View Full Version : Boston spectator info needed
I'm running my first Boston Marathon in 12 days and have a few questions for those who have been
there before ...
My wife would like to be able to watch the start, see me somewhere along the course (I'm thinking
around 16-18) and then at the finish. We will have a car. Any suggestions for a good spot for her
along the course? It should be some place she can park and walk a relatively short distance.
As for the starting line ... the official booklet says parking is extremely limited around Hopkinton
and mentions the state park. Does anyone have any idea what time it usually fills up? Are
non-runners allowed on the shuttle busses from the park?
Thanks, -Keith
--
Keith Gemeinhart Technology Service Corp. Sebring, FL
--
Keith Gemeinhart <keithg@nospam.sebring.fl.us> wrote:
>I'm running my first Boston Marathon in 12 days and have a few questions for those who have been
>there before ...
>
>My wife would like to be able to watch the start, see me somewhere along the course (I'm thinking
>around 16-18) and then at the finish.
I think she'd better lower her expectations ;-) Seriously, getting around Boston on marathon day is
a nightmare even if you're a local who knows all the back roads.
She probably won't be able to see the actual start without either getting a press pass or getting
into Hopkinton around 6:00 a.m. Then getting out of Hopkinton is a nightmare in and of itself. One
time I covered Boston the official press bus wasn't able to get back to the finish in time for us to
see (and photograph) the finish. Of course, you won't be finishing as quickly as the winners, but
your wife won't have clearance to get through all the road blocks like the press bus.
I'd suggest she not even try to catch the start. With the help of some locals she *might* be able to
find a viewing spot mid-course and get downtown in time to see you finish, but even this is a
stretch. Boston traffic is hellish when it *isn't* marathon day. Best bet is to stake out one spot
somewhere in the last mile and stick to it.
People start setting out their lawn chairs and coolers early. Good spots near the finish line are
being taken up b7 7:00 a.m.
--
Mark Roberts Photography and writing www.robertstech.com
>Subject: Boston spectator info needed From: Keith Gemeinhart keithg@nospam.sebring.fl.us Date: Wed,
>Apr 9, 2003 3:42 PM Message-id: <3E94A1DB.2070207@nospam.sebring.fl.us>
>
>I'm running my first Boston Marathon in 12 days and have a few questions
>
>for those who have been there before ...
>
>My wife would like to be able to watch the start, see me somewhere along
>
>the course (I'm thinking around 16-18) and then at the finish. We will have a car. Any suggestions
>for a good spot for her along the course? It
>
>should be some place she can park and walk a relatively short distance.
>
>As for the starting line ... the official booklet says parking is extremely limited around
>Hopkinton and mentions the state park. Does anyone have any idea what time it usually fills up? Are
>non-runners allowed on the shuttle busses from the park?
>
>Thanks, -Keith
>--
>Keith Gemeinhart Technology Service Corp. Sebring, FL
>--
>
>
I have to agree with Mark Phillips. The crowds at Boston are huge (reportedly the largest
spectator event in the world) and it's almost impossible to get a good view unless you are
on the course early. Moving from place to place along the course is probably even more
difficult. I would suggest that your wife pick one spot and hope for the best.
(BTW, good luck in Boston, and have a great race)
Robert Walter, CA
"I never gave anyone hell. I just told them the truth, and they thought it was hell."
- - - Harry Truman
I'd ditch the car. Have her take the greenline T to the woodland hills stop (this is the D line
train). This is around mile 17, right before the newton hills. Then she can hop the T back into town
to the finish line. I had friends do this last year and it worked out well.
- Keith
"RWalter2" <rwalter2@aol.comnospam> wrote in message
news:20030410011453.27828.00000528@mb-fp.aol.com...
> >Subject: Boston spectator info needed From: Keith Gemeinhart keithg@nospam.sebring.fl.us Date:
> >Wed, Apr 9, 2003 3:42 PM Message-id: <3E94A1DB.2070207@nospam.sebring.fl.us>
> >
> >I'm running my first Boston Marathon in 12 days and have a few questions
> >
> >for those who have been there before ...
