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The Boston Marathon is the most iconic of running races– over 125 years of blood, sweat, and tears, with so many legendary duels and battles it’s hard to rank them all. For many/most runners, qualifying for the Boston Marathon is the pinnacle of their running goals. Often attainable, but often requiring years of work and incremental successes mixed with monumental failures, the race holds an almost mythical quality in the running world.
When runners do finally qualify (or race with a charity bib), the process of getting to Boston and to the start line becomes another marathon filled with logistics, long waits, bus drives, and more. Nobody wants to worry about those things in the lead-up to the biggest race of their life, so we decided to put together a guide that will help you get from point A to point Boylston as stress-free as possible.
Running the BAA 5K on Saturday
That said, with running having an absolute moment right now, the entire 4-day stretch from Friday until Marathon Monday is essentially the Super Bowl weekend of running; all along Newbury Street and beyond, it’s an absolute festival of activations, pop-up shops, group runs, giveaways, and special events that shouldn’t be missed. At this point, if you’re a runner it’s almost as fun being in Boston as it is running the race.
We’re there every year, so we’ve taken all that knowledge and put it into one collective guide to get you through race weekend. Read up and we’ll see you there for the greatest weekend in marathoning!
MEAGHAN: The first time I ran the Boston Marathon was back in 2015. I was only a few years into running and couldn’t comprehend the magnitude of a major marathon. To the point that I took an Uber straight from the airport to the race expo the Sunday before the race. If you’ve ever been to the Boston Marathon expo, you know that having multiple pieces of luggage is one of the worst decisions you could ever make.
All this to say, over the course of five trips to Boston, I’ve learned the hard way how to navigate the weekend, but eventually came away with some big wins (like a 2:48 course PR).
Hopefully these tips can help you prevent the same mistakes I did so you can have the most success on race day and feel good throughout that long journey that ends with a right on Hereford, left on Boylston.
We wanted a couple perspectives for this guide, so we also brought on Ben Johnson, Instagram personality and runner who’s run Boston four times (2021-2024), as well as Meghann Featherstun, registered sports dietician of Featherstone Nutrition and co-host of the Fuel For The Sole podcast, who’s also run Boston four times.
Lastly, if you’re heading up to Boston, we hope to see you there– make sure you say hello!
MEAGHAN: If you’re reading this within a month of Boston, you’re probably screwed, and best of luck to you at whatever backwoods campground or overpriced hotel you’ll be staying at. The best place to stay is downtown Boston, near the finish line. Unless you have incredible parents who meet you in Boston, drive you down to Hopkinton on Sunday, and then drive up to the finish while you’re running Monday morning… yes, that happened to me and yes that was amazing. But, staying downtown is the next best thing.
There are a bunch of hotel options, but you really need to book early (like mid-July of the previous years) through Marathon Tours for the best deals. We typically stay at The Westin Copley Place.
If you’re looking for a quieter place to stay, Cambridge is an option, which is located across the Charles River from Boston. This area is home to Harvard University and MIT, and has some nice restaurants and shops.
Newton is another option, located just outside of Boston. That’s where the famous Heartbreak Hill is located.
BEN: If you’re okay being even farther out of Boston, I’ve had luck staying in Waltham. It’s a small town along the course and avoids much of the hectic feel during the stay, but it will require driving into town to get your bib, and coordinating your own transport to the bus pickup for the start (more on this later).
This is a good option if you’re traveling with enthusiastic spectators that want to view the race from more than just the finish. If they have a car, being outside of town allows for stopping at a couple points along the course prior to heading down to the finish area to meet up.
MEAGHAN: It doesn’t matter if I’m packing for a long weekend or two weeks, there’s no way I can fit everything in a carry-on. With that said: ALWAYS CARRY ON YOUR RACE GEAR.
We’ve heard plenty of lost-luggage horror stories where someone’s race kit ends up lost in the bowels of Southwest somewhere in middle America, necessitating an emergency run to Heartbreak Running Company. Nobody wants that stress on race weekend. For that reason, my race day shoes and kit can always be found with me.
In addition to my kit, I basically carry on anything I can’t replace and need for race day – like my favorite handheld. I also carry-on on LMNT for the night before and regular Skratch for race day. You can get the nice individual packets, or just store some in a plastic bag and look real sketchy. Both get through security just fine.
