Boston, USA. 15th April 2024.
We left Hopkinton, conquered HeartBreak Hill and reached Bolyston Street to complete the 128th Boston Marathon and become 6 stars finishers on a very sunny day, and with the memory of my father close to my heart. As a cheerful spectator shouted… “it is a beatiful day to be a Boston Marathoner!”.
TLDR; “too long, didn’t read”
- I just want to run! Take me to RACE.
- I have 1 minute. Take me to USEFUL INFORMATION.
- Running is my excuse for travelling. Take me to TRIP.
- Running is my excuse for eating. Take me to CARBOLOADING.
- I want to know why I should run Boston. Take me to HISTORY.
- I want to know what to read in the plane. Take me to ONE BOOK.
- I prefer watching movies than reading in the plane. Take me to TO KNOW MORE.
Build up 💪
I have been longing to participate in the Boston Marathon for years, and in 2024 finally I received the following email…
Then, we received regular “Participant newsletter” with a unicorn 🦄 in a subject of the email 🤩.
The emails contained news about the marathon, like this one about the post race-party:
“The 128th Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America is fast approaching, and we can’t wait to welcome you to Boston! The Mile 27 Post Race-Party presented by Samuel Adams will be held this year in Boston at City Hall Plaza following the race”.
Btw: We did not attend the party because basically, I was quite sore and couldn’t move. But we passed by the day before, enjoyed the atmosphere and took a few pictures. It was great!
In the newsletter there were also tips about training and nutrition, and even a link to the apparel collection. I had to restrain myself from buying compulsively 🤭!!
10 Days to go: Inmersive Expo and more Fan Fest!!
With 10 days to go, we received a special newsletter with the following info (again, the Fan Fest was mentioned):
“During race weekend, don’t forget to stop by one of Bank of America’s immersive experiences. At the Bank of America Boston Marathon Expo, all are invited to step into a one-of-a-kind mini-Boston. For those seeking family friendly activities, visit Fan Fest presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods in City Hall Plaza to enjoy Bank of America’s carnival games, win prizes and learn more about how each of us have the power to make a charitable impact”
Detailed information: Official Program, Participant Guide and Spectator Guide
The newsletter also provided links to tons of information: basically everything you needed to know if you were going to be running or watching. The 128th Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America Participant Guide and the Official Program told you everything you needed to know about race day and race weekend.
Useful information included:
Gear Check – This was for participants to check their clear plastic finish area gear bag at designated gear check areas on Boylston Street and Berkeley Street beyond the finish line.
Expo Schedule – Information for the Bank of America Boston Marathon Expo, free and open to participants, friends, and fans, and featuring an adidas store as well as Official Boston Marathon Sponsors and Licensees.
Fan Fest Schedule – Fan Fest presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, featuring appearances by Boston Marathon champions, live music, activities, a final race clinic, and more!
I particulary enjoyed articles like “A trip to Historic Hopkinton” (where the marathon starts, hitting 100 years old now), and the section featuring the Professional Athletes that were going to be running.
The Participant Guide for the 128th Boston Marathon can be found here, and the Official Program, here.
History 🕰️
The Boston Marathon is the epitome of the urban marathons. The longest running marathon in the world; it is organised from 1897, after the success of the first marathon in the 1896 Athens Olympics.
Many marathoners know every detail of the race like a lesson: from the day it takes place, to the course. Myself included!!
The Boston Marathon is traditionally held on Patriot’s day (a holiday conmemorating a couple of battles of the American Revolutionary War), the third monday of April, and runs from Hopkinton to Copley Square in the centre of Boston.
Boston Icons 🤩: Bobbi Gibb and Kathrine Switzer
In 1966, Roberta “Bobbi” Gibb became the first woman to run the Boston Marathon.
After applying and being denied entry by the race director with the reasoning that “women were not physiologically capable of running marathon distances” (yes, really!) , she decided it was very important to prove him (and most of the world) wrong and set off to run.
After a 4 days bus trip from San Diego where she was living, the day of the race her mother dropped her off in Hopkinton. Dressed with her brother’s Bermuda shorts and a hoodie, she waited until the gun fired and jumped into the race.
Many runners realised that amongst them was a woman. And they encouraged her, so she removed her hoodie. Interest picked up and the press started reporting on her progress.
And finally she crossed the finish line… in an impressive 3h 21m.
Her picture finishing the marathon is world famous:
Here’s an interview in which Bobbi Gibb recalls how she snuck into the race.
A year later, in 1967, Kathrine Switzer became the first woman to run the Boston Marathon as an officially registered competitor.
