Chicago Marathon Race Reports and Info

Marathon Major

chicago marathon review

Chicago Marathon Race Reports and Info

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

Race reports

Chicago Marathon 101

Team RunRunner Michael Norton after finishing the 2024 marathon. Your go-to spot for all things Bank of America Chicago Marathon, one of the fastest Abbott World Marathon Majors, occurring each October in the United States of America. 1. Pre-Race Zoom Call With Chicago coming up soon, we brought veterans and first-timers together to ask questions, share insights and build some ...
Read More

Run the Tangents and Race Faster!

How to save time and distance in races by understanding tangents. Team RunRun athlete running the tangents at the Chicago Marathon. Are you Adding Unnecessary Distance (and Time) to your Races? Ever crossed the finish line of a marathon only to realize your watch reads 26.6 miles instead of 26.2? That extra 0.4 miles might not look like much on ...
Read More

Chicago Marathon Race Report – John Gregson

Race: Chicago Marathon Runner: John Gregson Race Date: 10/09/2022 Location: Chicago, IL Results: 4:01:17 Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/7938195691 3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most? The course was nice and flat, and the weather was perfect for runningThe aid stations were plentiful and well organizedThe crowd was amazing Not so much – Aspects of ...
Read More

Chicago Marathon Race Report – Drew Mikhail

Race: Chicago Marathon Runner: Coach Drew Mikhail Race Date: 10/09/2022 Location: Chicago, Illinois Results: 4hrs14 Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/7937853056 3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most? The crowds were tremendous. Hardly any quiet spotsThe expo was massive with tons of vendors and merchA very fast course Not so much – Aspects of the race ...
Read More

Deer Park St. Paddy’s Half Marathon Race Report – Vince Kwok

Race: Deer Park St. Paddy's Half Marathon Runner: Vince Kwok Race Date: 03/19/2022 Location: Deer Park, IL Results: 1:47:47.8 3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most? Parking was easy. Plenty of spots as it was in a mall area by the movie theater. I personally like smaller races so this fit me well. Only ...
Read More

Chicago Marathon Race Report – Rohit Eipe

In this race report, runner Rohit reviews the Chicago Marathon, including what to know about your start time and planning for aid stations. Race: Chicago Marathon 2021 Runner: Rohit Eipe Race Date: 10/10/2021 Location: Chicago, IL Results: https://results.chicagomarathon.com/2021/?content=detail&fpid=list&pid=list&idp=LSMG963824A563&lang=EN_CAP&event=MAR&lang=EN_CAP&num_results=1000&page=10&searchsex=M&searchage_class=&search_event=MAR Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/6094240373/overview 3 Bests – Review the aspects of the Chicago Marathon that you liked the most It's pretty well ...
Read More
chicago marathon review

Chicago Marathon Race Report – Ayu

Race: Chicago Marathon Runner: Ayu Date: 10/8/17 Location: Chicago, IL Results - 6:28:14 3 Bests – what aspects of the race did you like the most: The EXPO was very organized and easy to find. The crowds were spectacular, people cheering at the different neighborhoods with different bands playing was fantastic! The race had great resources in terms of water, ...
Read More

Chicago Marathon – Adela S

Race: Chicago Marathon – https://www.chicagomarathon.com/ Runner: Adela S Date: 10/9/2016 Location: Chicago, Il Results – 4:39, somewhere around 11,000th place out of 40,000 registered 3 Bests – what aspects of the race did you like the most 1) Highly organized, including security 2) Post-race food & beer – we were even given ice bags. That’s a first for me! 3) Volunteers and fans were ...
Read More

Race Website

https://www.chicagomarathon.com/

berlin marathon race info

Berlin Marathon Race Info

The Berlin Marathon is one of the six Marathon Majors and it lives up to all the hype – it’s a perfect time of year in Berlin, with crisp, Fall temperatures, a flat course with fast times each year, plenty of spectator locations, and overall amazing support and organization considering the size of the field. It’s an absolute must-run if you get into the race!

Lessons Learned from Race Reports

  • Public transportation is fantastic for getting to and from the expo and the race, using the train, not the bus or tram, as roads will be closed. The bib number cannot be used as a ticket (as is sometimes the case for big city marathons).
  • If you’re coming from the States, be ready for jet lag and have a plan for either getting on the time zone quickly or having a plan for coping with it.
  • With it being such a flat, big race, with lots of people, it makes it easier to have a more even pace throughout and to be surrounded by people nearly the entire way.
  • Wave start means it’s not too congested at the start with so many people running (40,000)
  • Aid stations feel congested throughout because of the number of people darting in and out to get aid
  • There is warm tea offered at the aid stations with electrolytes
  • Berlin is a great city to explore, so leave the sight-seeing for post-race so you’re not drained for race day.

Course

Type: One big loop all around Berlin, starting and finishing in nearly the same location in Tiergarten Park.

Start/Finish Info: No parking at the start, so use public transportation, only runners allowed in starting area. More information here.

Hills: 65 feet of gain from miles 12.5 to 17.5 – super minimal!

Map/Elevation: Link to Map

Aid stations

Location of water stations: km 5, 12, 17.5, 22.5, 27.5, 32.5, 34.5, 38, 40
(at 40km there will be tea and also ultraSPORTS)

Locations of water stations, electrolytes and fruit: water, tea* (warm & cold), ultraSPORTS Beetster, bananas, apples are located at km 9, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 36

Locations of electrolyte stations: km 27.5, ultraSPORTS ultraGel in the flavours Cola+Coffein and Berry

Spectator access

Access Locations: See Tips for Best Viewing Spots

Boston qualifier?

Yes, also part of the World Marathon Majors

Race reports

Matt Urbanski’s 2018 Race Report

https://pointlenana.wordpress.com/2015/10/08/berlin-marathon-9272015-que-sera-sera/

http://goalorientedrunner.blogspot.com/2016/09/race-report-2016-berlin-marathon.html

http://www.redwinerunner.co.uk/2015/10/02/race-report-berlin-marathon-2015/

Race Website

https://www.bmw-berlin-marathon.com/en/

Participant Info Guide

boston marathon race report

Boston Marathon Race Report – Ather H

“I ran my first Boston Marathon in 2014 and that was my way of honoring those who lost their lives or were injured during the 2013 Boston marathon bombings. This year was my third. Boston is special because it attracts runners from all over the world. The diversity is electrifying and the crowd, galvanizing. Despite the weather this year, Bostonians showed up, cheering for the runners all the way to the finish.”

boston marathon race report

Race: Boston Marathon 2018

Runner: Ather H

Date: 4/16/2018

Location: Boston, MA

Results: 3:07:08, (2862th place off 26948 starts!)