BEN: As Meg said, I always travel to races with a carry on and avoid the chance of a lost checked bag. Call me paranoid, but I also keep a smaller bag inside my rolling carry on. For more room and extra flair, I use the Nike Shoe Box bag which holds my race shoes and full race kit (shorts, singlet, socks, etc). If you just need to carry shoes, use a dry bag like the Ortlieb PS10 or any of those shoestring bags you get with Nike racing shoes. A clean/dirty packing cube is also great for separating race clothing. Both will keep odor locked in so it doesn’t smell up the rest of your luggage.
It’s good to have both of these in case the overhead bins fill up and I am forced to check my bag at the gate; the smaller bag could be pulled out and put under the seat in front of me.
For my other items I make sure to pack all of my fueling and nutrition so that there is nothing new on race day (Maurten has never had an issue making it through TSA, but my extra large bag of Sour Patch Kids was checked before).
Bring layers, have rain gear, sunglasses or hat if you may run with those. If you fly more than once a year I would consider TSA PreCheck ($85 for 5 years) – it’s completely worth it to minimize waiting time at the airport.
MEAGHAN: There are about a million things you can do throughout race weekend. From panel discussions to product launches to shake out runs, every running brand is doing something cool and it really is a runner’s dream. You could do a marathon before the marathon, but you’ll probably regret it.
So, without bias (maybe a little), these are the events you should mark down for 2025:
Friday, April 18
BITR x Adidas @ 6:00 p.m.
Live podcast recording and shoe release with light bites and drinks
*SOLD OUT*
Saturday, April 19
Team Relay Marathon @ The TRACK at New Balance
91 Guest St, Boston, MA 02135
3:30 p.m.
Join us at The TRACK at New Balance as we run a relay marathon against other run media and crews, including Citius Mag, Fleet Feet, The Morning Shakeout, and Endorphins Running. We got a good team with us, including Tommie Runz, Alex Hermanson, Charlie Watson, Olympian Kim Conley, Wide Foot Jarrett, Lo Johnson, Emily Saul, Aubrey Mvula, and more. It’s gonna be a whole party with DJ, food, and drinks and giveaways, including a custom t-shirt. And it’s all free!
Sunday, April 20
Shakeout Run w/ ASICS
Location TBD
9:00 a.m.
If you’ve been to Boston before, you already know we put on the very best shakeout run in the city with ASICS, year in and year out. This year will be no different, with giveaways, celebrity appearances, shoe try-ons, and more. Don’t miss it!
The crowd at our 2024 ASICS shakeout run
Pro tip from Registered Sports Dietitian, Meghann Featherstun: Another often overlooked logistic that you need to figure out way before 6 p.m. Sunday night: Scope out what and where you want to eat the night before the race and make reservations if needed. Whether that’s pizza or pasta or something else that suits your race tradition, make sure you have that locked up before you find yourself scrambling for some take-out at the last minute.
MEAGHAN: At major marathons, bib pickup can seem like an entire race in itself. Not so much the running part, but the step count is significant. This year, the Marathon Expo will take place Friday, April 18th through Sunday, April 20th at the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center at 900 Boylston St. in Boston. This is a few blocks from the finish line, so if you want to get that pre-race photo of yourself at the finish line, you should bundle those two activities together. The whole expo is free to the public, so your friends and family are welcome to join if they’re tagging along.
As with all race expos, the earlier you can get there, the better. If you show up at 2:00 in the afternoon on Saturday, expect the lines to be long. Even if they’re not long, you will be snaked through what seems like a Shining-style maze system until you get to the actual bib pickup area. Make sure you have your ID and confirmation email/QR code to simplify the whole process.
After getting your bib, you’ll be funneled into the Adidas section of the expo with an enormous footprint. Inside, you can pick up your celebration jacket or any other endless amount of apparel and accessories adorned with the Boston Marathon branding. From there, check out the wide array of vendors, as well as any number of special guests on the main stage. Friday afternoon features a live podcast of Ali on the Run with Ali Feller, followed by a panel discussion with 2023 winner Helen Obiri, Dakotah Popehn, and Connor Mantz. The whole weekend is chock full of running royalty, including appearances by Paula Radcliffe, Boston Bill Rodgers, Deena Kastor, Joan Benoit Samuelson, Clayton Young, and Katherine Switzer.
You can see the full schedule of speakers, as well as the expo hours, here.
The Adidas area at the expo
MEAGHAN: It’s not news that race day weather at the Boston Marathon is a real gamble. You could have a hot, humid 80F-degree day or a cold, rainy 35F-degree day. Hopefully, you have a general idea before you depart for Boston, but definitely bring multiple race day options. I have a few go-to’s for race day including the Tracksmith Session Speed shorts and Lane Five crop top. If it’s a cooler day, I’ll swap the crop for a Van Cortlandt singlet.
