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Boston Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Boston Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.6 
Organization 4.6 
Spectators 4.9
Number of comments: 418 [displaying comments 401 to 411]
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A Runner from Lenexa, Kansas
(12/21/2001)
 "I finally made it!" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I had been trying to get into this marathon for 5 years so nothing could dampen my excitement of running in this one. We lucked out in 2001 with perfect weather! It's not fun waiting around for four hours for the start, but the excited, cheering crowds and being part of a historical, famous marathon make up for it. Just like every other marathon I've run in; the finish is anti-climactic. (the only exception to that is my qualifier) I expected this, so I ran very slow the last mile and took it all in. I stood in the middle of hundreds of people I didn't know and cried when it was over. It still gives me chills. Wow, what an experience! | |
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A Runner from Toronto, Canada
(8/18/2001)
 "pure excitment, when I wasn't feeling like dying!" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The race was very exciting, although I was nervous about it. Athletes village was unforgettable and I will never forget how cold it was...thank you to the girl who lent me her track pants...I can't remember your name. The spectators were absolutely amazing...because of them I got through it! | |
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A Runner from Colorado
(7/8/2001)
"The Ultimate Marathon" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The Atmosphere is really special and the crowd support the best I have ever experienced in my 25 years of running. My only complaint is that Gatorade is the sports drink offered at the aid stations and it does not work for me so I could only drink water...Be prepared for quite a pounding. For whatever reason Boston beat me up more than any other marathon I have ever run..All in All a fantastic experience. If you can handle the pounding there is a good chance of running a fast time..I will definitely do it again.. | |
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A Runner from Scottsdale, AZ
(6/22/2001)
"Every Runner's Dream Come True" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This year was my third Boston Marathon and I qualified again for number four with a personal best. I love this marathon and it is an honor to run it, if you qualify for it. The city, the fans, the volunteers, the runners and our family and friends make this race a dream come true. From the moment I step foot in Boston, I am at ease and enjoy touring the city, going to the expo and even though it seems like a long time to wait to start the race, the Athelete's Village is a great place to meet old and new friends and listen to all the wonderful Boston stories. This is the marathon of all marathons. There is not one race that compares to this marathon. It is a tough course, but if you come prepared you can set a personal record. I keep getting better and better every year. I never imagined I would be running the Boston Marathon, but my dreams have come true and I will have wonderful memories to share for a lifetime. | |
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A Runner from Des Moines, Iowa
(6/17/2001)
 "Disappointing, overblown, not much for the money." (about: 2000)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 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! | |
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A Runner from Washington, PA
(5/10/2001)
"Race strategy" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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. | |
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A Runner from Boston
(4/21/2001)
"Boston's tough, but it's the best!" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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. | |
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Jacki Thomas from Boston, MA
(4/18/2001)
"Boston Marathon rocks" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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. | |
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A Runner from Colorado Springs, CO
(4/15/2001)
"Anyone who qualifies must run this race!" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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. | |
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A Runner from San Francisco, CA
(2/6/2001)
"Every Marathoner should run this once!" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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? |
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