just show up in Hopkinton on 1-1-08 for the 4th Annual New Years Boston Marathon.
1. Time? 6 am sharp start (its dark and it could be below zero, dress appropriately or you could die)
2. Traffic? There are virtually no cars on the course at this hour on 'a sleep late morning [new years day]' all the way to Boston.
3. Why? why not and because it's arguabley the most historic piece of road in the world to running and what a better way to start the new year.
4. Perks? No shirts, entry fees, medals, cheerleaders, space blankets, waviers to sign, bands, gu stations, buses, certificates or fans.(I have seen a few completely hammered guys who seem to have just fallen off a bar stool)
5. Pace? This is NOT a competition if you show up to try and run a BQ or a time trial you will be humiliated. This run was started as a fun way to start the new year.
6. Fluids? Three options a. Carry water b. Carry money and stop to buy some (a few stores on the route are open) c. put out water along the route (note: it will be frozen solid if the weather is typical)
7.Course? It's the Boston Marathon route. If you don't know the way, shame on you or can save yourself complete embarrassment and print a map and carry it with you or you just might get to see downtown Rhode Island.
http://bostonmarathon.org/BostonMarathon/CourseMaps.pdf
8. Getting there and back? Is runners responsibility to get to the start or back. I drop my car in Hopkinton and then get a ride out later in the day to retrive it. Figure out in advance your transportation needs.
9. History? Nothing better than being able to say that you're the first person in the new calendar year to cover this historic ground. (and you will be unless some nut case starts between midnight and 6 am on 1-1-08) You will enjoy a view of the BAA course like you've never seen. Again the roads are almost car free the whole way.(the only other day with fewer cars is on BAA day and then there are 20,000 people in your way) For the previous 3 editions I have been totally alone the whole way. There must be a least one runner out there who wants to start their year by running the Boston Marathon course? Hope to see you all in Hopkinton!
Note: After doing this run on 1-1-07 in terrible conditions, snow, freezing rain and wind. Running it again this past Patroits day in the "storm of the century" was a piece of cake. If you want to do well at Boston 08 this run is a must do.
Questions? You can get in touch with me by going to the running club site that I belong to and post a message on their message board.
Final words: DO NOT wear any NY Yankees apparal. You are running thru the heart of Red Sox nation including past Fenway Park an many faithful have bad hangovers not to mention it is still hunting season.