Strava Activity Link: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2628955581

3 Bests – What aspects of the Boston Marathon did you like the most?

  1. If I were the most interesting man in the world, I’d say “I don’t normally run road races, but when I do, it’s either Boston or qualifying for it”.
  2. I ran my first Boston in 2014 and that was my way of honoring those who lost their lives or were injured during the 2013 Boston marathon bombings. This year was my third. Boston is special because it attracts runners from all over the world. The diversity is electrifying and the crowd, galvanizing. Despite the weather this year, Bostonians showed up, cheering for the runners all the way to the finish.
  3. Finally, it is really the thousands of volunteers who make this race a success.

Not so much – What aspects of the Boston Marathon didn’t do it for you?

The weather was a bit of a challenge this year but you’ve probably heard that by now! Many of us had to wait (shivering in the cold and rain) upwards of an hour near the gear check, after crossing the finish line. The gear check is divided by bib numbers and given that at the Boston Marathon, your bib number is your seeding, numbers close to each other, finish close to each other as well. The gear check stalls catering to a certain bib range was crowded whereas the rest were empty. Hopefully they can fix this by having, say, 9 sections, based on the first number of your bib.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about the Boston Marathon?

  • The Boston Marathon was ‘men’s only’ until 1972. Kathrine Switzer famously entered as “KV Switzer” in 1967 and was nearly stopped by an official. She was able to dodge away and finish.
  • This year, the finish rate for women was higher than men, despite the conditions. Take that, race director(s) of 1960s!

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

  • It was fun to strike conversations with fellow race participants and hear their stories on the bus ride to Hopkington and also at the village.
  • I brought extra clothes to the start and was adequately prepared for the weather (given we spend at least 2 hours at the village before the race start at 10am). This included extra fleece, rain poncho and hand warmers. For a race like Boston where there is a noticeable wait time at the start, I highly recommend looking at the weather forecast and dressing accordingly. This implies including throw away clothes. There are clothes bins at the start and the clothes you shred away, get donated.

Lessons Learned – Share your pro-tips on the Boston Marathon to help the next runner or yourself on the next time around

I underestimated the hail and headwind and decided to race in a t-shirt. I left my rain jacket at the gear check (so that I could collect it after crossing the finish line) and in hindsight, I should’ve worn it, like Desiree! It was cold all through the 26.2 miles. At times we had wind gusts and hail and by mile 17, I was shivering uncontrollably and not able to sustain the core temperature.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the Boston Marathon?

The early downhills can easily entice runners into a faster-than-planned start. The latter half of Boston has a few short climbs including the famous heartbreak hill so starting conservatively definitely helps.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

It’s the Boston Marathon! Despite the weather, we had 7000+ volunteers show up and help out at the race.

Logistics – Anything special regarding getting to/from the race, hotels around the course, registration…?

Hotels book out months in advance. I had luck booking hostels at the last minute a couple of times in the past (Boston backpackers hostel is 10 min train ride away from the finish). Having said that, if you are planning to run the Boston Marathon, it is recommended that you book a hotel 8-10 months in advance (before you officially apply!)

boston marathon in the rain

Weather and typical race conditions

My first Boston (2014) was 80+F degrees and sunny. 2015 was rainy and in the 50’s – sort of like Seattle weather. This year definitely stands out in terms of the adverse weather conditions. There was ice on the roads in Hopkington when we arrived and it hailed on us multiple times during the race.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

While that number may have been lower than usual this year, upwards of half a million people show up to cheer on the runners – it is definitely one of the most spectated races in the world. The traffic is super slow moving on race day however so plan accordingly.

How’s the swag?

The unicorn medal is pretty cool. The full sleeve tee is one of my favorites for cold weather running. A lot of people purchase the boston ‘celebration’ jacket.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give the Boston Marathon and do you recommend that others run it?

11/10. Boston is special – will definitely go back and run every few years, as long as I continue to qualify.

Looking for more intel on the Boston Marathon? Read all of our runners’ reviews on our Boston Marathon intel page!

boston marathon race report

Boston Marathon Race Report – Alan V

In this Boston Marathon Race Report, runner Alan shares his experience running the 2018 race, including how he coped with bad weather.

boston marathon race reportRace: Boston Marathon

Runner: Alan V

Date: 4/16/2018

Location: Boston, MA

Results: 2619th in 3:05

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/1514967816

3 Bests – What aspects of the Boston Marathon did you like the most?

  1. The magnitude of the event. So many people from all over the globe there to run. Walking around Boston seemed like everyone was running or knew someone running and every one of my Uber drivers asked if I was running too.
  2. Super well organized. Didn’t have any issues with anything.
  3. The course is full of spectators, even on a shitty weather day.

Not so much – What aspects of the Boston Marathon didn’t do it for you?

I enjoyed it all!

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about the marathon?

Nothing weird about the race. Just a weird Uber driver.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

I finished. Other than that it was a sufferfest with the wild weather.

Lessons Learned – Share your pro-tips on the Boston Marathon to help the next runner or yourself on the next time around

Get a hotel early. As you as you find out you’re in, get one. Prices suck the longer you wait.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the Boston Marathon?

It’s an easy course other than 2 or 3 hills that will slow you down. Know when they are and do your hill workouts and you’ll crush them.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Super well organized

Logistics – Anything special regarding getting to/from the race, hotels around the course, registration…?

Plan ahead and you’ll be fine. I used uber the entire time I was there and my hotel provided a shuttle to Boston Commons.

Weather and typical race conditions

This year it sucked. My toes were numb way before the start of the race. At the athletes village it was muddy, rainy, and there was some snow on the ground. During the race it was miserable but memorable. At the finish picking up drop bags, everyone was huddled like those penguins in that documentary (March of the Penguins).

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Yes, from start to finish it was loud. Even under crappy weather the crowd brought me home.

How’s the swag?

Pretty good.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give the Boston Marathon and do you recommend that others run it?

5/5. I’ll be back

Looking for more intel on the Boston Marathon? Read all of our runners’ reviews on our Boston Marathon intel page!

boston marathon race report

Boston Marathon Race Report – Andrew K

“The Boston Marathon course has it all. Downhills, late hills, crowds, flats. It’s really great course to push you mentally as you need to hold back, save for the back and keep pushing. It’s also a course of ‘Americana’ as you literally start by going down a one lane road, picket fences, home over 200 yrs old, small flag poles only to run to bit bigger town squares, taller flag poles ultimately into the city. It’s like going through the evolution of how cities became cities…”

boston marathon race reportRace: Boston Marathon

Runner: Andrew K

Date: 4/16/2018

Location: Boston, MA

Results: 3:18:27

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/1521185508

3 Bests – What aspects of the Boston Marathon did you like the most?

  1. City/Boston – Marathon Weekend in Boston is great. The entire city morphs from a Celtics, Red Sox, Bruins and Pats town into the mecca of running. Boston’s history is full of pride and the feel of the city on marathon weekend can really be special as runners descend from all over the world.
  2. Course – The Boston Marathon course has it all. Downhills, late hills, crowds, flats. It’s really great course to push you mentally as you need to hold back, save for the back and keep pushing. It’s also a course of ‘Americana’ as you literally start by going down a one lane road, picket fences, home over 200 yrs old, small flag poles only to run to bit bigger town squares, taller flag poles ultimately into the city. It’s like going through the evolution of how cities became cities…
  3. Crowds – They really come out and are so great. BBQ on front lawns, porches full of people, kids wanting a high five into downtown Boston where the noise is so loud you ‘feel’ the noise in your body. They are proud of the marathon and it shows. They are proud of you for being there even though they don’t know you.

