the race I wrote a detailed report in my running newsletter in Latvia. I finished BM with tears in my eyes. My dream was to run the famous Boston Marathon and I did it.

Growing up on the track team, my wish was to finish a Boston Marathon. Turning 40 soon, I slapped on my Saucony shoes, bellied up to the Hopkington start line, and grinded my way to the promised land of the John Hancock tower finish line. This is not a race for the weak kneed...it is a race for those with passion. The energy of the runners and crowds was contagious as I crossed in 4:57..totally numb from heartbreak hill, the girls of Wellesley College, the crowds at BC, the young children of Natick,the fireplace aroma of Ashland, and the Hopkington corrals. The pace is fast...the course unforgiving...the race unforgettable. You must check this off your life's 'to do' list. I will be back forever.