Boston Marathon April Series: The Boston Marathon Effect
“If you are losing faith in human nature, go out and watch a marathon.”
We’re kicking off a multi-part series on the Boston Marathon, starting with how to be part of this iconic event. Whether you are running or not on race day, there are countless ways to experience the energy and community that make the marathon so special.
April in Boston. There’s truly nothing like it. It’s the month that (usually, and very inconsistently), the sun starts to re-appear and temperatures climb above fifty degrees for the first time in about six to eight months. Snow melts, green appears, pollen makes its triumphant debut, and flowers start to dot window boxes in brownstones and along the running paths on the Esplanade. The Red Sox have their home opener. Residents start to put away their winter coats and snow boots. And with this change in season comes the rumblings of the best time in the city: Boston Marathon weekend and Marathon Monday.
The 130th running of the Boston Marathon this year falls on Monday, April 20th—just over two weeks away from when this blog will be published. And even being weeks away, the excitement about the race in the city is palpable. Commercials on local news stations are announcing their coverage of the race. Local running stores and global brands alike are starting to announce shakeout runs and events they’ll be hosting marathon weekend. The city will be starting to paint the start and finish lines soon, and the BAA will start hanging flags around the city. Gold and blue will become the unofficial colors of Boston for the month, and runners’ jackets from marathons past will be dug out from the closet and worn for casual runs, training runs, commutes to work, everything. The marathon vibes are high.
And along with all the good marathon vibes comes a wave of renewed (or newfound) interest in running in the city. The beauty of the Boston Marathon is that it is one of the few marathons in which the entire city gets behind the event—it’s not limited to a small pocket of the area or something only runners and their families are hyped up about. Literally what feels like the entire city (and surrounding area, as the course stretches from Hopkinton through many towns leading to the finish line in Boston) gets into Marathon Monday. Schools close, offices close, families and neighbors host viewing parties, the Red Sox game feeds into the course, and millions of spectators line the course.
But this isn’t just a one-day thing. Feeling inspired by the lead-up to race day brings a wave of interest in running and desire to join in on the hype. So if you’re in the city or traveling to Boston to spectate, there are so many ways to get involved. Here are some great ways to be a part of the marathon magic—and some tips on best ways to get started as you’re using the infectious energy of the spring marathon season to jump start your own running journey.
So how to get involved in April/on Marathon Weekend? There are so many shakeout runs and community events and pop-ups so there’s no shortage of festivities—but this can feel overwhelming. Some of my personal favorite things to do:
If you’re local, run a portion of the marathon course on a Saturday morning leading up to the race. The carriage lane of the course is packed with runners, and charity teams have tents and tables set up to support their runners. The vibe is high and the energy is infectious. This also gives you a chance to get your legs on the course. If you’re coming from the city, you can easily take the green line out to a certain point on the course and run back to the city, so you can get the sense of turning right on Hereford and left on Boylston. Feeling extra ambitious? You can even run from Heartbreak Hill into the city, which is mile 20 on the course, so will give you the steep climb and the six mile journey to the finish line.
Scope out the pop-up events and stores in the Back Bay. Starting a week before the race, running groups and brands set up temporary hang outs and stores along Newbury Street, and many host run-focused discussions and events. Have a favorite running brand? Sign up for their emails or check their Instagram pages for updates and access to marathon week events. Some of my favorites include the Goodr store popup (love their sunglasses); the Heartbreak Hill Running Company group runs and Q&A sessions with athletes; the Tracksmith and Lululemon run lounges; if you’re into beer, the Samuel Adams 26.2 popup and shakeout run in years past (a few years ago I ran this with the legendary Meb Kefleghizi).
Run and/or support the 26.True marathon. This 13.1 and 26.2 mile course was created six years ago to celebrate the cultural diversity of the city of Boston, running through parts of the city that are not included in the actual course of the Boston Marathon. The course starts at Malcolm X Park and takes runners through Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, Dorchester, and Mattapan. While online registration for both events is closed at this point, there are still plenty of opportunities to volunteer, and cheering is always a wonderful option!
Go to the marathon expo. The expo is free and open to the public, meaning you don’t have to be running the race to take in the excitement. The expo is held Friday through Sunday of marathon weekend at the convention center on Boylston Street, and you can check out the vendors, shop the official marathon merchandise, and attend various seminars with elite athletes and experts talking all things running. While you’re over there, don’t forget to check out the marathon finish line and snap some pics.
Participate in a shakeout run. Many brands and run clubs across Boston will be hosting short shakeout group runs all over the city on both Saturday and Sunday of marathon weekend. Some favorites of mine in years past were the Alo run on Saturday, the NOBULL run on Saturday, and the Maurten run on Sunday. Most brands post about their shakeout runs or send emails leading up to the event, so be sure to check your emails. Again, these are absolutely not limited to marathon runners!
If you drink, pop into a bar along Boylston or the Sam Adams brewery and try a signature 26.2 brew. They are only available during marathon month in Boston (and I’m still waiting for a non-alcoholic version).
Cheer on the BAA 5K on Sunday. This wildly popular event (it usually sells out in seconds and sometimes crashes the website on registration day) is held around the marathon course and draws a huge crowd of both runners and spectators. It’s a wonderful way to set the tone for the marathon vibe.
Cheer on your favorite runners on Marathon Monday! My favorite spots to see friends and family are in Wellesley around mile 12 before halfway point; in Wellesley center right at the halfway point; through the Newton Hills and definitely around Heartbreak Hill at mile 20; along the home stretch of Beacon Street heading into Coolidge Corner; by the Citgo sign and Whoop headquarters around mile 25, and obviously along Boylston to the finish line if you’re lucky enough to snag a spot! Lastly, the Boston Marathon effect is a very real thing. The vibe that comes along with the magic of Marathon Monday is contagious; the nicer weather, the excitement of the weekend… just being in the city makes everyone want to get out and run a few miles. Even if you aren’t running 26.2 miles, take advantage of the vibe and get outside for even a one mile run. Surround yourself by the inspiration of the runners tackling the course on Monday, and maybe even let this ignite (or re-ignite) a passion for running that may have been dulled by the long, cold winter months. Speaking from experience, this winter has absolutely sucked for miles, so we deserve to feel running magic again. I for one, can not wait for marathon weekend. It’s a wonderful way to log miles, support other runners, and witness the city coming together in a very beautiful way. After all, we are #BOSTONSTRONG. Get in on it!
Xo