Not so much – What aspects of the Boston Marathon didn’t do it for you?

  1. Weather – It’s notorious for shifting weather year to year. 2018 was especially epic but just know you could be doing a race in heat, wind, rain, cold as NE Springs has so much variability due to systems from the Great Lakes, Atlantic Ocean, etc.
  2. Bus Ride/Start – It goes smoothly, but taking a hour bus ride to the start super early, to sit around with no gear check can be hard to plan for. It makes your morning very different than you might expect.
  3. Expo / Bib Location – They have moved the expo to the trade center which is not convenient. It used to be right on Boylston near the finish which I preferred. The new spot makes it an endeavor you have to plan around.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

Nothing to odd as they don’t allow costumes etc. I guess the Wellesly kissing line could be odd. The screams are awesome at near mid way but I guess some (including the married guy) might find the pleas for a kiss strange with young girls with homemade signs. It’s part of the history and I just giggle but it’s kinda weird.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

  1. Running with Meb! Meb Keflezighi was in my corral and running the first 10 with him was really special.
  2. Meeting Scott Jurek at the Expo was fun, telling him ‘hi’ from Coach Uli turned into a chat about Seattle running.
  3. Finishing. My goals were destroyed this year. But with the weather, having the flu 3 weeks prior, traveling six time zones all made the challenge somehow less about competing and more about completing. So when I stumbled across the finish, the medal meant so much more than any other year.

Lessons Learned – Share your pro-tips on the Boston Marathon to help the next runner or yourself on the next time around

Prep for the morning by bringing clothes to donate. Bring trashbags to sit on and really think through your fueling strategy. Some people buy stuff at the Goodwill so they don’t have to give up their gear.

Save yourself and know that when you take a sharp right at the Newton Fire Station, it’s now ‘on’. This is where I think the challenge begins mentally and physically.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the Boston Marathon?

1-10 Downhill. You can go tad faster but so easy to over do it.
10-18 – Flats to Rolling. Locking your pace.
18-22 – Hills. Late stage, not steep but subsequent progression is hard as you shift muscles.
22+ Bring it home.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Very well organized. It’s a machine and they really put on a world class event from newsletters months out, videos, Apps for your phone, partnerships with athletes and even Spotify for a custom running playlist etc.

Logistics – Anything special regarding getting to/from the race, hotels around the course, registration…?

Staying anywhere near the Common or Copley Sq is ideal but pricey. What you save in time, hassle is worth IMHO the extra money. Ask you hotel in advance if they have morning of marathon special breakfasts/hours to make sure you can eat. Prices surge this weekend so booking early before they enforce no cancellation is ideal so you can shift/bail as you need to.

Weather and typical race conditions

Expect anything. Boston weather is unique based on where it is geographically and how weather sets up in the Spring from the Great Lakes, Canada, Atlantic Ocean etc.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Yes, very. The route allows spectators to take subways/trains/cars out to the course. Anything within the last 1mi likely requires camping out from 9am on. If you have just a spouse etc, they can push their way to the fence on Boylston for 30mins when you expect to pass with a lot of smiles.

How’s the swag?

Great long sleeved T-shirt by Adidas. Goodie bag has little items like bottle openers, stickers etc. Most of the really good stuff is for sale so expect to blow up your credit card at the Expo as somehow you just really need that Boston Marathon Salad Bowl…and oh…Boston Marathon keychain….etc.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give the Boston Marathon and do you recommend that others run it?

5 (of 5). It’s the grand daddy of them all with history and the only major that is a qualifier. You know when you get in at Boston, you are for a moment in a different echelon of runners for one day.

Looking for more intel on the Boston Marathon? Read all of our runners’ reviews on our Boston Marathon intel page!

boston marathon

Boston Marathon Race Report – Dan S

In this race report, runner Dan recommends gear for the Boston Marathon so that you will be as comfortable as possible in case of rain!

Race: Boston Marathon (2018)

Runner: Dan S

Date: 4/16/2018

Location: Hopkinton, Massachusetts to Boston, Massachusetts

Results: 3:32:45

3 Bests – What aspects of the Boston Marathon did you like the most?

  1. It’s Boston. 2018 was a rough year, but the energy associated with this hallowed event is still unique.
  2. The spectators. There weren’t as many spectators as in other years, but those who braved the elements were great. The Wellesley Scream Tunnel still sets the bar – you could hear the Wellesley fans before you could see them, even with the wind and driving rain.
  3. The volunteers. Thousands of people came out and gave their time in miserable weather so that we could run this event.

Not so much – What aspects of the Boston Marathon didn’t do it for you?

  1. The weather. This year, persistent rain (heavy at times), wind (direct headwind at times), and cool temperatures (there was literally freezing rain bermed up against the walls of the Athlete’s Village tent in Hopkinton) made for a particularly unpleasant 26.2 miles. The weather was so bad that there weren’t event helicopters or the fighter jet flyover at the start.
  2. The Hopkinton wait. Athletes get to Hopkinton a significant amount of time before the race start. We timed things to go on the latest of the buses for our start wave and still were in Hopkinton two hours before the start gun. In the 2018 weather, it was not a pleasant wait in Hopkinton.
  3. The gear check wait. There was a long wait – in the miserable weather, wearing drenched clothes from the run – for runners to pick up their finish line drop bags. Runners’ numbers are associated with their qualifying times, and gear check backs are staged according to bib numbers. As such, many runners who finished in the same time range were trying to get their drop bags from the same bib number tables at the same time after the race.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

There wasn’t anything notably weird about this event.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

This was not a particularly enjoyable marathon. I’m grateful that I did some weather preparation (more below), and finished the marathon without major event (e.g., no injuries, accidents), but that’s about it for highlights of my race (other than the spectators and volunteers).