The picture in which a race official, realising that a woman was running (!!!), attempted to remove her from the race, is equally iconic:
By the way, Bobbi Gibb is recognized by the Boston Athletic Association as the pre-sanctioned era women’s winner in 1966, 1967 and 1968. This pre-sanctioned era comprised the years from 1966 through 1971, when women, who under AAU rules could not compete in the Men’s Division, ran and finished the race.
2013 Boston Marathon Bombings
Back in 2013 I was living in London and thinking of running a marathon (which I would start doing in 2015, with the Barcelona and London ones).
I vividly remember the news, and calling myself a “marathon hopeful”, the deep impact the tragedy had on me.
Two terrorists planted two homemade bombs that detonated a few meters from the finish line. Three people were killed, including a kid, and 17 were severely injured.
No matter how many years pass by, I still get very emotional when I see the images of that day.
When we walked to the Finish Line on Saturday, two days before the Marathon, we saw the memorial of the bombings, which was completed in 2019:
In the section “Movies” I include a movie and a documentary about the bombings and the manhunt for the terrorists later.
“Boston Strong” 💪 💙💛
In response to the bombings, the slogan “Boston Strong” emerged.
The phrase embodies the resilience, unity, and determination displayed by the people of Boston and the wider community in the face of tragedy.
It became a symbol of solidarity and strength as individuals and organizations came together to support the victims, honor the heroes, and demonstrate the city’s resilience in the aftermath of the terrorist attack.
“Boston Strong” serves as a reminder of the city’s ability to overcome adversity and stand together in times of crisis.
During our time in the city, we saw hundreds of beautiful potted daffodils with “Boston Strong”. Marathon Daffodils is a non-profit organization that places these pots all throughout Boston along the Marathon route to signify resilience & strength of the entire Boston Strong community 💙💛
It’s Race Weekend! 💙💛
And finally, Race Weekend came. We received the exciting email with the even more exciting information about the forecasted good weather:
We were ready. As the song goes, “I am shipping up to Boston!“. I even had my Boston-themed nail wraps from Sarah Marie Studio!
But, this time, it was special. I was very emotional when preparing the suitcases, as I packed a necklace with a bit of my dad’s ashes, which I had promised to wear during the race. Yes, “el pare” (my dad) was going to run Boston with me 💙💛:
📅 The Marathon Expo 🎽
A couple of weeks prior to the race, we received an email with the instructions to pick up our BIB in the Bank of America Boston Marathon Expo. Basically, we had to print a Digital Pass, or add it to Apple Wallet, and present it with a government-issued ID. Which we did, like good students!
The expo was scheduled to take place in the John B. Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston Street, between April 12 and April 14.
Highlights in the Expo included:
- Bib Number, Race Packet & T-Shirt Pick-Up
- Sponsor Exhibitors – I loved the Red Sox one, as shown above.
- Adidas Boston Marathon store – It was super crowded but, unlike Tokyo, it didn’t fall short of material. We, like thousands of runners, bought the jackets. Warning: They were expensive!
🌍 The trip 📷
The B.A.A Boston 5K
On Saturday we went for a early walk around the hotel, which was located in “Back Bay”, a super fancy neighbourhood in Boston.
And we saw just the start of the Boston 5K!
It was very nice to see, with a lot of people cheering, most of them dressed in Boston Marathon clothing. There was also a person dressed as a unicorn. Yay!
First, the wheelchair runners started, then the elite men, then the elite women, and finally everyone else. Of course, since it was “only” a 5K, after 10 minutes the fastest runners were already arriving, so we waited and took some photographs of them in front of the Arlington Street church:
Btw, on Sunday runners could be blessed at 11am. Many churches bless the runners, how cool is that?
It was super exciting to see how the entire city lives and breaths running, starting with the 5K.
What to see in Boston in 2 or 3 days
We very lucky: we spent four days in Boston. And got to see a lot of what makes this city special. Boston is a city rich in history, culture, and innovation.
Its historical significance is well known: Boston played a crucial role in the American Revolution, and you can explore iconic sites like the Freedom Trail:
Freedom Trail
The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile-long (4 km) path that passes by 16 historically significant sites related to the American Revolution. It’s a walking trail marked by a red line or red bricks embedded in the sidewalk, making it easy to follow.
Some of the most famous spots include:
- The Boston Common: America’s oldest public park, dating back to 1634.
- The Massachusetts State House: An iconic landmark with its distinctive gold dome, housing the state government
- Park Street Church: known as the “Brimstone Corner,” it played a role in the abolitionist movement
- Granary Burying Ground: final resting place of many notable figures from the Revolutionary era, including Paul Revere and John Hancock.