It’s also important to bring some throwaways. What you race in and what’s comfortable on the bus ride to Hopkinton are likely two very different things, and there’s no bag check at Athlete’s Village. Whatever you bring you have to run with or toss. I typically pack an old pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt that I’m okay with never seeing again. I also have friends who hit up Goodwill, so you’ll be sure to see some onesies.
MEAGHAN: Look, this is a point-to-point race with enough runners to fill up Fenway Park, so the logistics are … a lot. You’re going to do a lot of waiting, a lot of walking, and a lot of questioning your life decisions on the way to the start line (because it takes like 3 hours). Pack hydration and snacks. Then, pack extra hydration and snacks.
If you stay near the finish, you’ll find a slew of people walking towards the buses on race morning. Expect long lines and a bag check similar to airport security, except fluids are encouraged. Do not bring any bag unless it’s the clear, plastic bag they give you because they will not let you in with anything else.
Walking to the buses
Once you find yourself on a school bus, you get to enjoy an hour ride down to the start, which feels like a really long drive. Bring a straw and paper if you want to relive your elementary school days of spitballin’ at the driver (don’t actually do this). Along the way, you also come to the very obvious and very real realization that you have to run that same route back to Boston. Keep calm and carry on.
All this being said, you can find information in your Athlete Guide with the best time(s) to leave for the buses in the morning based on your bib color. Definitely follow those.
BEN: Circling back to the “staying outside of Boston” plan. To get to the race you have to take a bus. There’s no other way. The roads all get closed within miles of the start. Almost all of the buses start in Boston, but there are a few that pick up a few miles from the start. There is very little information about this in the pamphlet, but it’s worked out for me. You’ll need a ride and drop off, but then there is a short bus ride to the start. Just make sure you have all of this planned before race day.
Pro tip from Registered Sports Dietitian, Meghann Featherstun: Don’t forget to pack snacks and hydration for the bus. Graham crackers, LMNT, bagel– think about whatever you normally eat before your long runs and eat that 2 hours pre-race. And definitely plan to pack your own hydration– don’t count on the water and Gatorade at Athletes Village!
Yeah so sometimes it looks like this
MEAGHAN: A couple years ago, we left our hotel at the last minute and ended up making it to Athletes’ Village with very little time to spare. I don’t recommend that (because, anxiety) but for us, it worked out really well. Instead of waiting in a 45 minute porta-potty line in the Village, we walked straight to the start line (they were calling our corrals as soon as we got there). I panicked thinking we wouldn’t have a chance to use the bathrooms, but it turns out, there’s a whole section for gear drop, including bathrooms, on your walk to the start line. Yes, there’s about a half mile walk from Athletes Village to the actual start line. So if you’re in one of the first waves, skip the Athlete’s Village bathroom line and head straight to your corral. That’s the real pro tip.
BEN: As mentioned above there is a large waiting area before you head off to the actual start. If it’s a rainy day, there’s plenty of tents to gather under. Another point regarding rain– you should bring an old pair of shoes and keep your race day pair in your clear plastic bag. Change into them right before you head to the start. Regarding bathrooms, for dudes, there are fenced-in urinal areas that make going to the bathroom quick and easy. For dudes with deuces, there are a ton of porta potties in every direction so the line is never terribly long.
If it’s a sunny day and you’re racing in one of the later corrals, there will always be plenty of leftover sunscreen bottles, so don’t even worry about packing it. There are also tables with huge jars of vaseline for a last-minute lube job for all your chafing hot spot areas.
Once your corral is called, you’ll head to the start, but just be aware that it’s almost a mile-long walk to the start. If it’s cold, keep on your throwaway long sleeve because it’s at least a half hour from the time you leave the holding area until the actual start. The good news is that there are more porta potty stops along the way, so if you got those real last-minute nerves, you’ll still be good to go (literally).
May as well get a sun tan
MEAGHAN: Everyone tells you not to go out too fast on the downhills, which I find is pretty hard to do anyway. You will be packed in with thousands of other runners for the first several miles, which isn’t so bad since the spectators don’t show up until you’re out of Hopkinton. Don’t be fooled by the downhill start, though. You will encounter rolling hills throughout this entire course.
If it’s warmer and you’ve been running through the winter, just be aware of how that will affect you. There’s no shade out on the course so things can start to heat up fast. Make sure you’re hydrating early and often and pouring water on your head whenever you get the chance.
If you’re in the later corrals, things stay crowded for at least the first 5-6 miles. Don’t waste your energy weaving between everyone, just take what the race gives you and go from there.