Lessons Learned – Share your pro-tips on Boston Marathon gear to help the next runner or yourself on the next time around

Being a Seattlelite, I am not entirely unfamiliar with running in the cool and rain. Even so, there were some things that I learned (from articles I read leading up to the race, as the miserable weather forecast was more and more likely to be a reality, and one random thing I tried from a previous race) that I think really helped during the race:

  1. Hand warmers on the head. I put two hand warmers directly on my head (held in place with a wool skull cap, beneath a running hat). Since I don’t have hair, a lot of thermal loss occurs through my head. I surmise that having heat coming into my head (from the hand warmers), rather than just leaving my head, helped stave off hypothermia.
  2. A shower cap. I put a shower cap on top of my running hat. The shower cap kept the hat (comparatively) dry, even with the rain, which kept my head drier and kept my head hand-warmers dry (the hand warmers I had are worthless when wet). Again, managing heat loss through my hairless head likely helped stave off hypothermia.
  3. Throwaway shoes. As noted above, runners spend a fair amount of time in the Athlete’s Village in Hopkinton prior to the start. This year, the field where runners wait for the start was a soggy, often muddy, mess. I wore shoes that I was willing to leave in Hopkinton to the Athlete’s Village, and carried my running shoes with me (in plastic bags). This maneuver allowed me to change out of the muddy, sodden, shoes and socks that I wore around the village and into my running shoes (which obviously got wet themselves, during the run – but at least they were not muddy) when I went from the grass-mud field in the Athlete’s Village to the start corrals.
  4. Garbage bag poncho. I fashioned a poncho out of a garbage bag that I wore to the start area. It was originally my intent to discard this poncho once I was up and going in the run. I didn’t end up removing the poncho until after mile 25. The poncho kept my core from getting as wet as it would have been without the poncho, but was funky enough (and didn’t cover my arms) that it was comparatively breathable.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the Boston Marathon

I’ve been told not to get carried away on the downs during the first half of the race, come out too fast, and end up suffering more than necessary on the ups later in the course.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

This event is definitely organized and well run. While there are some curious organizational aspects of the race (long wait in Hopkinton, wait for drop bags at the end), Boston is the model of a well-organized marathon.

Logistics – Anything special regarding getting to/from the race, hotels around the course, registration…?

Nothing of note to share here. It’s a big deal event, and Boston is busy and expensive during race weekend. I can recommend taking the shuttles to the start (even though I’ve criticized their early arrival times).

Weather and typical race conditions

In 2017, it was sunny and in the 70s. In 2018, not. It’s a spring marathon in the northeastern United States. It may be nice, it may be miserable.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

There are spectator opportunities along essentially the entire course.

How’s the swag?

Standard big city marathon handouts. A shirt, a finisher’s medal, and promotional items from sponsors.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give the Boston Marathon and do you recommend that others run it?

As noted above, the weather was awful in 2018, and the race itself was not particularly enjoyable. That said, the whole Boston experience is one to take part in, if the opportunity presents. I can highly recommend the event, even when the weather is terrible.

Looking for more intel on the Boston Marathon? Read all of our runners’ reviews on our Boston Marathon intel page!

London Marathon Info

All the London Marathon Info you need to be your best on race day. Learn from TRR coaches with race reports, a zoom call, and more.

1. Pre-Race Zoom Call 

With the London Marathon coming up soon, we’re bringing veterans and first-timers together to ask questions, share insights and build some excitement heading into race weekend!

Date: Monday, April 13, 2026
Time: 7pm EST
Pre-race Zoom call: https://youtu.be/z9qU8oFp6w8

2. Shakeout Run 

Date: TBD

Time: TBD

Location: TBD

3. London Marathon Race Intel

Date: April 26, 2026

Start: Greenwich Park

Finish: The Mall, in front of Buckingham Palace

Course type: Loop

Boston Qualifier: Yes

Elevation gain: 419 feet (127m)

Elevation loss: 531 feet (161m)

Course Map and Elevation Map:
https://www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk/london-marathon/course

Temperature

Average high: 68°F (20°C)

Average low: 45° F (7°C)

Tips from Coaches

  • With a downhill 2 miles into the race, it’s very easy to go out too fast
  • Some “bigger” hills late in the race, so be conservative in the first half, especially with that early downhill to burn your legs up
  • Pay attention running over Tower Bridge around miles 12 and 23, as there are gaps in the road where it lifts for ships to go through – tripping hazards, especially on tired legs late in the race
  • With it being such a big race, be ready for everything to seem busy, from the expo, to packet pickup, to trains to the start, to the starting line, and the lines for porta potties; this is a big one!
  • Really crowded early on in the race, especially when different starting corrals merge, with lots of people cutting across the road and vying for space.
  • Speed “humps” in the road, big tripping hazards, and easy to not see early on with so many people
  • Many of the bottles they hand out land at your feet. Late in the race people take one or two sips and toss them, sometimes with the cap on. It’s dangerous to land on those bottles and with the crowds you don’t always see them. Not much you can do but it helps to be aware of them and not surprised or worse, trip on them.
  • Even though it’s a big race, it’s still very well organized and has lots of great crowd support throughout.
  • Eliud Kipchoge ran 2:03:05 here in 2016, the 2nd fastest marathon ever, and Paula Radcliffe ran a stunning 2:15:25 here back in 2003. It’s a fast course!

4. Race reports

https://teamrunrun.com/london-marathon-race-report-nicole-thome/

https://teamrunrun.com/london-marathon-race-report-kylie-cardoso/

https://pointlenana.wordpress.com/2013/11/18/london-2013/

http://www.trurorunningclub.org.uk/index.php/2017/04/london-marathon-race-report-2017/

https://kippaxharriers.org.uk/virgin-london-marathon-2017-race-report/

https://rigbag.wordpress.com/2016/04/27/2016-london-marathon-race-eport/

https://www.strava.com/running-races/2017-london-marathon-2017

5. London Marathon Coaching Info

At Team RunRun, we have 100s of wonderful, experienced coaches ready to help you crush your goals, regardless of your ability, budget, or lifestyle. Specifically, for London Marathon race advice, here are some coaches to start with:

In addition, see the official race website here for even more information.

Above all, good luck!

new york city marathon race report

New York City Marathon Race Report – Jonny

Runner Jonny reviews the New York City marathon route, logistics, and overall experience. Read why he was converted from a skeptic to a fan!

Review: New York City Marathon Route, Logistics, and Overall Experience

Race: New York City Marathon

Runner: Jonny

Date: 11/5/17

Location: New York, NY

Results: 3:39:48

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/1263149499

3 Bests – What aspects of the New York City Marathon route and overall race did you like the most?

The crowds, the crowds and the crowds. They say 2 million people lined the course. It was utterly unbelievable. It was also so amazing to run through the different neighbourhoods and experience the cultural varieties New York offers.

Not so much – What about the New York City Marathon didn’t you like?

