Why is the Boston Marathon so popular?

Absolutely nobody cares about whether the course is legal for PBs unless you are a professional marathoner.

Wow so you've taken a survey of all those 1000s of Boston entries and none of them care. That must have been pretty time consuming lol

It’s long history, having a qualifying process and the sympathy for the 2013 marathon bombing.

Thanks for the mature answer!

The same reason the Catalina wine mixer, cause it's the Boston Marathon.

Would they waste time and money to qualify for, and then run the race if they did care? Me thinks not. People vote with their wallets. Boston participants prove they don’t care about the course legality for records by paying money to show up and run the race.

Over 100 years of history! It has the prestige factor because there is a qualifying standard - that separates it from other races, regardless of how difficult the standard actually is. TV coverage and press coverage in general. Non-runners know about the Boston marathon. Crowd support and community support with lots of traditions.

1. History

2. History

3. History

No other marathon has it.

Long history and hobby jogger Olympics

Tradition, including the BQ.

This^

Sort of unrelated, but Jim Ryun is very much alive

^^^THIS! It is the pinnacle of hobby jogger success. If you qualified for Boston, then you may as well be considered an Olympian in hobby jogger circles.

If he took such a survey I'd bet heavily it would confirm what he said. We all used to go to Boston because of a) it's history and tradition and b) that the competition would push and pull you to a best time. The idea of the course not being record eligible is very recent and not something I've ever heard anyone express any concern about until now.

It's because:

1) History

2) One of the few marathons where you must earn your way in (either by time or charity work; no lottery).

3) Challenging, unique course

4) The city of Boston supports the runners like no other.

People used to care more about great race courses and racing strategy instead of WR time trial marathons.

As great as he is, give me the duel in the sun any day over Kipchoge’s WR run.

vanity mainly

It takes hard work to get into it and it has prestige for most people even if they don't run.

While everyone on this board can run a 2:30 with no training (while also being an incel of course) out in the real world where people have jobs and families putting in the training to qualify requires years of sacrifice. If everything lines up and you qualify you are recognized as someone that is special by friends, families, and colleagues.

Anyone can sign up for most races, even if there is a lottery, but Boston makes you run fast to qualify. If you pay your way in then it just isn't special.

Surely your question is not actually about wondering, unless you have little grasp of the world. Everyone knows why people covet Boston…the difference is really if people believe that the “why” is worthy enough.

A 3:00 marathon is not fast at all.