The finisher tshirts were only available in XL halfway through day 2 of the 3 day expo, and all other merchandise had VERY limited sizes. They didn't seem to plan ahead very well. I had to order my jacket and when it came and was too large, they wouldn't let me exchange it for a smaller size. I also couldn't order the matching pants because they said they could only place really large re-orders and they didn't have enough reorders for the pants. The post-race was lame. Food was pretty much non-existent. We were handed a 'goodie bag' at the finish line consisting of: a bag of chips, a bright green banana, a Power Bar, and ONE bottle of water. (They wanted to make sure all the runners got one!) No 'All you can eat, help yourself' like at most marathons. They never mentioned that we would wait OUTSIDE for up to 4 hours before the start of the race. It was about 37 degrees at the start in 2000. After the race they couldn't seem to locate anybody's bag. (It was raining and about 20 degrees with the wind chill.) I was miserable and miserably disappointed in the whole experience. Not worth the cash. Way overhyped! What was good about it? Boston is a cool city, and I ran a great race because I was so darn cold I couldn't wait to finish and get somewhere warm!

Boston is a phenomenal experience in every way. For first-timers, I strongly recommend driving the length of the course beforehand. Yes, there is a net loss in elevation from miles 1 to 16, but there are significant uphills to deal with in that stretch as well. Also, be cautious in the opening miles--the downhill start and screaming crowds tempt one to go out too fast. You'll pay for it later if you are not careful. I ran a PR by forcing myself to keep the pace back through the halfway mark, cruising through the Newton hills, then pushing hard to the finish. I passed hundreds of people in the hills who were paying a heavy price for taking it out too hard. Hitting the wall is never fun, but it would be especially bad to have to walk down Boylston to the finish.

Okay, so I'm biased--I live near Boston and can train on the course, but of the marathons I've run, its the best. The closest to it is London that I've run. I think Boston is better though because the course is more challenging and varied and it is less crowded. The crowd support especially at Wellesley (the college women), on Heartbreak and from Kenmore Square to the finish is truly amazing. You get goosebumps many times along this course! In summary, if you run marathons, you gotta do this one, preferably as many times as you can.

I ran the Boston Marathon unofficially, but I must say it was a most rewarding experience. I ran the Honolulu Marathon to try and qualify but I was off by 20 min. but I ran it and I will run officially next year. It was awesome to be a part of it, I'm looking forward to next year.

I don't think much needs to be said about Boston. However, if you qualify, GO! Its a great experience. The crowd support is amazing & is definitely what makes this experience well worth the effort. The course is tough on the legs (prepare for downhill & uphill!), but it is Boston, so who cares!

My only advice for runners is to stay as close as possible to the finish area. I stayed in another part of Boston & I feel like I missed out on a lot of the post-race activities because of it.

A wonderful marathon. The history, the spectators, the world class leaders, the support and the runners are great. Folks are friendly and happy, and crowd support is simply the best (and I've run Chicago, LA, Seattle, Vancouver, Las Vegas and the 82nd airborne). So many families out for the Patriot's Day holiday, so many kids giving smiles, high 5s, orange slices, etc. There's the race expo, the folks who take your chip off your shoe, wrap you in a space blanket, ask if you're ok, give runners massages, etc. The many runners, all of whom had to run another race to get in, many of whom (like me) had wanted to run it for years (thanks for easing the qualifying time) I could have run 2:50 in the old days only if the stars had aligned just so...). My friend and I have run this toegther 3 times and plan to for as many years to come as our skills and families allow. Heartbreak hill isn't so bad with thousands cheering you on. The only slight bummer is having to get up early to catch buses out to Hopkinton, then sit around for hour. How about it BAA- can't you start them an hour later?

If you are an average marathoner, like me, then do this race! You feel like an olympian from start to finish. Start too fast and suffer the last 1/2...start conservatively and enjoy the race throughout! Do it!

I ran the 2000 Boston Marathon in support of Children's Hospital here in Boston. I was a patient there as a child. They saved my life and it was time to give something back.

This was my first marathon. I didn't have to qualify, but I had to raise at least $2000 to get one of 100 numbers that the BAA provided to the hospital for the marathon. If you ever get a chance to do this for one of the local Boston charities, do it. It is so much fun! The only reason I am not doing it next year is that my job moved out of state (hire me) and (hire me) I (hire me) need (hire me) a (hire me) job (hire me.)

Anyway, a few hints. Water stops are not stops. If you stop you will be rear-ended. You need to lock on the cup from 30 feet out, home in, grab it on the run, close it, get back on the highway, and then drink. If you have drunk too much water and you have to go, do stop, wait in line, and pump the bilge. Your kidneys will thank you when you reach the Newton hills. In the portajohn, keep your mind on racing. After the deal is done, this is not the marathon, it's the bloody Preakness. Blast out of the john like a true racehorse and get back up to speed. You'll get lots of laughs, but if you do it right, you won't be around long enough to hear them.

Have fun, and remember, kidneys are your friends!

This was my second marathon and it was a blast. Everything about the race was world class. The crowds are the biggest and best. The staff is excellent and Boston is a great city. If I never run another step it would be alright because I ran the grandaddy of all races.

Running a marathon is not easy and Boston's topography makes it even more dificult. But if you want to run a marathon this is the one. Everything is great, the party start since you arrive in Boston. The organization is just perfect, no waiting lines, no waiting only smiles, all prerace events are well organized, the only minus here there were to few resting tents at the runners villa before the race, but there again a lot of aid stations during and after the race. The course is tough, but the sceneary is just perfect, and then spectators there is no word for them. To put it short, this year's marathon was my 6th (3rd Boston), if I run a marathon again Boston is my first choice, I could come back every year.