Running mostly trail and ultra races, I like the small-town feel of these races and the ability to walk up to the start line an hour before, collect your number and head off. This was totally different. There was a fair amount of standing around time. Getting up at 5:30am for a 10:15am start time felt a tad ridiculous. That said, when trying to get 50,000+ runners to a start line and on their way these are the sacrifices that need to be made.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

Honestly, I was really skeptical about these mega-marathons. The logistics, the headache and planning all seemed so unnecessary. Going into it, I was so apathetic. Running the race turned that opinion around 180-degrees. The energy and excitement generated from running with thousands of other people, the inspiration of those with disabilities completing the race and the amazing crowds (as well as high-fiving Kevin Hart, who was running too) made the experience something truly special. The race itself was not the focus of my season so I went out to enjoy myself, not blow up and not run so hard I lost the next week of running to recovery; happily all that was achieved.

Lessons Learned – share your pro-tips on the New York City Marathon to help the next runner or yourself on the next time around:

Get into the planning details, I didn’t know enough about how to get to the start line and that song and dance that involved until the week before when registration for official services had closed. I recommend researching and understanding these options way earlier than I did.

What do runners need to know about the New York City marathon route?

There is a 2ish mile hill at mile 24, be prepared, I wasn’t. (Check out our overall NYC Marathon page for more course-specifics!)

Organized and well run – did the New York City Marathon feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

A well oiled machine doesn’t quite do justice to just how well this race is organized and run, especially when you consider the number of participants involved.

Logistics – Anything special regarding getting to/from the race, hotels around the course, registration…?

I mentioned getting to the race above, otherwise the rest is up to you. We went for an AirBnb in Park Slope which gave us easy subway access to Manhattan and an easy escape after the marathon but there are plenty of good options.

Weather and typical race conditions:

I don’t think conditions could have been better, in the 50s and overcast, made for a great day.

Is the New York City Marathon route friendly for spectators?

Very friendly for spectators and in many places the crowds are two or three deep. To see the finish line you do have to pay for tickets in the grandstand though. The organizers identify several key spots but really anywhere along the course is easily accessible to spectators, as you get into Manhattan it gets very busy though. I high-fived my wife and kids at around mile 8 as we passed through Park Slope which was great and then it was easy to find them after the race too.

How’s the swag?

The swag is pretty dope. You get a nice long sleeved New Balance shirt at bib pickup. You can buy plenty of other (heavily over-priced) goodies too. Post-race the poncho is unbelievably good. They also provide a bag with water, protein milk and snacks. The medal has some serious heft, and if you visit the expo on the Monday you can get it engraved with your name and finish time.

How many stars do you give the New York City Marathon and do you recommend that others run it?

10/10 – try to make sure you run this race!

Thinking about running a race? Check out our coach’s tips for finding the best running race for you.

chicago marathon review

Chicago Marathon Race Report – Ayu

Race: Chicago Marathonchicago marathon race report

Runner: Ayu

Date: 10/8/17

Location: Chicago, IL

Results – 6:28:14

3 Bests – what aspects of the race did you like the most:

The EXPO was very organized and easy to find. The crowds were spectacular, people cheering at the different neighborhoods with different bands playing was fantastic! The race had great resources in terms of water, fueling, medical stations

Not so much – aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

Although it was very exciting to be in such a big race, starting the race was kind of difficult for me with that many runners. I felt like I have to dodge people around me at the beginning. The fact that the race started so late, and it got warmed up already was not a great start. Not knowing my pace at the beginning also put another stress on my mind.

Next time if I do decide to race Chicago again, I would book a hotel room close to the start line. My body was already tired by the time the race started, since I had to wake up around 4 am to get ready, to be able to get to the parking lot before the roads were closed.

Weird factor – what’s the weirdest thing about this race

I thought the signs at the end of the finish line on where to find our family members were not very intuitive. I certainly did not want to walk around another hour to find my family at the finish line.

Highlights of your race – what did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular

I did well convincing myself not to quit 🙂

I would have enjoyed the atmosphere much better if I both legs did not cramp up for more than 10 miles.

Lessons Learned – share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner or yourself on the next time around

I would take a consideration that the tracking device wouldn’t work for a while and be okay with it. I would stay in a place that is closer to the start line.

In the case of cramping, stop at the medical station and ask for fluid replacement.

Enjoy the race even with all the above, I still finish one of the biggest marathon in the world.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

The carpeted area could be fatal 🙂

Organized and well run – did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Very organized other than the finish line

Logistics – Anything special regarding getting to/from the race, hotels around the course, registration…?

Stay close to the race

Weather and typical race conditions

The weather was warm for typical Chicago weather.

Spectators – is this a friendly course for your friends and family?

The fact that they can track us running was pretty cool. My friend met me at 35KM and brought me water. She’s moved up on my most loved friends’ list.

How’s the swag?

I thought it was okay, some of my runner friends who have done a few of Chi Mar thought the swag was not the greatest this year.

The Overall Score – how many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it

I would give 3 stars because I had had bad experience, but definitely would recommend to other runners.

matt urbanski tokyo marathon

Tokyo Marathon – Matt U

Race: Tokyo Marathon

Runner: Matt U

Date: 2/26/17

Location: Tokyo, Japan

Results – 2:35.56

3 Bests – what aspects of the race did you like the most

  • There were a ton of fast runners. I was with people the entire way and always had someone to run with.
  • The course was fast and there were always people along the course.
  • The weather was perfect!

 

Not so much – aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

  • Having to get in our start corrals early meant not having a chance to pee right before the start. More on how I solved this later in the report. 🙂

 

Weird factor – what’s the weirdest thing about this race

  • They had tomatoes and this weird gelatinous sports drink as part of the pre-race aid. People were chomping down on ripe tomatoes on the vine – I couldn’t do this. I did drink the packet of jelly drink though. I thought it was water and then was surprised at the weird texture. Then I got a little more, realized it tasted good, and so I went for it. I think it is called Pocari Sweat.
  • And I can’t forget the toilets at the start. We had toilets with no signs, and toilets with signs that said “Western Toilet”. I of course tried the regular, non-western version. They were squatty potties with a bar to hold onto as you crouch down over the hole to poop. There was a foot pump to flush the poo down. I daresay I might like this version better!

 

Highlights of your race – what did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular

  • I felt good nearly the entire race. Having run Rocky Raccoon 100 three weeks prior and not doing any speed work since January, I was not sure what to expect in this race. I knew going into Rocky that I was in good marathon shape though so I had hope that things would go well. Things went as well as I could have hoped for. The last 5k was challenging and I slowed a little, but overall, I was on and could press the pace whenever I wanted. This was one of my fastest marathons ever.
  • I actually managed to pee my pants multiple times, and I did it on purpose! With being in the start corrals so early, and being well hydrated, that meant that I really had to pee by the time the race started. They seemed quite strict regarding public urination and disqualification from the race, and I didn’t want to test this rule. I was wearing my Salomon compression shorts and have never had a problem with chafing with these before, so I had decided before the start that I’d try to just let it go during the race. It was more challenging than I originally thought. It took real concentration to pee in my shorts on purpose. Early on I was self conscious so I didn’t let a lot come out at once. By the 45 minute mark I was into the race and didn’t care anymore. I let it all out. My shorts were wet, some ran down my legs and got my socks wet. Didn’t matter. It dried quickly, I spilled water on myself during aid stations anyway so I was already wet, and I felt lighter and relieved as a result. Major strategy win for this race!

