Any event, especially one of this size, takes fine-tuning, planning and execution, and the race directors and volunteers did exactly that. From months before the starting gun went off, the communication from the race director was outstanding. He addressed every aspect of the race all of us first-timers, and was a quick reply to any questions. Pre-race, the expo was very small, but the pasta dinner was free and delicious. Pre-race number pickup the day before went off without a hitch. Use of the Tsongas Arena was welcomed to get warm, stretch, use the restroom, change, etc.

As for race day, we could have hoped for better weather (being mid-October and all), but that's no fault of the organizers'. The course itself was as flat as advertised, especially in New England. Please don't be THAT fooled by the fact that such a high percentage of finishers are BQ's - that also means that this race draws a lot of fast runners as well, looking to BQ or PR. The course had its fair share of spectators, particularly around miles 3, 13, 22 - all points in the same area that the marathoners loop through. The "bouncing bridge" crossing the river at the farthest point away on the course was something else. The volunteers were very enthusiastic, as I heard they would be - even at the latter stages of the race. The finish was awesome, being in such a place where space and seating isn't at all at a premium.

The only gripe I have was that the men's bathroom at the top of the stairs after the finish was out of order, so I had to walk to the other side of the stadium to use it. At this point, my teeth were literally chattering because I was so cold, so to be out of the rain and cold right away would have helped. But the chicken soup helped warm my core, and I was on my way. Definitely not an experience to forget, and the event is definitely recommended!

I decided to try yet another road marathon after DNFing at the VT 100 in July. I figured I had a huge base of high mileage weeks, and it was time to go for my first BQ. I was told that Bay State was the place to go. After intensifying my training to get back the speed I had lost through ultra running, I PR'ed by over 13 minutes. Bay State is fast and well-organized. Finishing in the stadium was cool, although I hauled ass out of there afterward due to the cold and snow.

The ultimate highlight was the SURPRISE visit my girlfriend made out to Lowell to watch me finish and share in the moment. Love you, Kellie!

The expo, start, and finish line were all really close together, near the UMass - Lowell Campus. However, I arrived late Saturday evening, and could not find a place to park. Then I was too late for packet pickup anyway, so I finished that in the morning at the Tsongas Arena. It was probably in the mid 40's in the morning. Around 7:40 folks were heading from the arena to the starting line, a couple of blocks away. By then a light mist had started falling; the sky was totally overcast. The race started minutes past 8:00 a.m., and headed west through the UMass Campus. After about three miles, the half marathon course separated to the north. Our course pretty much followed the Merrimac River. Eight miles up the river we crossed over the river. On the north side of the river there was lots of green growth, giving a woodsy feel to that part of the course. From mile 3 to 22.5 was a double loop along and around the river. We crossed the river four times over three different bridges, once near the finish line. After the second loop we proceeded to the Aiken Street Bridge. Crossing this bridge, the runners re-entered the university campus. When I crossed this bridge I noticed snowflakes in the air! Just before the end - still on campus - the course entered the stadium playing field, as we approached the finish line.

Some observations: This course was very flat, following the Merrimac River; the aid stations workers provided encouragement and fluids; one station during the double loop part had GU gels; there were pockets of folks cheering along the course, but not a lot of people. The weather was drizzly rain for most of the day, and the temperature at the finish line was 37 degrees F (exactly the same weather as for the Denver Marathon, 2007, exactly two years ago today!). Upstairs in the stadium they had hot soup for the runners - somebody did their homework getting ready for this race! Other food was peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, bagels, Cape Cod chips, and mini-size Snickers and Milky Way-type candy bars. Soup and sandwiches never tasted so good!

One last thing: The registration for this marathon closed on September 2 - kind of early, I thought. It was after that that I became interested in running this race. I e-mailed the race committee and asked if there were any other options that would permit me to gain entry (I was planning a double with Green Mountain, VT the day before). One week later I received a registration form via e-mail, allowing me to register and run. I understand that marathons in downtown areas sometimes have runner limits and time limits that they must observe. In any case, the folks putting on this event were flexible in permitting me to run. For that I say a big "thank you." If you choose to run this race in the future, please consider registering early.

