Serious question. Never run Boston before, trying to plan logistics. Need to be home Tuesday and would love to save the hotel fee.
Absent soreness, etc. (it's not my first marathon) is it logistically possible to get from the finish line to Boston Local by about 3:30pm?
Don't think I would take the chance, after all the security that has been set up over the years getting through the family meeting area takes time. Even if you run 3 hrs that leaves you 2/12 hours to make it to check in, cutting it to close in my opinion.
With a downtown hotel, if you walk straight there post-race, change, and go, you MIGHT make it. I wouldn't bet a flight on it, though.
Don't be a cheapskate. You're already paying for the flight, hotel for 1-2 nights, the race etc etc. Relax post-race, have a good dinner and fly the next day.
BostonNew wrote:
Serious question. Never run Boston before, trying to plan logistics. Need to be home Tuesday and would love to save the hotel fee.
Absent soreness, etc. (it's not my first marathon) is it logistically possible to get from the finish line to Boston Local by about 3:30pm?
I live in Boston and feel certain you can get to Logan by 3:30pm.
I am assuming you'll finish by 1:15pm, add 90 minutes to change and get your stuff from the hotel, and 20-30 minutes for a cab ride.
Change @ Park wrote:
BostonNew wrote:Serious question. Never run Boston before, trying to plan logistics. Need to be home Tuesday and would love to save the hotel fee.
Absent soreness, etc. (it's not my first marathon) is it logistically possible to get from the finish line to Boston Local by about 3:30pm?
I live in Boston and feel certain you can get to Logan by 3:30pm.
I am assuming you'll finish by 1:15pm, add 90 minutes to change and get your stuff from the hotel, and 20-30 minutes for a cab ride.
I agree it's a big risk. I'm a student, and it's the cheapest flight by $150 or so. Plus, I'd save the hotel for Monday.
The hotel part scares me a little, though, because won't I have to be checked out by then? Or is there some implied late checkout?
Hoping to run in the 2:30-2:45 range, so your plan makes sense.... I would feel a lot more comfortable with a 5:30 flight!
BostonNew wrote:
Change @ Park wrote:I live in Boston and feel certain you can get to Logan by 3:30pm.
I am assuming you'll finish by 1:15pm, add 90 minutes to change and get your stuff from the hotel, and 20-30 minutes for a cab ride.
I agree it's a big risk. I'm a student, and it's the cheapest flight by $150 or so. Plus, I'd save the hotel for Monday.
The hotel part scares me a little, though, because won't I have to be checked out by then? Or is there some implied late checkout?
Hoping to run in the 2:30-2:45 range, so your plan makes sense.... I would feel a lot more comfortable with a 5:30 flight!
There is no implied late checkout. Most hotels expect you to check out by 11am. Ask them for 1pm or 2pm when you check in. I'm almost sure they will say yes (lots of other people checking out and they wont need the room early)
Is your flight the last flight of the day to your destination on the same airline? If there are several other later options, you can get on the standby list for those flights if you miss yours. As a single flier, odds are pretty good you can get on one. There is typically no change fee for this scenario, assuming you are able get on a flight the same day
Hotels accommodate runners who fly out after race. Call them for details. That 3:30pm goal is no problem at all if your hotel is near Copley Square. Which one are you staying at?
I used to live in Boston. It would be tough, but doable. Depends on where your hotel or baggage will be. If you are staying or traveling with someone, it will be no problem.
BostonNew wrote:
Serious question. Never run Boston before, trying to plan logistics. Need to be home Tuesday and would love to save the hotel fee.
Absent soreness, etc. (it's not my first marathon) is it logistically possible to get from the finish line to Boston Local by about 3:30pm?
Change @ Park wrote:
Hotels accommodate runners who fly out after race. Call them for details. That 3:30pm goal is no problem at all if your hotel is near Copley Square. Which one are you staying at?
No hotel yet, which is (obviously) a big factor. I can spend a little more if I need to but again... trying to keep this as budgeted as possible. This 4:30 flight is about $100 cheaper than anything else.