 

Lessons for others – share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

  • It’s a big city marathon and one of the World Majors. Logistically, this is a challenging race. You have to get here early and getting out and home is a challenge. Do your best not to get flustered or frustrated at all the standing and sitting around you’ll have to do before the race, and after.

 

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

  • If I’m in good shape and ready to go, this is a race to go for a fast time. There is a nice downhill start (not steep), there are minimal hills during the race, and there are people to push the pace with all day long. Great chance for a PR at this one.

 

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

  • There are no notable hills. I remember seeing a slight bump on the elevation profile around 25k, but when I actually ran this during the race, it was barely noticeable. It’s flat and fast, and the only hills to speak of are the downs early on, and they’re not as punishing as the downs to start Boston.

 

Aesthetics – is it a pretty course

  • We were in big city all the time with people and big buildings the entire way. One cool thing about the course is that there are several out and back sections along the course. This meant that I actually got to see the leaders, including Wilson Kipsang after he broke away and was running to the finish all alone (finished in sub-2:04!)

 

Organized and well run – did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

  • As well as any big city marathon I’ve ever run. From packet pickup to the corral and toilets, it was all well coordinated.

 

Competition – is there a strong field?

  • Fast and deep.

 

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

  • It’s a tough race to get into. I heard rumors that there were 300,000 applicants for 36,000 spots. There is a lottery for most runners. There is also a special “semi-elite” category for foreigners. I think the cutoff for my category was sub-2:50.

 

Aid Stations

  • Frequent, though they didn’t seem as frequent as some other big city runs with aid being every mile. Sorry, I haven’t done the research here, but it seemed like there was plenty. No gels that I’m aware of, but sports drink, water, bananas, and some other stuff. I only drank the sports drink (Pocari Sweat) and water. I brought my own PowerGel but only ate one late in the race.

 

Weather and typical race conditions –

  • It was absolutely beautiful. Other days surrounding the race had more wind and cold, but race day was idealic.

 

Gear – did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next guy?

  • Salomon compression shorts (great for peeing your pants), compression shirt, fast road shoes (Nike Elite). I had a Pategonia Houdini wind jacket I wore to the start and tied around my waist. Looked like an amateur, but it didn’t bother me at all during the run. It was nice to be warmer at the start and the finish, and to not have to deal with a drop bag.

 

Spectators – is this a friendly course for your friends

  • The course was full of spectators throughout. Julie got to three spots via the metro, and she was traveling solo with a baby. You could likely get to more if you were more aggressive. In short, it’s possible to get to lots of spots, especially with the various out and back sections.

 

Awards –

  • Lots of money for the fast guys. Standard medal and a finisher’s towel for the rest of us. 🙂

 

The Overall Score – how many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it

5 out of 5 stars. I loved this race and the experience. I could definitely see doing this one again, either for the experience alone or to attempt another fast time.

New York Marathon – Emily M

Runner Emily reviews her experience of the NYC Marathon in 2016. Read on for her advice on hills, booking your hotel, and more!

Race: NYC Marathon – http://www.tcsnycmarathon.org/

Runner: Emily M

Date: 11/6/2016

Location: New York City

Results – 4:50:24 (PR)

3 Bests – What aspects of the NYC Marathon did you like the most?

  • The spectators were amazing!
  • Very well organized
  • The course itself was really nice!  You got to run through so many different areas and never repeated a section

Not so much – What aspects of the NYC Marathon didn’t work for you?

It was a lot hillier then I expected and it was a long walk out of the chute.  Early start to get to the bus (5:45am), but a long wait until the actual race (10:40am)

Also, the expo was nice but packed!  I didn’t get my shirt size that I wanted because I got there on Saturday afternoon but it still worked out fine

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about the NYC Marathon?

Some of the spectator signs were pretty weird but kept me preoccupied which was nice

Highlights of your race – what did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

I stayed steady and never really felt like I hit “the wall”.  I finished slower than I wanted to but I think that was because the NYC marathon course was so hilly.  I trained for the bridges but my knees started to hurt around mile 16 so I walked at the water stops after that.

After the Queensboro Bridge, runners were dropping like flies.  I actually stopped to help a man that fell to his knees, holding his chest and saying he was weak.  Another runner helped me get him safely to a medic and then we kept going.  I put this as a highlight because it felt good helping a fellow runner in need (I just hope he was ok!). The medics were everywhere and moved quickly.

dover running coachLessons for others – share your pro-tips on the NYC Marathon to help the next runner

Opt for the race poncho instead of bag check for after the race.  It’s a long walk either way but shorter if you get the poncho (it’s a nice fabric one that you can keep!)

If you can get there on Thursday or Friday, I highly recommend it.  We didn’t get there until Saturday and it felt like everything moved so quickly

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Fundraising is hard!!  I’m proud of what I did and it was really fun to have people yelling “Go St. Jude!”, though.

Most important course-specific knowledge to know about the NYC Marathon

You have to pick transportation to the starting line so try to pick a hotel that is close to a subway if nothing else.  It’s a 60-90 min bus ride or there are other options as well.

Watch for aid stations!  They put several right after mile markers and people just randomly stopped so you have to pay close attention

Mile 23 is rough!!  Continuous incline which felt like it took forever!

Aesthetics – is the NYC Marathon a pretty course?

Portions were pretty.  I loved finishing in Central Park!  Running over the Verrazano Bridge and getting to see the city was awesome!

Difficulty – is the NYC Marathon a tough course?

I’m not used to hills so it was challenging for me.  None were really that steep so if you’re used to hills then you’ll probably be just fine.

Organized and well run – did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Extremely well run.  The app kept runners and spectators in the loop and made things very easy from start to finish

Competition – is there a strong field?

I’m guessing so.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

The NYC Marathon requires you to qualify by time, get in from the lottery, or fundraise for a charity to enter. I didn’t get in from the lottery so I chose to fundraise and run for St. Jude.  It was a lot of work raising money but the experience was something I’ll never forget!  I booked my hotel fairly early and took the train in from Philadelphia.  We were within a few blocks of pretty much everything-subway, expo, Times Square-so it was easy to get around throughout the weekend.

How were the aid stations?

More than enough!

Weather and typical race conditions

My NYC Marathon race-day was 50s, sunny, a little bit of wind but not too bad.  My ideal racing conditions

Gear – did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next guy?

The security is pretty strict so make sure to read all the rules.  I had my headphones and a regular belt to hold my phone but that’s it.  You can’t have any sort of camelback/backpack while running but regular hydration belts are fine.  With all the aid stations, I opted not to carry the extra weight.  They give you a clear plastic bag at the expo for race morning but won’t let you take anything else in once you get to Staten Island to the Start.