The halfway point is located in the town of Wellesley. You’ll know when you’re approaching this point of the race from the noise alone. The Wellesley Scream Tunnel (comprised of Wellesley College students) provides a nice boost of energy right before heading into Newton, where the true hills emerge.
There are a series of four big hills (the Newton Hills) from miles 16 through 21; the last is the infamous Heartbreak Hill. I’m told it’s the steepest of the bunch, but the three that precede it feel pretty big as well. Just keep in mind – for every up, there’s a down.
Once you get past Heartbreak the course is mostly downhill. You’ll head through the town of Brookline and then enter the city of Boston, with the final few miles running down Commonwealth Ave and then, of course, turning right onto Hereford and left onto Boylston Street for the final stretch. The energy on Boylston is something that will stay with you for as long as you live. I promise.
BEN: I always carry a handheld bottle with Maurten 320 mix for marathons and Boston is no exception. I’ll also normally fuel with Maurten gels after the bottle is empty, but Boston is one of the rare races that actually has Maurten on course! I will still carry 4 gels to help fill the gap from when my bottle is gone until the gel stations start showing up.
Pro tip from Registered Sports Dietitian, Meghann Featherstun: Maurten’s aren’t available until Mile 11.8, and that’s way too late to fuel! Carry at least 3 gels from the start and grab a couple at the aid stations.
MEAGHAN: Immediately after the race you will be ushered through the finish corral, which feels like it goes on forever. You can either head to the Family Meeting area or Gear Check (this can be checked before the race), before exiting the corral altogether. I didn’t run with my phone last year, and it took me a really long time to find people. So, if you’re geographically challenged like I am – I would suggest planning an exact spot to meet or carrying your phone.
Obviously, you’ll get the iconic medal right after you cross the finish line. And boy, did they redeem themselves for 2025 after a dismal showing in 2024. If you’re running this year, you’re getting a good one, no doubt about it. Don’t forget to take some photos in iconic locations for that Medal Monday post!
Regardless of how your day goes, you should definitely celebrate with a custom Tracksmith poster. Any finisher who stops by the Tracksmith store on Newbury Street gets a commemorative poster with a hand-stamped time, free of charge. It’s really one of the best souvenirs money can’t buy. Tracksmith does this for all major marathons (well, except Tokyo), and you can get your poster anytime after the race or the day after.
Hopefully that’s enough to iron out some of the major details. You put in the years of work to get here and this is your time to shine. Enjoy the race and the atmosphere and don’t forget to pick up some souvenirs (like the iconic Adidas celebration jacket or Tracksmith gear below) to remember this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Good luck, we hope to see you out there!
Meg crossing the finish line
You’ll also be this happy
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Meaghan signed up for her first marathon three weeks before the race, because it was $10 more than the half she planned to run. She learned everything in running the hard way. Now a USATF & UESCA certified run coach, she loves encouraging friends to go for big goals as she continues to chase faster times. She enjoys a hot cup of coffee, a cold martini, and making bagels for friends and family.
More from Meaghan
Ben is a true running shoe enthusiast (as seen by his Instagram feed) and data geek who loves looking through data and stats related to running shoes and gear. His running continues to improve after his first marathon in June 2019 (2:52). Other hobbies include photography. Home is Minnesota.
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Meghann is the nutrition nerd and co-host of Fuel for the Sole and resident nutrition question answerer for the staff at Believe in the Run. Her first marathon was 3:58 and she swore she’d never run another and with Meaghan’s help just crushed a 2:50 marathon at Chicago this Fall. In her free time, she enjoys making healthy eating easier for everyone and forcing people to eat bagels, graham crackers, and carb load for their marathons.
More from Meghann
Great info thanks guys
Another pro tip from a (6 x in 2025) Boston finisher is to buy your celebration jacket and any other
Adidas race paraphernalia online and shipped to your house ahead of time. That area of the expo is NUTS. Like lose your children in the mob nuts. Get your bib, go through the parts of the expo you want to see—it’s been blah honestly since 2019–COVID really changed the expo vibe—and go to a Red Sox game!
For race day nutrition, because it will be several hours from the time you board the bus and the starting gun, I think “snacks” are not enough. Instead, think “breakfast” or even “second breakfast.” A bagel with peanut butter or a PBJ sandwich will be easy to transport and digest.
Transportation to the start: There used to be parking in Hopkinton with shuttle buses to the Athlete’s Village. I hope that option still exists. For people who live or stay west of Hopkinton, it’s a far better option.