> >
> >My wife would like to be able to watch the start, see me somewhere along
> >
> >the course (I'm thinking around 16-18) and then at the finish. We will have a car. Any
> >suggestions for a good spot for her along the course? It
> >
> >should be some place she can park and walk a relatively short distance.
> >
> >As for the starting line ... the official booklet says parking is extremely limited around
> >Hopkinton and mentions the state park. Does anyone have any idea what time it usually fills up?
> >Are non-runners allowed on the shuttle busses from the park?
> >
> >Thanks, -Keith
> >--
> >Keith Gemeinhart Technology Service Corp. Sebring, FL
> >--
> >
> >
> I have to agree with Mark Phillips. The crowds at Boston are huge
(reportedly
> the largest spectator event in the world) and it's almost impossible to
get a
> good view unless you are on the course early. Moving from place to place
along
> the course is probably even more difficult. I would suggest that your
wife
> pick one spot and hope for the best.
>
> (BTW, good luck in Boston, and have a great race)
>
>
>
>
> Robert Walter, CA
>
> "I never gave anyone hell. I just told them the truth, and they thought
it was
> hell."
> - - - Harry Truman
Yeah, I was wondering about spectator access too, so this is very helpful.
I was also wondering about getting to the start, as a participant. I'm staying at a hotel in
Milford, south of Hopkinton, so I was planning on getting dropped off. The closer drop-off point is
at the South St. Industrial Park on the west side of 495, but the "Welcome" book says they don't
allow dropping off there after the parking lots are full. Does anyone have any idea at what time
they usually close that drop-off point? Because getting to the other point, at Hopkinton State Park,
seems to be a long and circuitous route around downtown Hopkinton. We've already got one long and
circuitous route to contend with.
Thanks.
Tom
--
Visit Thomas F. Yezerski's web site at http://www.thomasfyezerski.com (http://www.thomasfyezerski.com/)
> From: Keith Gemeinhart <keithg@nospam.sebring.fl.us> Organization: Technology Service
> Corporation Newsgroups: rec.running Date: Wed, 09 Apr 2003 18:42:35 -0400 Subject: Boston
> spectator info needed
>
> I'm running my first Boston Marathon in 12 days and have a few questions for those who have been
> there before ...
>
> My wife would like to be able to watch the start, see me somewhere along the course (I'm thinking
> around 16-18) and then at the finish. We will have a car. Any suggestions for a good spot for her
> along the course? It should be some place she can park and walk a relatively short distance.
>
> As for the starting line ... the official booklet says parking is extremely limited around
> Hopkinton and mentions the state park. Does anyone have any idea what time it usually fills up?
> Are non-runners allowed on the shuttle busses from the park?
>
> Thanks, -Keith
> --
> Keith Gemeinhart Technology Service Corp. Sebring, FL
> --
I'd suggest you drive into Boston and leave the car there (if you have a spot to do that!) early
enough for you to catch the bus service out there and your wife to grab the T to Newton to watch you
there. Otherwise I'm not sure she'll be able to get in town in time to get parking and get out
there. The fastest way between Hopkinton and Boston on Patriots Day is to run it! Andy Hass
Thomas Yezerski <tfyezerski@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
> Yeah, I was wondering about spectator access too, so this is very helpful.
> I was also wondering about getting to the start, as a participant. I'm staying at a hotel in
> Milford, south of Hopkinton, so I was planning on getting dropped off. The closer drop-off point
> is at the South St. Industrial Park on the west side of 495, but the "Welcome" book says they
> don't allow dropping off there after the parking lots are full. Does anyone have any idea at what
> time they usually close that drop-off point? Because getting to the other point, at Hopkinton
> State Park, seems to be a long and circuitous route around downtown Hopkinton. We've already got
> one long and circuitous route to contend with.
> Thanks.