Spectators – is this a friendly course for your friends?

My friends/family saw me 3 times.  They took the Subway and said it wasn’t bad.  You have to pay for a VIP pass to see the finish so no one was there to see me cross the line which kind of sucked.  There were still plenty of spectators and volunteers at the end, though

How were the awards/SWAG?

A really nice medal!!

The Overall Score – how many stars do you give the NYC Marathon and do you recommend that others run it

I highly recommend this race!  It’s expensive but totally worth the experience in my opinion.  The volunteers and spectators really helped to make it a great race!

Thinking about running a race? Check out our coach’s tips for finding the best running race for you.

new york city marathon matt urbanski

NYC Marathon Race Report – Matt U

In this NYC Marathon race report, Matt Urbanski shares his experience running the 2016 marathon and what you need to know for your race!

2016 NYC Marathon Race Report

Race: NYC Marathon – http://www.tcsnycmarathon.org/

Runner: Matt U

Date: 11/6/2016

Location: New York City

Results – 313th place out of 51,390 finishers; 2:49.27

3 Bests – what aspects of the NYC Marathon did you like the most?

  • Great spectators and energy on the course. This is a one of a kind marathon.
  • The weather was near perfect. Cool and crisp autumn day with sunshine.
  • It felt “big time”. There were nearly 52,000 runners in this race. Everything from the expo to the start area, to the finish were all huge. What an experience!

Not so much – what aspects of the NYC Marathon didn’t do it for you?

  • The slow going to get to the start area nearly had Dave and me locked out of our front start corral. Granted, we should have taken an earlier ferry to Staten Island, but based on some info we received at the expo, we thought we were fine, until the lines at the ferry terminal, which lead to lines for the bus at Staten Island, which lead to standstill traffic bussing to the start….we finally got the bus driver to let us off the bus and we ran to the start area, arriving just as our corral was being closed.

Weird factor – what’s the weirdest thing about the NYC Marathon?

  • Not an easy question for me to answer, but as I think about it, it seems odd that they have us start on Staten Island. It feels like such a pain to get over there for the start, whereas a start that was near the finish in Central Park may be way easier logistically. What do I know? I have to believe someone is thinking about this and there is a good reason for starting on SI, but what a hassle!

Highlights of your race – what did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

  • I smiled a lot and kept it relatively under control throughout. I faded in the final 10k but not horribly so. I ran to my fitness, though I would have liked my fitness to have been better!

Lessons for others – share your pro-tips on the NYC Marathon to help the next runner

  • Wear warm clothes that you can donate at the start area. There was so much standing around prior to the start. Be ready for it with food, drink, and warm clothes. We had a nice year with sunny weather. If it were rainy and cold, the long wait times for the start could be awful and totally throw off your race.
  • It’d be easy to get too excited on this course. I started in the front corral and I somehow still managed to be dodging people left and right for nearly 5 miles, wondering the entire time how most of the people I was passing ever got in front of me in the first place. I tried to remember to not waste energy at this point, but it was tough because the course was so packed and the crowds so loud.

Lessons you learned about the NYC Marathon that will help you next time around

  • Start my journey to start earlier. Bring more warm clothes. Bring water. Also, have a specific plan for what you’re doing when the race is over. The big lessons to learn from this race revolve less around the race itself and more around the pre and post-race logistical issues. With a race this big, it is a mad house to get anywhere. We had to walk more than a half mile just to get out of the shoot after the race was over. It was more walking after that to get anywhere one would need to go. Be ready for this and have a plan – it’ll make your day much better.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the NYC Marathon

  • If you don’t run hills, then this course can be challenging. Be ready for the hills. Even with some hill training, I found the bridge during mile 15-16 to be challenging. Be ready for this. Know when the hills are too, it’ll help you be mentally ready, and will remind you to keep your legs under you for the running around Central Park near the end.

Aesthetics – is it a pretty course

  • It’s a city, so if you don’t find cities pretty, this one won’t be pretty. However, it’s a classic city marathon that takes you through unique parts of NYC, with different things highlighting each section of the race. It was extra pretty this year due to the nice fall weather.

Difficulty – is it a tough course

  • Yes and no. Rolling hills throughout, but people still run 2:07 on this course.

Organized and well run – did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

  • It’s organized really well. We had to decide back in July what our transportation to the start was going to be and if we wanted a checked bag or not. Everything was coded on our bibs and machine-like. That said, it was still a little crazy seeing so many people being herded along from the SI ferries to the buses.

Competition – is there a strong field?

  • World class

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

  • Hotels are expensive. Logistics can be challenging. Food in NY is expensive. This is not a cheap race in any way. The entry fee was even pricey relative to other races. There is a lottery for most to get into so it’s tough in that way too. There is also an auto-entry process based on previous fast times. However, everything is spelled out clearly regarding logistics and lodging and start times, etc. It just takes a bit more work on the front end to actually have a smooth, hassle-free experience on race weekend.

Aid Stations

  • Lots. Water and Gatorade. There were some gels at some spots too; I don’t remember what kind.

Weather and typical race conditions 

  • Excellent. However, it’s the east coast in November – it could also be awful!

Gear – did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next guy?

  • Nothing special. Normal road racing gear. I didn’t need to carry anything extra, apart from a few extra gels. Aid stations were sufficient.

Spectators – is this a friendly course for your friends?

  • Wow! Spectators galore. That being said, I remember being a spectator here a decade ago and it was tough to find a spot to cheer over in Manhattan because there were so many fans lining the streets.

How are the awards/SWAG?

  • A finisher’s medal. Money for the elites. And a sweet warm rain poncho if you selected the poncho option (opposed to the check bag option). That was probably the coolest thing I’ve gotten at a race lately!

The Overall Score – how many stars do you give the NYC Marathon and do you recommend that others run it

  • 5 out of 5. If you can run it, do it. It may very well not be your fastest, but you’ll remember it. You’ll remember all the excitement, the huge crowds, and the overall unique life experience you’ll get by running the New York Marathon.

Thinking about running a race? Check out our coach’s tips for finding the best running race for you.

Chicago Marathon – Adela S

Race: Chicago Marathon – https://www.chicagomarathon.com/

Runner: Adela S

Date: 10/9/2016

Location: Chicago, Il

Results –

4:39, somewhere around 11,000th place out of 40,000 registered

3 Bests – what aspects of the race did you like the most

1) Highly organized, including security

2) Post-race food & beer – we were even given ice bags. That’s a first for me!

3) Volunteers and fans were great

Not so much – aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

1) Spectators crossing in front of runners. I am not ashamed I yelled at someone, “I’ll hurt you if you cut me off!”

2) Weird carpets over the metal grated bridge, presumable so runners didn’t trip on the grated bridge. I tripped on the carpet, go figure, and fell on my knees before mile 1.

