One hit wonder??? Boston's self titled album had many hits on it: More than a feeling, Long time, Don't look back, Peace of mind, Rock and roll band, Smokin', Something about you
If you grew up near the course, it's in your blood. It's part of the culture and lore of the area. Stay away if you like, it will improve it for those who dig it.
Run both Chicago and Boston a bunch of times. Much prefer Boston's course and of course weather can take a turn for the worse anywhere. I ran the 2005 Chicago marathon, which was actually shut down mid-race, with runners prevented from finishing, due to the heat. I agree with you on the high cost of travel and accommodations for Boston, but Chicago is the exact same during marathon weekend.
Run both Chicago and Boston a bunch of times. Much prefer Boston's course and of course weather can take a turn for the worse anywhere. I ran the 2005 Chicago marathon, which was actually shut down mid-race, with runners prevented from finishing, due to the heat. I agree with you on the high cost of travel and accommodations for Boston, but Chicago is the exact same during marathon weekend.
The course kinda sucks. Weather can be hit or miss.
The logistics are beyond awful.
It's an expensive place to stay. Flights are expensive, and very long for people coming from the west coast.
Why is Boston still held in such high esteem? Why not pass the title on to a way better race like Chicago? Better course, great logistics, and Chicago is actually well-known on the world stage. Whereas boston is basically known for Boston cream donuts and the one-hit wonder band. Thoughts on why I'm correct?
I did it once and that once enough. Everything you said it true, it's expensive, it can be crazy hot or a snow storm, etc..
Having the qualifying mark gave me something to shoot for when I was getting back into running. So, there's that aspect, but I had zero desire to ever mess with it again.
Crowd support is so much better than in Chicago and the course has a lot more variety. I relish the challenge of the Newton hills. Plus, Boston attracts more serious runners: if you are "serious" about running, it's fun to run alongside many like-minded peers.
The course kinda sucks. Weather can be hit or miss.
The logistics are beyond awful.
It's an expensive place to stay. Flights are expensive, and very long for people coming from the west coast.
Why is Boston still held in such high esteem? Why not pass the title on to a way better race like Chicago? Better course, great logistics, and Chicago is actually well-known on the world stage. Whereas boston is basically known for Boston cream donuts and the one-hit wonder band. Thoughts on why I'm correct?
I have a home marathon course I love, too. It's flat, fast, cheap and easy to get to, where I've PR'd multiple times. But it'll never be The Boston Marathon.
Boston Marathon is special because of:
-The tradition and history, not only of the birth of marathon running in America, but of the birth of America itself.
-The difficult course and unpredictable weather, which scare off runners of weaker body and mind, add to its allure for those eager to conquer challenges.
-It's one of the very few races you have to earn your way in, either through performance or by earning significant amounts money to donate to charity.
-The race is run impeccably.
-The fan support is phenomenal.
-The city supports the race and the runners 100%.
-Non-runners, while being oblivious to most other amateur running accomplishments, recognize the achievement of having qualified for and finishing the Boston marathon.
But no, Boston Marathon is not the easiest race to get into, travel to, run, or finish. If that's what you're after, the Boston Marathon might not be for you.
I agree with most of this post (having not run the BM, but run its course on a trip to Boston for funsies and watched as many iterations of the race that I could; it's beautiful and well-supported). Be that as it may, I have to correct you that the "birth of America," if we're referring strictly to the English expedition that would become the US, is in the Old Dominion.
Started running in 1978 in HS, read every month's RW, T&FN, and Running Times cover to cover. Ran a decently fast marathons in college, but never went to Boston. Ran off and on through adulthood, and finally qualified at CIM 2018. Finally got the chance to run Boston last October. Even with all the reverence I had for the race and its history over the 40 years I've been a runner, the organization and the people along the course exceeded expectations. I want to be the curmudgeon that says, "yeah, it's a hassle, it's expensive (I live out west), it's overrated" but it was amazing.
Didn't run it last week, but will be back in April 2023 as a 60 y/o.
The course kinda sucks. Weather can be hit or miss.
The logistics are beyond awful.
It's an expensive place to stay. Flights are expensive, and very long for people coming from the west coast.
Why is Boston still held in such high esteem? Why not pass the title on to a way better race like Chicago? Better course, great logistics, and Chicago is actually well-known on the world stage. Whereas boston is basically known for Boston cream donuts and the one-hit wonder band. Thoughts on why I'm correct?
I feel like most of the negatives about Boston can also be applied to Chicago. Weather is hit or miss anywhere. The only reason why you hear about terrible weather in Boston more than another marathon is because it's more well known. There can also be amazing weather like this year. Flights are expensive/long for many people going to Chicago as well. If you associate Boston solely with cream donuts and the band then you obviously need a lesson in history.
Also, what's so terrible about the course? I actually think it's a nice course.
I want to run Boston. I don't care if I don't even PR. I just want to and soak up the history, run Heartbreak and go through the scream tunnel.
Chicago looks flat and fast, a bigger Columbus, basically.
Boston is arguably the biggest running city in the country. Do any other major metros outside of NYC support several running store chains, on top of a branded brick-and-mortar store for each of the shoe brands? Tracksmith’s store routinely draws in hundreds of people of people for a Sunday long run, and they’re just one option of over a dozen. Three out of the five best indoor track facilities on the East Coast are within Boston’s city limits. No other city has this concentration of running culture.
Besides that, the Boston Marathon isn’t just a race — at this point, it’s a huge running industry event. It’s an Adidas-sponsored marathon in the home of New Balance and Saucony. Other brands like Puma have key teams in Boston because there’s such a concentration of shoe design talent there. So while everyone’s in town, there are a lot of product launches and other events. There’s no real ‘reason’ for this except that stuff like this begets itself.
Boston and the New England area are to distance running (even hobbyjoggers and C25k peeps) as the Deep South is to SEC Football.
My fiancee's family is from Boston and lives at the Cape right now; the entire state is obsessed with the Marathon.
The bombings and movie made it even bigger after '13. People who didn't GAF about running got interested. When Meb showed up at the after-party the crowd started shouting USA! USA! USA!
But when I watched it I am always impressed how boring the race course and especially the start area looks. Maybe I am spoilt from having done Berlin & Chicago. But starting with a view on the Brandenburg Gate and Victory Column felt *really* special. Same with Grant Park in Chicago. And standing in Staten Island and seeing NYC far away felt really cool.
Looking at the start of Boston and the random suburbia road where it starts felt super "hmm ok whatever". One of the reasons why for me doing NYC is way way higher on my must do list than Boston. I'll probably do it eventually but honestly Berlin and e.g. NYC seem much more of a must-do.
But when I watched it I am always impressed how boring the race course and especially the start area looks. Maybe I am spoilt from having done Berlin & Chicago. But starting with a view on the Brandenburg Gate and Victory Column felt *really* special. Same with Grant Park in Chicago. And standing in Staten Island and seeing NYC far away felt really cool.
Looking at the start of Boston and the random suburbia road where it starts felt super "hmm ok whatever". One of the reasons why for me doing NYC is way way higher on my must do list than Boston. I'll probably do it eventually but honestly Berlin and e.g. NYC seem much more of a must-do.
Forgot to add: If you do a bog city marathon as a bucket list thing I feel boston is among the least inspiring ones. Of course Fans & history etc. might still make it a worthwhile race. Just saying that to some international folks like me it does not quite have the :hobby jogger" olympics reputation that it does to some US based runners.
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