> Tom
> --
> Visit Thomas F. Yezerski's web site at http://www.thomasfyezerski.com (http://www.thomasfyezerski.com/)
>> From: Keith Gemeinhart <keithg@nospam.sebring.fl.us> Organization: Technology Service
>> Corporation Newsgroups: rec.running Date: Wed, 09 Apr 2003 18:42:35 -0400 Subject: Boston
>> spectator info needed
>>
>> I'm running my first Boston Marathon in 12 days and have a few questions for those who have been
>> there before ...
>>
>> My wife would like to be able to watch the start, see me somewhere along the course (I'm thinking
>> around 16-18) and then at the finish. We will have a car. Any suggestions for a good spot for her
>> along the course? It should be some place she can park and walk a relatively short distance.
>>
>> As for the starting line ... the official booklet says parking is extremely limited around
>> Hopkinton and mentions the state park. Does anyone have any idea what time it usually fills up?
>> Are non-runners allowed on the shuttle busses from the park?
>>
>> Thanks, -Keith
>> --
>> Keith Gemeinhart Technology Service Corp. Sebring, FL
>> --
>
Listen to Keith. My friend's wife does this every year and has never missed him at either spot.
FORGET DRIVING!!!! Andy Hass
Keith McDonald <kfmcd@mitre.org> wrote:
> I'd ditch the car. Have her take the greenline T to the woodland hills stop (this is the D line
> train). This is around mile 17, right before the newton hills. Then she can hop the T back into
> town to the finish line. I had friends do this last year and it worked out well.
> - Keith
> "RWalter2" <rwalter2@aol.comnospam> wrote in message
> news:20030410011453.27828.00000528@mb-fp.aol.com...
>> >Subject: Boston spectator info needed From: Keith Gemeinhart keithg@nospam.sebring.fl.us Date:
>> >Wed, Apr 9, 2003 3:42 PM Message-id: <3E94A1DB.2070207@nospam.sebring.fl.us>
>> >
>> >I'm running my first Boston Marathon in 12 days and have a few questions
>> >
>> >for those who have been there before ...
>> >
>> >My wife would like to be able to watch the start, see me somewhere along
>> >
>> >the course (I'm thinking around 16-18) and then at the finish. We will have a car. Any
>> >suggestions for a good spot for her along the course? It
>> >
>> >should be some place she can park and walk a relatively short distance.
>> >
>> >As for the starting line ... the official booklet says parking is extremely limited around
>> >Hopkinton and mentions the state park. Does anyone have any idea what time it usually fills up?
>> >Are non-runners allowed on the shuttle busses from the park?
>> >
>> >Thanks, -Keith
>> >--
>> >Keith Gemeinhart Technology Service Corp. Sebring, FL
>> >--
>> >
>> >
>> I have to agree with Mark Phillips. The crowds at Boston are huge
> (reportedly
>> the largest spectator event in the world) and it's almost impossible to
> get a
>> good view unless you are on the course early. Moving from place to place
> along
>> the course is probably even more difficult. I would suggest that your
> wife
>> pick one spot and hope for the best.
>>
>> (BTW, good luck in Boston, and have a great race)
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Robert Walter, CA
>>
>> "I never gave anyone hell. I just told them the truth, and they thought
> it was
>> hell."
>> - - - Harry Truman
Thanks guys for the info about the T. That will probably be the backup plan for now ...
I think she'd really like to see the start even at the expense of not seeing me along the way.
Anyone out there have info about getting to Hopkinton as spectator (e.g. time to get there from
downtown and how early parking fills at the state park) ?
If she manages to get to the start, will it really take 3 hours to get back to downtown and park?!?!
-Keith
ahass@dontspamumich.edu wrote:
> I'd suggest you drive into Boston and leave the car there (if you have a spot to do that!) early
> enough for you to catch the bus service out there and your wife to grab the T to Newton to watch
> you there. Otherwise I'm not sure she'll be able to get in town in time to get parking and get
> out there. The fastest way between Hopkinton and Boston on Patriots Day is to run it! Andy Hass
>
>
> Thomas Yezerski <tfyezerski@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
>
>>Yeah, I was wondering about spectator access too, so this is very helpful.