Harvard Medical School and Cambridge: Harvard Square and MIT
Boston is also home to prestigious universities like Harvard and MIT. Boston is a center for education and innovation.
We visited the Harvard Medical School famous building. Harvard University is one of the world’s most renowned academic institutions, founded in 1636.
We also visited the Harvard Square and the MIT (these last two are actually in Cambridge, across the river).
Harvard Square is a bustling hub of activity with shops, restaurants, street performers, and the Harvard Coop bookstore.
And the MIT, the super prestigious university known for its cutting-edge research and innovation:
Charles River Esplanade and Beacon Hill
Beacon Hill is one of Boston’s most picturesque and historic neighborhoods, renowned for its charming cobblestone streets, federal-style architecture, and rich cultural heritage. And in there you can find the bar which inspired the famous 80s/90s sitcom “Cheers“:
Beacon Hill is steeped in history, with many buildings dating back to the 19th century. It was once home to Boston’s elite and has been the residence of notable figures throughout American history.
We particulary enjoyed walking around the Charles River Esplanade, as most of the trees were flourishing. The beauty of the white cherries and the magnolia trees was… wow! And there were many runners in there.
Prudential Tower Observatory
On Tuesday we also went up the Observatory in Prudential Tower. One of Boston’s most iconic skyscrapers, standing tall at 52 floors and 749 feet (228 meters) in height. Located in the Back Bay neighborhood, it is a prominent feature of the city’s skyline.
We went to the Skywalk Observatory, which is located on the 50th floor. And we enjoyed panoramic 360-degree views of the cityscape, landmarks like Fenway Park and the Charles River.
Bolsyston Street: The Finish Line 2 days before…
One of the things I enjoyed the most was walking around the mytical Bolyston street, where the finish line was located, on Saturday, 2 days before the race.
There were plenty of runners taking photographs. We were all full of anticipation and euphoria. Boston marathon is very special, and to be there, so close… gave me the chills.
⚾ The Boston Red Sox ⚾
Even if you are not into baseball, you are likely to know the Boston Red Sox. Their rivalry with the New York Yankees is the stuff of legends! (And by the way, I did see people running the Boston Marathon with Yankees caps…)
We bought tickets for the mytical Fenway Park to see the Boston Red Sox vs. Cleveland Guardians and, armed with Red Sox caps that we bought in there, we enjoyed the atmosphere of “America’s most beloved Ballpark”!
🏃♀️ The marathon 🏃♂️
Prior to the marathon, our agency, Fernando Pineda, briefed us all runners with the technicalities of the race.
They warned us that it is a difficult course, and can be summarised as follows:
- Kilometers 0 to 8 – Down
- Kilometers 8 to 25 – Plain
- Kilometers 25 to 27 – Strongly down
- Kilometers 27 to 35 – Strongly up!
- Kilometers 35 to the end – Down
In this website you can find detailed elevation information (also included in the map).
The Boston Marathon is truly unique: the most iconic and most different than the other Marathon Majors. In this race you find almost no people with costumes: this is not a party, this is a serious endevour.
We choose to wear the long-sleeved blue official t-shirts of the Marathon. I put a short sleeve t-shirt below, the “Run Melbourne” one, because of the letters “RM”. Yes: “Roger and Marta 🤣.
I was also wearing the same blue cap and black pants that I wore for my first Marathon Major, London 2015, 9 years before.
And the most special accesory: a necklace with a tiny bit of my father’s ashes. My dad had died 2 weeks ago and he had been a runner, the person who inspired me to run. I wanted to finish my World Marathon Major journey with him close to my heart. And I did.
Every little part of the Boston Marathon is ‘legendary’ as it is really a tradition.
Starting from the way you get to Hopkinton, with the yellow school buses that take you from Boston Commons. To us Spaniards it seemed like we were in an Episode of “The Simpsons” 😜
Hopkinton: “It all starts here”
The atmosphere of Hopkinton is that of a quiet American town, with houses with their mailboxes and their American flags. Everybody was in their gardens cheering, all houses decorated with the blue and yellow and “Boston Strong” signs. It was just so cool!
We had been told to wear plastic bags to cover our shoes not to get wet in the grass, but we didn’t spend time in the grass so we were ok.
Hopkinton was great! There was sunblock available in big dispensers, and a volunteer gave me some… well, too much! I had to wipe it out in one of the jackets that people had left behind for charity 😇
If I had known that later I would get burnt, I woud have put the cream in my arms! But at this time it was still ‘cold-ish’ and we were wearing long sleeves.
Off we go!
We set off at 11:20 and the sun was already strong. I decided to take my long sleveed t-shirt quite early on.