I like the stand-by idea. It'd be on Delta, so I think it's possible. Not entirely sure how it works (never flown stand-by) but it would be just me.
They have a later flight that day (price is about $300 more) but maybe I could stand-by if I really can't make it. I tend to always budget more time than I need...
BostonNew wrote:
This 4:30 flight is about $100 cheaper than anything else.
You're going to worry yourself to death over $100? Just spend the extra $100 and take a later flight. Having the piece of mind that you WILL make that flight (barring an unforeseen cancellation) is worth it to me.
Spend the extra money if at all possible. The last thing you want to be doing during the race itself is worrying about making a flight on time. Enjoy the race and soak it up a bit afterward...
6:10 flight should give me the extra time?
If it makes you feel any better, I've gotten to Logan 45 minutes before a 9am flight and made it (although fairly narrowly) before.
Even if logistically possible, do some research on plane flights immediately after a marathon and the increased risk of DVT, blood clots.
cautious guy wrote:
Even if logistically possible, do some research on plane flights immediately after a marathon and the increased risk of DVT, blood clots.
I do remember hearing this. Hard to be gung-ho and say I'll just take the risk... probably another reason to take a later flight if at all possible.
BostonNew wrote:
Hoping to run in the 2:30-2:45 range,
Holy sh*t that is a big range, are you kidding me? Are you going to start at 2:30 pace? Are you going to start at 2:45 pace? 2:37:30? Your time range makes me really nervous for you bro, thinking it might be a bomb and 3+.
let's look at the schedule...
since you're in wave 1 let's assume a sub-3:30 marathon - you should be able to do that even if you have a crappy day or it's really f'n hot (which can happen)
10:00 a.m. race start
1:30 p.m. cross finish line
so you have roughly two hours to get out of the finish area, change clothes, and to the airport. it will take you anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes to get out of the finish area.
IMO you will need ether:
1) a hotel reasonably close to the finish area and a T stop or
2) someplace to store your luggage and change after the race that is reasonably close to the finish area and a T stop
figure out your logistics in advance. have a T pass already in hand.
decide whether you will drop clothes at the BAA bag drop area so you can pick them up after the race (with a hotel close enough to walk to, this won't be necessary) will be more important if it's really cold (which it can be) or if you have a ways to go to get back to your hotel.
i would not rely on the blanket/poncho they give out to keep you warm/dry/comfortable
but like others said above, why bother to be in such a hurry?
you're saving hundreds by not paying for a hotel on Monday night... spend the $$ and give yourself time to recover, hydrate, get some food, walk around a bit, etc... before getting on a plane
tarheeledtiger wrote:
let's look at the schedule...
since you're in wave 1 let's assume a sub-3:30 marathon - you should be able to do that even if you have a crappy day or it's really f'n hot (which can happen)
10:00 a.m. race start
1:30 p.m. cross finish line
so you have roughly two hours to get out of the finish area, change clothes, and to the airport. it will take you anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes to get out of the finish area.
IMO you will need ether:
1) a hotel reasonably close to the finish area and a T stop or
2) someplace to store your luggage and change after the race that is reasonably close to the finish area and a T stop
figure out your logistics in advance. have a T pass already in hand.
decide whether you will drop clothes at the BAA bag drop area so you can pick them up after the race (with a hotel close enough to walk to, this won't be necessary) will be more important if it's really cold (which it can be) or if you have a ways to go to get back to your hotel.
i would not rely on the blanket/poncho they give out to keep you warm/dry/comfortable
but like others said above, why bother to be in such a hurry?
you're saving hundreds by not paying for a hotel on Monday night... spend the $$ and give yourself time to recover, hydrate, get some food, walk around a bit, etc... before getting on a plane
Much appreciated. I think it's a good plan - I'll try and find the most affordable evening flight I can. Thanks, all!
As others have mentioned it may be close, but you could do it if your hotel is in near the location.
Keep in my that hotel's near the finish cost more so the hotel that makes this logistically possible may also make less economical.
Why not book a cheap hotel or AirBnB and get a early AM flight? Or book a later flight Monday that costs more and find another way to save $150 between now and April.