>
>
>>I was also wondering about getting to the start, as a participant. I'm staying at a hotel in
>>Milford, south of Hopkinton, so I was planning on getting dropped off. The closer drop-off point
>>is at the South St. Industrial Park on the west side of 495, but the "Welcome" book says they
>>don't allow dropping off there after the parking lots are full. Does anyone have any idea at what
>>time they usually close that drop-off point? Because getting to the other point, at Hopkinton
>>State Park, seems to be a long and circuitous route around downtown Hopkinton. We've already got
>>one long and circuitous route to contend with.
>
>
>>Thanks.
>
>
>>Tom
>
>
>>--
>>Visit Thomas F. Yezerski's web site at http://www.thomasfyezerski.com (http://www.thomasfyezerski.com/)
>
>
>>>From: Keith Gemeinhart <keithg@nospam.sebring.fl.us> Organization: Technology Service
>>>Corporation Newsgroups: rec.running Date: Wed, 09 Apr 2003 18:42:35 -0400 Subject: Boston
>>>spectator info needed
>>>
>>>I'm running my first Boston Marathon in 12 days and have a few questions for those who have been
>>>there before ...
>>>
>>>My wife would like to be able to watch the start, see me somewhere along the course (I'm thinking
>>>around 16-18) and then at the finish. We will have a car. Any suggestions for a good spot for her
>>>along the course? It should be some place she can park and walk a relatively short distance.
>>>
>>>As for the starting line ... the official booklet says parking is extremely limited around
>>>Hopkinton and mentions the state park. Does anyone have any idea what time it usually fills up?
>>>Are non-runners allowed on the shuttle busses from the park?
>>>
>>>Thanks, -Keith
>>>--
>>>Keith Gemeinhart Technology Service Corp. Sebring, FL
>>>--
>>>
>>>
>>
>
--
Keith Gemeinhart Technology Service Corp. Sebring, FL
--
>I was also wondering about getting to the start, as a participant. I'm staying at a hotel in
>Milford, south of Hopkinton, so I was planning on getting dropped off. The closer drop-off point is
>at the South St industrial
park....
thomas:
my husband and i stayed in milford last year at the courtyard. from memory....we took a left out of
the courtyard parking lot to the first stoplight (there was a wendy's on the corner). turned right
at the light and went until the road t'd. turning right at the 't' put us on the road that goes past
the industrial park (if memory serves). we did not leave the hotel until
9:30 or 10 and there was plenty of parking available at that time. i think it was, at most, a ten
minute drive.
we both hopped one of the buses and they delivered us to downtown hopkinton where we waited for the
start. my husband took a boat load of pictures of me starting the race and in fact was able to stand
right there with me until i took off. afterwards, he took one of the buses back to the industrial
park and headed to the nearest pub for the local coverage.
after i finished, i got on one of the buses that transport the runners from the finish back out to
the industrial park where my hubby was waiting to pick me up.
if i ever get a chance to do boston again, we will follow the same plan. it worked perfectly for us.
good luck on the hills, cs
Keith Gemeinhart wrote:
> Thanks guys for the info about the T. That will probably be the backup plan for now ...
>
> I think she'd really like to see the start even at the expense of not seeing me along the way.
>
> Anyone out there have info about getting to Hopkinton as spectator
> (e.g. time to get there from downtown and how early parking fills at the state park) ?
>
> If she manages to get to the start, will it really take 3 hours to get back to downtown and
> park?!?!
>
> -Keith
>
Keith,
She may not be able to get downtown with a car at all. Between road closings and the number of
spectators, the chance of getting there by someone who knows the area well is slim. No one who live
in the area tries to drive into town on Marathon Monday.
Really I've watched the marathon dozens of times, and run it a few. Ditch the car, bike or the T is
the only way to get arround, and forget the start.
Just another Bostonian with similar advice.
Mike U.
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