The first kilometers were amazing, with a fantastic atmosphere of a festive day, “Patriot’s day”. We passed by the statue of Spencer, the Golden Retriever who used to support the Boston Marathon, which was unveiled earlier this year.
We saw a Mandalorian playing very loud music in his garden, and a very cheerful group of girls playing Taylor Swift. It was around here where a woman shouted “It is a beatiful day to be a Boston Marathoner”. It truly was!
It is hilly but mostly downhill and kilometers were mounting up; but the heat was making things difficult.
At kilometer 18, Roger started to struggle due to the sun, and told me that if I felt ok, I should just go.
I was relunctant because running 24 kilometers by myself in the heat was not a great prospect. But I was feeling ok and well, actually I was going to run with my dad’s memory, so I gave it a go.
Heartbreak Hill and Wellesley Collegue
Kilometers 20 to 22 were hard for me because I was by myself and conscious of still how many miles were left. This marathon was not about my time, it was about just finishing, so I decided to play it safe and walk up Heartbreak Hill.
Later, Roger would even took a picture of him after having conquered it!
One of the best moments for me was passing Wellesley Collegue, because of the girls were cheering. I ran past them tapping their hands… and shouting “Girrrl power”. It was a boost of energy when I needed it the most. Thanks girls!!!
I marched on. I was going to finish this! Step by step, kilometer after kilometer, mile after mile. I drank Gatorade and Water at every possible station: the heat is vicious and I wanted to also play it safe with the hydration.
Boston
And then finally… Boston! We crossed Southie, or so I realised when a woman shouted “Go Southies!” and a lot of people in the street cheering shouted even louder!
We passed Fenway Park and then… I started recognising streets. And then I turned in Hereford and then after in Bolyston… oh my! I was super excited.
The streets were such a party! Thousands of people shouting super, super loud (I think the loudest I have heard in a marathon), and I was talking to myself (and my dad), saying: “we almost made it!”
The finish!
Crossing the finish line was the best sensation ever. I was super tired but so emotional and happy.
I got my Boston Marathon medal with the bright blue and yellow and the unicorn, and then… a final surprise!
In the World Marathon Stand where I was going to receive my 6 stars medal… there was Joan Benoit Samuelson!!
The first woman to win an Olympic gold medal in the marathon and a two-time Boston Marathon champion… and she was the one who hanged the medal in my neck!!! I told her: “You are an inspiration” and she smiled. She is tiny but tough as iron.
The official pictures of Roger and I in the Abbott World Marathon Majors stand:
While I waited for Roger to finish, I got my picture taken again and it shows I was over the moon. With my necklace on, I had done it.
I had completed Boston and I was a six star finisher.
🍜 Carboloading and Protein Recovery 🍝: What to eat
Boston cuisine offer many options for carboloading!
Carbo-rich dishes
The quintessential New England dish, Lobster Rolls, feature chunks of lobster meat served on a buttered and toasted hot dog bun, providing a carbohydrate boost from the bread. Lobster is also a rich source of protein!
Restaurants
A few days before the race, I asked some work colleagues who used to live in Boston about “Italian restaurants” 🇮🇹 to eat pasta 🍝 (and/or pizza 🍕). One recommended Eataly Centrally located in the mall where the Expo took place, Eataly not a restaurant but a “concept”, with several stores and stands that serve Italian food 🇮🇹.
Antoher colleague recommeded Trattoria “Il Panino”, of course, in Little Italy! He also recommended to eat Lobsters Ravioli, which I actually ate. And Russell House in Cambridge.
We decided to visit Little Italy and were not dissapointed! We ate Spaguetti with meatballs and the aforementioned Lobster Ravioli, which I really enjoyed:
Protein-rich dishes
And to celebrate after the marathon and do the necessary Protein Recovery, I recommend Clams. Clams are another popular seafood choice in Boston. Whether enjoyed as part of Clam Chowder or in dishes like fried clams or steamers, they provide a good amount of protein.
And, obviously… Steak Tips: This dish is a Boston classic, featuring marinated and grilled steak tips served with sides like rice or potatoes. Steak is a prime source of protein.
We took it to the extreme on Tuesday, a few hours after the marathon, when we had “Steak and Eggs” breakfast in Newbury street (be warned: it is a hell of a expensive street!). We chose the restaurant “Joe’s on Newbury” and were not dissapointed. Super good quality!
Useful information
🏆 Boston Marathon. First edition: 1897.
🌐 Website: https://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon
🏃 Number of runners: 30,000.
🏃 Course record: 02h 03m 02s.
🗓️ Third weekend in April (Patriot’s Day) in Boston, USA, in North America.
