Boston Marathon

Boston, MA

Race Dates

2014: Monday, April 21, 2014
2013: Monday, April 15, 2013

Course Information

Profile: Downhill
Type: Point to Point
Surface: Road/Pavement
Certified?: Yes

Miscellaneous Information

Early Entry Fee: $150
Pace Groups?: No

Rating:

PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 98.04
Course Score: 99.61

Race Day Weather

Mean Temperature: 49°F (9°C)
Average High: 57°F (13°C)
Average Low: 41° F (5°C)
Historical Weather

Race Size

2013: 17,580 Finishers

2012: 21,554 Finishers

2011: 23,879 Finishers

Elevation Chart

Maximum Elevation: 470 feet

Minimum Elevation: 10 feet

Course Description

The legendary Boston Marathon course follows a point-to-point route from rural Hopkinton to Boston and is certified per the guidelines set forth by the IAAF and USA Track and Field.

If run wisely and with patience, the course can be very fast. However, for many runners who are aggressive in the early downhill miles, may struggle once they reach the Newton Hills and/or the downhill/flat last 10K.

Runner Ratings & Reviews

BQin' Bob's review of 2011 race.   

Review

It's Boston. What else can I say. I qualified after my fourth attempt over three years. It was worth the wait! The crowds were awesome on every bit of the course. Welleslley didn't disappoint, but the kids at Boston College were incredible and came right after Heartbreak Hill.

Race Tips

After I BQ'd, I trained specifically for the Boston course. The hill work I did got me over the hills in Newton, but I was really unprepared for the downhills after that. My legs really blew up. I'd recommend training downhills for this course more than concentrating on the uphills. I still managed to PR though!

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

We stayed at the Marriott just down from the Hynes Civic Center (expo). It was very convenient. Although on race morning we had to take a taxi to the buses since the nearest subway line was closed.

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