3) I think the course could have been more scenic for being in Chicago. I would have loved to run by the old worlds fair grounds or spend more time downtown.

Weird factor – what’s the weirdest thing about this race

The Bank of America Cheer Section was probably the quietest part of the course.

Highlights of your race – what did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular

I feel great about getting my 4th or 5th fastest time (out of 10) in a race that I only trained for in three months after a couple of bad injuries. I know a lot of this was due to proper prep (thanks, coach!!) and being excited about it rather than dreading it. It was so fun.

Lessons for others – share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

Watch your footing on the carpets! Typical big race with inexperienced people stopping for pictures or cutting in front of you for water/gatorade so be aware. Mostly, be prepared for any type of weather. Chicago weather can be so unpredictable it’s almost bipolar.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Shorter, faster leg turnover is the secret.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

It’s virtually flat.

Aesthetics – is it a pretty course

Yes, but not all of it.

Difficulty – is it a tough course

Not difficult; just crowded

Organized and well run – did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Very well-run

Competition – is there a strong field?

Extremely

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

Lottery system, expensive course fee ($185). Chicago’s a busy town: Besides the marathon, the Cubs and Bears were both playing and Kanye was performing. Book early! Hotels fill up.

Aid Stations

Excellent.

Weather and typical race conditions –

Be prepared for anything. My day was sunny and 74.

Gear – did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next guy?

It was very chilly waiting to start near the lake before sun-up but was really warm later. Just watch the weather and be prepared.

Spectators – is this a friendly course for your friends

Very.

The Overall Score – how many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it

⅘ stars. It was my first of the “majors” and I have to say that personally I prefer a smaller race. However, it is very cool to be a Chicago marathon finisher so try it once!

Boston Marathon – Matt U

In this Boston Marathon report, cofounder Matt shares his experience running the 2016 event, including why it is so easy to start too fast.

boston marathon

Race: Boston Marathon 

Runner: Matt U

Date: 4/18/2016

Location: Boston, MA

Results – 265th place, 2:45.13

3 Bests – what aspects of the Boston Marathon did you like the most?

  • The energy. So much excitement and energy on the course, from the runners, the volunteers, and the spectators. It is a true running spectacle.
  • Well organized. Everything was smooth and easy, except my actual race!
  • The course is not a difficult course and it’s possible to run fast on it (I didn’t do that, but it’s possible!)

Not so much – What aspects of the Boston Marathon didn’t do it for you?

  • Weather wasn’t awesome. With a point to point course, if the wind is wrong, it’s wrong the entire time. The headwind wasn’t horrible, but it was there the entire way. It was also in the 70s which made for more challenging racing conditions. These things aren’t under anyone’s control but for this year in particular, this was the only downside.

Weird factor – what’s the weirdest thing about the Boston Marathon?

  • Not sure if it’s weird, but with all the security present, and the recent history of the bombing at this race, I did find myself thinking about safety out there. I wasn’t inhibited or worried for any particular reason, but it was a unique experience. As I was suffering in the latter stages of the race, I thought about only making it through safely and that my family made it through safely – thoughts get a little wonky when suffering like I was, and this kind of thinking is not my norm, but in this case, I actually had thoughts about safety which is a new one for me.

Highlights of your race – what did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular

  • I still finished decently despite making poor race decisions early and having to hang on. First, I went out too fast. I had a target heart rate range I wanted to be in and within the first three minutes I was much higher than the target. Even though I tried to get it back in check, that was only for a brief moment. I eventually stopped checking heart rate, thinking that the day was special and that I didn’t need to worry about it. It came back to bite me shortly after the halfway point. I was able to keep a decent pace until hitting the hills after 17. The hills with dying legs were a killer and my pace slowed substantially. I was able to keep running and keep a respectable pace though. It was one of my first marathons in a long time where I was merely thinking about ending the misery. I was hanging on for dear life and am simply glad to have finished without having to have suffered longer!
  • Dave was able to get us a place to stay near the start line prior to the race with a charity group. They had an entire house with food and drinks so we could wait inside for the 2+ hours prior to the start. I’ve stayed in the athlete village before and it’s not bad, but this time around, it was nice to be able to chill out in a house, with multiple bathrooms.

Lessons for others – share your pro-tips on the Boston Marathon to help the next runner

  • As best you can, don’t get too caught up in the hype early and stick to your race plan. Everyone always says not to go out too fast. It’s so easy to go out too fast! I’ve done it twice now!

Aesthetics – is the Boston Marathon a pretty course?

  • It’s not pretty as mountains or oceans can be pretty, but for a city marathon, the scenery was good. More suburban early, finishing with the big city. People lined nearly the entire course so if they’re part of the aesthetics, than it’s one of the prettiest races out there.

Difficulty – is the Boston Marathon a tough course?

  • Depends. If you’re a flat-lander, this is a tough course. If you’re dying in the second half, it’s a tough course. If you’re moderately used to hills and you’re racing smartly, the course isn’t that tough.

Organized and well run – did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

  • One of the best organized races out there.

Competition – is there a strong field?

  • It’s in the World Marathon Majors series. It brings out the best. Plus, you have to qualify for this race which shifts the entire bell curve to the faster side of things.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

  • You have to qualify (or do a charity fundraiser). Registration is in mid-September and it goes in order based on qualifying times. You have to be on it to get a spot and you have to get the qualifying time before that! It’s a straightforward process, but it requires fast running and timely registering.

Review the Boston Marathon Aid Stations

  • Tons of them. They were nearly every mile and there were cups on both sides of the road. There was enough to get multiple cups. This was particularly helpful in this year’s race as I could take cups and dump cold water over my head and body.

Weather and typical race conditions 

  • Spring in Boston. Could be cold, could be hot. There could be a headwind or a tailwind. It could be perfect or storming. Be ready for anything.

Gear – did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next guy?

  • If it’s cold, having gear that you can ditch at the start is important, and there are no drop bags. There is a lot of waiting around before the start of the race and if you’re not prepared, it could be a tough start if you’re shivering and cold.

Spectators – is this a friendly course for your friends?

  • Julie had Paavo with her so they weren’t trying to get around. My guess is that spectators could reasonably get to 3 or 4 spots along the course depending on how they were getting around. Julie was able to be at the halfway point and then at the finish, using the T to get downtown.

How are the awards?

  • Big $ if you’re a big shot. For the rest, there is a finisher’s medal.

The Overall Score – how many stars do you give the Boston Marathon and do you recommend that others run it?

  • Run this race if you have the opportunity. It’s a unique life experience and being part of such a big, historic event feels special. I encourage everyone to try it once if they can get in.

Are you running Boston or trying to qualify for Boston? Hiring a running coach could help you run your best and achieve your goals! Find an experienced marathon running coach today.