I loved this marathon. It was the most exciting experience running I have ever had. The crowds were great and I truly didn't want the marathon to end except maybe at mile 23! The Wellsley Women were AWESOME! I didn't run a PR but was just a few minutes off my best time and that was talking, yelling and taking pictures the whole way! IT WAS A SUPER MARATHON!!!

I can't say anything more than what's already been said about boston. Just thinking about boston makes me want to cry.

running boston #4 in 2003.

My third marathon and while the course is not PR material, the fan support is nonstop excitement for 26.2 miles. Historic course filled with landmarks. Technically it is difficult compared to what I've done (Chicago and Madison) but it's so much fun, if a marathon can be called fun.

Still can't believe I ran, or for that matter qualified for the freakin' Boston Marathon! This was my 3rd marathon and was it a doozie! The organization was top notch, the fans unbelievable, those Wellsley girls floated me through on their cheers and high fives... I wasn't prepared for how abused my body would feel afterwards, so sore I couldn't attend the post race party, and I never miss a party! I was fine after Cleveland and Columbus marathons, it's those damn hills! Also, all I heard about was Heartbreak, which I didn't find too bad, it's all those smaller hills after Heartbreak that got me mad! The crowds were unbelievable, I feasted on oranges, popsickles, even jellybeans through out the course! I hope to run it again, this time with my husband, and have our 6 kids at mile 21 to cheer us through to the finish! IF YOU QUALIFY...DO BOSTON!!!!

Just read the comments of other Boston finishers, then compare with the notes on other marathons. Other marathons evoke evaluation of technical details - course profile, logistical deficiencies, quibbling about t-shirt or medal design.

In stark contrast, so many of the comments from Boston finishers on this website are about heart, emotion, honor, and pride. And as a two-time Boston finisher, I submit that's what separates this race from the pack: The honor of qualifying. The responsibility to run well, no matter what your time. The history, or as another runner put it so eloquently, 'Running in the footsteps of greatness.' The unbelievable emotion of the fans. The challenge of preparing to run well on a difficult course. The pride of rounding the final corner onto Boylston and realizing that you are a player in one of the great scenes in sport.

Sure I wish we didn't have the 3-4 hour wait in Hopkinton. I agree; better food at the finish line would be nice. BAA: I hope you can make those changes, but don't worry. As long as I can keep qualifying, I'll be back.

For a the serious recreational runner, for thousands of us who have worked for years to achieve a qualifying time, qualifying for and then finishing the Boston Marathon is all about heart, honor and pride. It's about running in the footsteps of Salazar and Beardsley. It's about digging deep on Heartbreak to honor the thousands cheering you on. And for runners, typically modest, the hardest thing of all may be to embrace the accomplishment and have the courage to take pride in being a Boston finisher.

What can I say -- it's the Boston marathon! It was fantastic to participate in the World's ultimate marathon and to run in the footsteps of greatness. The race is very well organized and the Boston fans are outstanding. My only minor suggestion is to shorten the very long wait in the athlete's village prior to the start. It was fun for the first hour, but it got old after that. Bring warm clothes for the wait, even if it's supposed to be a warm day. But I'm not complaining; this was my first Boston and it was everything I thought it would be (and more). I feel extremely fortunate to have qualified for this race and I hope to be back for many years to come!

This was my 35th marathon, my 7th Boston, and for the 2nd consecutive year I set a marathon PR running this race. The race just gets better, and though at 40 I don't know how many more of these I will get to run, I enjoy each and every one like a visit to a precious friend. The course has become a friend and so are those who put this race on though I have never met them. Liked the narrower starting bins...made for better start once you hit the mats. Also the changes to the athlete's village were nice and that gets better every year as well. As always the crowds define the course, and I loved every step. Can't wait to see you again next year.

April 15, 2002 is a day I'll never forget. This was my first Boston and only my third marathon, yet the third time was a charm because it was the most incredible experience! I accomplished both of my personal goals--breaking 3 hours and enjoying the entire experience. The crowds were AMAZING throughout the entire course and the organization was superb. I will always remember turning onto Boylston...what an awesome feeling. I thank God for the opportunity to have participated in such an awesome race! Thanks to the BAA for all of their hard work!!!

This was my first Boston Marathon and it was absolutely an amazing day. It was extremely difficult and was a long day. The wait in the morning at Hopkinton was, in of itself, exhausting. I wonder if is really necessary to have to board the buses in Boston at 6:30AM? I cannot say how incredible the crowds were- and they stay to see everyone and cheer until they cannot speak! Boston fans were amazing- and you really do need the encouragment- even when you see the Citigo sign there is still a long way to go! The organization was superb. I hope to have the privledge to run this again.

For me, the negatives in this race almost outweight the positives. There are the hours of waiting around in Hopkinton, with very little to do. The long lines for the port-a-johns got to be figuratively and literally a real pain. The degree of crowding at the start and at the finish were distressing. Claustrophobia was a tangible feeling. The race course is a fast course, but the downhill nature of it is hard on the quads. The shirt is nice, and so is the medal, but they are fairly standard. Getting food and drink at the finish? Forget it! For the 4 hour runners (I was 4:00:23) the streets were so crowded as to be virtually impassable. I have no plans to return to this race anytime soon.