I'm glad I ran Boston, but it's not a race I'll come back to. As well organized as this race is, Boston is too large for me to enjoy. From the expo, to the start line, to the finish line, everything was crowded. The expo, in particular, was a mad house and the merchandise was overpriced.

I don't like catching a bus to the start line at 6:00 and waiting for hours for the race to begin. The first 10 miles of the course aren't interesting at all. Thank goodness for the spectators along the course, because they are great.

After seven attempts to qualify, the reward for success was well worth it. There was no disappointment.

Boston took me 6 years and 12 tries to finally get to, so I was just pleased to get to the starting line. The only negatives are ones that go along with the history of the race - a late starting time made me starving by lunch time, it was a very tight course, and there was a lot of waiting for buses and drop-offs. That aside, this was a very well oiled race with caring spectators and great organization. It exceeded the hype. I think in retrospect that I prefer Chicago, but there is only 1 Boston. I hope to return!

Boston, wow - it was the experience of a lifetime. The fans were amazing for most of the 26.2 miles - especially at Boston College! The BAA has this organized to a T, especially after 114 years. The course is difficult from mile 16-21; the rest is a lot of downhills and rollers (not too bad). I took a bus tour of the course the day before and I recommend doing that if you have never run this race. This was my first Boston and I already BQ'ed there for next year, so I will be back!

Honestly, what more could one ask for in a race? Extremely well organized, fantastic fan support for a full 26.2, a beautiful course, perfect weather (not a guarantee of course), and a great history of this event. What a blessing to be able to run this race!

For those in doubt, the course is very manageable and the hills were certainly not as daunting as many would claim. I actually had a PR in Boston (2:59) and held my split times throughout the course. If you train for hills, both the up and down, you will have no problem.

If one is able to qualify for Boston, this is simply a race you must run for the pure experience.

If you ever get a chance to run this marathon, DO IT! The crowd support is incredible - for a few hours of your life you'll feel like a rock star as the people of Boston come out and cheer you on.

I've never been to a better organized race. The drop-off at Hopkinton State Park was a breeze, with volunteers keeping things moving and regular shuttle buses to the start. The runners' village had plenty of porta-potties, and the corral start was a godsend - the first race where I didn't have to weave in and out of slower runners for the first few miles. The water stations were well stocked and well staffed, and the finish area was the best I've seen. The reusable bag full of post-race treats was a great touch. I didn't do the bag check but it also was the best organized I've ever seen and it looked like a breeze.

I was one of about 150 runners who had some sort of glitch with their timing chip, so I still haven't gotten my official finish time, but BAA is well-organized and immediately let me know they are working on the problem and will get me a final finishing time. They also seemed to have problems this year with the runner text message and email alerts from AT&T; I hope they can work that out for next year because otherwise, with the huge crowd sizes near the finish line, it can be a bit hard for friends and family to know when you've finished and to go meet you.

The course itself is TOUGH. The hills aren't so bad running up - even Heartbreak. The real heartbreak about that hill is actually the downhill afterward. Be sure to train with both uphill and downhill repeats to avoid having your legs feel like goo. I hadn't trained very hard for this race since I wanted to just enjoy it and not worry about my time and I still did OK - nowhere near a PR, but not my worst time.

The spectators are unbelievable - I thought I was going to go deaf when we ran by the Wellesley girls! This is really a top-notch race and should be a must for anyone who appreciates being surrounded by 25,000 other people who love running equally as much. Thanks to all lf the volunteers and all of the folks who came out to cheer us on!

I thought this was a beautiful course to run. I wish I had known in advance that it was as hilly as it was. From reading, it seemed like a very gradual downhill with one big hill near the end to go up. This is what I trained for... LOL. My quads took a beating from all of the hills.

Cons of this race:
#1. The number of toilets availabe during the race was very, very small.
#2 The packet pick up was expensive; we had to spend $30 in parking just to go get the packet. On the outside of the parking it said, "Special $19," but on the way out they took the sign down and the girl pointed to the sign and said this is the price... not to mention that someone tried to break into our car and the facility shugged their shoulders and did not care. Yes, we parked in the facility right under the mall where the packet pick up was and in the suggested spot. What I learned: Just expect to pay a lot in Boston.
#3 The expo was absolute, complete madness... very fun but WAY over-crowded.

A suggestion of something I wish they could do but I understand why they don't (given the number of runners) is to have volunteers place the medal around your neck after you cross the finish line and get your picture taken with it. (My husband couldn't even come close to seeing me cross the finish line because the crowds were so tight.) The waiting in line after a race to pick up your medal just seems so impersonal.

Positive things:
#1. Beautiful course.
#2. You couldn't ask for better specatators. I have never seen so many out to cheer runners on - amazing.
#3 Just that it was Boston - a major marathon you have to qualify for, and all of the really fast runners were there. Great experience!!

A great experience in Boston (my 16th marathon). I was most shocked and impressed with the knowledgeable average citizens of Boston. They even know a marathon is 26.2 miles - totally refreshing. The race organization is fantastic. The volunteers are around in high numbers - thank you, volunteers.

Wellesley was my favorite part. The town and the girls were great. As a female, I wasn't expecting the girls to "get me excited," but as I ran through I had chill bumps. It was amazing. Keep the tradition going.

I had thought the 10:30 a.m. start would be an issue, but I practiced a later start for 5-6 of my long runs and it wasn't a problem, and ended up being nice to sleep in until 6:00 on marathon day.

For me the course was VERY hilly. I was expecting it to be bad from 16-21, but the hills were nonstop from 1-26.

The course is not very scenic, but with all of the spectators that is ok.

The history of this one, the Bostonians, and the Wellesley girls make this a must-do.

If you have not run Boston then you have not lived. Having done Big Sur, Marine Corps, and others, there is nothing that compares with the aura of this race or the look in the eyes of every competitor as the start approaches. Then the world's best fans provide fuel throughout the 26.2-mile journey. The colorful race jackets identify the brotherhood/sisterhood in the days after the race, silently yet proudly announcing, "I ran Boston!"

This was my first Boston Marathon and it was the best race I've ever been a part of. The organization is first-class and the spectators and volunteers are the best! The kids on the side of the course handing out oranges and giving high fives are awesome! It is well worth the hard work and effort to qualify for this Magical Marathon.