Date: 10/7/18
Start Time: 7:30am
Avg Temps (f): 48/66
Time Limit: 6.5 hours
Lessons Learned from Race Reports
- If traveling there, no need to rent a car since public transportation is great and it’s fairly easy to find a hotel near the start/finish, or along public transportation lines
- Sharp turns in the early miles, so be prepared, especially with lots of runners around you.
- Wave starts with corrals, and in waves, so it helps spread out the field (35,000+ runners)
- Feels chillier downtown near the start because of tall buildings
- Weather can be all over the place, so be prepared for hot or cold, or rainy, windy…
- Not many hills, but several bridges with steel grates, which are usually covered with carpet. Still makes for different footing from regular roads.
- GPS might not work well in early miles among tall downtown buildings
- Book a hotel close to the start/finish to allow for minimal travel time before and after the race
- The race feels crowded at the beginning and throughout, even with the wave starts
- If it’s calling for warm temps, be prepared for it to warm up quickly and use ice and water at aid stations to cool down
- Have a good plan for finding family/friends at the end, as the finish line is very busy and can be confusing and overwhelming to a tired runner
Course
Type: Loop course all over the city, starting and finishing in Grant Park.
Start/Finish Info: Only runners allowed in start/finish area. Corrals closed 10 minutes before start, so get there with plenty of time.
Hills: Minimal, very flat, fast course. Biggest hill is ~25 feet of gain from mile 22-23. The total elevation gain is 243 ft.
Map/Elevation: Link to Map
Aid stations
Locations of water stations: 20 aid stations 1-2 miles apart, with both water and Lemon-LIme Gatorade Endurance Formula
Locations of electrolyte stations: Gatorade Endurance Carb Energy Chews at mile 13.2 and Gatorade Endurance Energy Gels at mile 18.2. Bananas at miles 29.5-23.5.
Spectator access
Access Locations: See the Spectator Guide
Boston qualifier?
Yes, and part of the World Marathon Majors
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