👟 Urban: bring shoes for asphalt.
✅ The longest running marathon, the “marathon for marathoners”.
✅ A marathon major.
Map
One book
“A drink before the war”, by Dennis Lehane.
For the “one book” section, I have selected the debut novel by Boston-born Dennis Lehane: “A drink before the war”. The book vividly describes Boston and specially its Dorchester neighbourhood, where Dennis Lehanne was born and raised.
A found myself smiling reading how Lehanne describes Boston in many paragraphs. The sense of humour of the narrator is just great.
Lehane has four of his books made into Hollywood movies, all directer by very well known names: “Gone girl” and “Live by night” (by Ben Affleck), the acclaimed “Mystic River” (by Clint Eastwood) and “Shutter Island” (by Martin Scorsese).
On the way we were able to see something that almost no Bostonian ever sees in their entire life: empty parking spaces.
I liked many things about “A drink before the war”, because I like crime and detective stories, and this one, set in Boston in 1993, has some ‘air’ of the old ‘noir’ novels and the main characters, Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro, are well written and attractive in their own way. I loved Kenzie’s sense of humour and Angie’s no-nonsense toughness.
The mesmerizing, darkly original novel that heralded the arrival of now New York Times bestselling author Dennis Lehane, the master of the new noir—and introduced Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro, his smart and tough private investigators weaned on the blue-collar streets of Dorchester.
Summary: A cabal of powerful Boston politicians is willing to pay Kenzie and Gennaro big money for a seemingly small job: to find a missing cleaning woman who stole some secret documents. As Kenzie and Gennaro learn, however, this crime is no ordinary theft. It’s about justice, about right and wrong. But in Boston, finding the truth isn’t just a dirty business . . . it’s deadly.
To know more…
🎦 Movies
There are many movies located in Boston, and some of them I really like: “The Departed” and “Good Will Hunting” are amongst my favourites.
But there is one that stands out since it is based in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings.
Patriot’s day
Plot Summary: On April 15, 2013 Boston, Massachusetts, Police Sgt, Tommy Saunders is pulling security duty on the annual Boston Marathon when the Tsarnaev brothers strike with their homemade bombs in an act of terrorism. In the resulting chaos as the wounded are cared for, Saunders and his comrades join forces with the FBI to get to the bottom of this attack. As the investigation continues, the Tsarnaev brothers realize that the authorities are close to identifying them and attempt to flee the city to continue their fanatical mayhem. To stop them, a police manhunt is performed that would have bloody confrontations and a massive dragnet shutting down the City of Boston to make sure there is no escape from the law.
Plot Summary: In this crime-action tour de force, the South Boston state police force is waging war on Irish-American organized crime. Young undercover cop Billy Costigan is assigned to infiltrate the mob syndicate run by gangland chief Frank Costello. While Billy quickly gains Costello’s confidence, Colin Sullivan, a hardened young criminal who has infiltrated the state police as an informer for the syndicate, is rising to a position of power in the Special Investigation Unit. Each man becomes deeply consumed by their double lives, gathering information about the plans and counter-plans of the operations they have penetrated. But when it becomes clear to both the mob and the police that there is a mole in their midst, Billy and Colin are suddenly in danger of being caught – and each must race to uncover the identity of the other man in time to save themselves.
Plot Summary: A touching tale of a wayward young man who struggles to find his identity, living in a world where he can solve any problem, except the one brewing deep within himself, until one day he meets his soul mate who opens his mind and his heart.
American Manhunt: the Boston Marathon bombing
Summary: This documentary that chronicles the events surrounding the Boston Marathon bombings of April 15, 2013, and the subsequent manhunt for the perpetrators. The film delves into the lives of the Tsarnaev brothers, Tamerlan and Dzhokhar, who carried out the terrorist attack, and explores the factors that led to their radicalization. It examines the intense investigation by law enforcement agencies and the eventual capture of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, as well as the impact of the bombings on the city of Boston and the nation as a whole. The documentary provides a comprehensive look at the tragedy and its aftermath, shedding light on the resilience of the survivors and the determination of those involved in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
🎸 Special section: Music 🎹
There is no better song for training for the Boston Marathon than… “I am shipping up to Boston”, by DropKirk Murphys!!! which features in the original soundtrack of “The Departed”. It’s an adrenaline booster from beginning to end! 🚀
But there is also another one, completely opposite to the previous one, that can describe the right state of mind for running: “Step by step”, by NKOTB, New kids on the block, a band from… Boston, of course!
😉 Did you know that one of their components, Donnie Whalberg, is Mark Whalberg’s older brother?
And, by the way, as a teenager I was a fan of them 😮💨
