Hi STers - I am running Boston marathon in a few weeks and traveling from London. Just have some questions for anyone who’s run the race around transportation and logistics. Any help is much appreciated!
Getting to and from the race- The site says the best option is the bus from Hoptkinton. I’m staying at a friend’s place at Harvard University, what’s the best way to get to the race start? I Just know that races like NYC marathon has the bus option, but I’ve taken the subway to the ferry which worked well.
Any other suggestions around pacing, nutrition, restaurants around Harvard, etc…is much appreciated. I’ll be picking up my number on Sunday, April 14th so guessing all the gear is sold out!
They will have a large group of busses that go from the square/park area to the start line. Just have to walk over there (or take a cab or something) and then show your race number and you can get on one of the busses. Earlier the better to ensure you are not rushing around.
They can give you more information at the registration/expo. It is a fairly fluid process as they have been doing this a long time.
I know people that have gotten rides to the start line, or stayed closer to there and then had to get a ride after the race back to their place.
You should be able to take the subway to the bus pickup area on the morning of the race. Not sure when it starts running as the 15th is a holiday in Boston.
As for pacing, etc. there are plenty of threads on this forum that go over that in detail.
Bostonian here, ran it last year. If you are staying in the harvard area (I assume you mean by the school and not the town:) Then take the red line subway, known as the ‘T’ from Harvard Sq to the park st. station. The buses pick you up at the boston common which is where the park st. T is. Then take the T back. Couldn’t be easier.
I picked up my number the day before I ran last year as well. There was still plenty of gear at the expo to buy.
ETA: as far as getting home, be sure to have a plan the finish line is a zoo and some of the roads are closed as you would expect. Taking the T back to harvard sq would be fine. Just don’t ‘wing it’
And you do not have to pay for the subway on race day if you have a race bib. It’s free for runners.
Where do you see that? On the MBTA website here it says
DO MARATHON PARTICIPANTS RIDE FREE?
All MBTA passengers must pay their full fare unless otherwise noted. Visit our Fare page for full fare information.