The course itself is pretty much as flat as you can get in New England (just a few small hills, which are really nothing and help to work different muscles). The volunteers make this race - always cheery and helpful, even in the absolutely miserable weather we had this year (cold, cold rain!). I didn't stay for the post-race food this time since we chose to go over to the brewery instead. I picked up my race number at the running store in Acton the Tuesday before the race - where else can you get your number THAT early?

I've heard some people complain about the half and the full jointly making the road too crowded. I didn't have any issues, as I planned to start the first few miles slow, but I can see how it might have affected those who started too far back, or who had an even-pacing strategy.

A big thanks to all of the volunteers. Baystate remains a nice, close-by marathon. Definitely the course for a PR, and even on a crappy day, it was good for a BQ!

I made it through. With the horrible weather (cold, wind, and rain), finishing was a significant accomplishment. The water stop people were so helpful, friendly, and smart. Thanks for the help. This was the first time I have run this newer course. There were a few small rises, but if the weather had been better, I wouldn't have noticed them at all.

This had to be the worst weather I've ever run a marathon in: Cold, windy, snowy, and rainy. With that said, the race is a must for anyone trying to qualify for Boston. I have run this race three times and qualified two out of three times. I ran this race 10 years ago, and they have made some great improvements over the years.

This is a great course and I will run again next year. The pacers did a great job as well. The fans were out in force at key points on the course. That being said, fall in New England can be unpredictable. The weather was nasty - windy and rainy (more wind than rain). I missed 3:10 by four minutes, but I have no regrets. Any marathon you finish is a good marathon. The double loop is nice; you know what's coming for the second loop and can try to make time up in a couple of sections. Even knowing that I didn't run a 3:10, I did run with a couple of guys I met on the course. We really helped each other through the last couple of miles. Overall, great marathon: 1,500 runners and another 1,500 half marathoners made for a big race!! Congrats to anyone who qualified on this tough day in New England. Forty-one states represented great turnout.

I can't say enough about the water stops in this race! The high school teams that were there to support the runners on a cold, windy and rainy day. They could not have been better!!!

If we all donated just $10 with our votes for best water stop, it would raise at least $15,000 to divide among the schools. What better way to support these kids who stood out there for every runner and got just as cold and wet as we did? Please get the word out and let's help them as they helped us!

About the course: it is flat, and on any other day (not in a nor'easter), it would have been the fastest I've done (I have done Chicago, Houston and Disney World, among others). It has the easiest and nicest number pick-up ever. Small expo, but this is a small race, and a free pasta dinner for runners with inexpensive registration. You can't beat it.

The only thing I did not like was having to climb the steps up the stadium to food and standing in the freezing rain, soaking wet from the run, to get food - and then standing in the rain to get down the stairs to get out. I was so cold and wet that all I wanted to do was change, and not knowing the area, I didn't realize where the arena was. I know on a sunny, nice day the stadium would be great; it just doesn't work on these types of days, and unfortunately in New England, they do happen.

Otherwise, I loved everything else about the race. Everyone was so nice. The people I met along the course were great too. I will back again to try yet again for my BQ!

This was my eighth marathon... and it definitely stands out from the others for its great course and wonderful small-town charm. After marathons such as Marine Corp and Boston, it's refreshing to run in a much smaller field. The course itself was wonderful - even though it was open to traffic in several spots there was ample room for both cars and runners. The storyline for 2009 was the biting temps combined with heavy rain (later snow) and wind. I have never been so numb to the core in my life. Although this year was not a PR race for me, I don't think that anything that was within human control could have been done any better - I'll be back again for this one! Gorgeous fall colors, wonderful race organization and the showers available afterward were all highlights for me.

I ran the 2009 Bay State Marathon, and was proud to finish in the freezing cold temperatures. The race is very well-organized, and the volunteers who braved the conditions were terrific. The countryside is beautiful, and I felt that the organizers did a wonderful job. There are a few areas where the spectators were a bit sparse, but the course is flat and forgiving.