Boston Marathon

“Boston, you were everything I hoped you would be and everything I needed.”

At the 2026 Boston Marathon, the runner ran with the goal of having a positive experience rather than achieving a time, despite an injury and a gap in training. The runner walked and ran the final 8 miles and rediscovered what Boston means.

“Without the crowds, I think I would’ve run 10 minutes slower and probably have been too grouchy to write a race report.”

The runner completed the 2025 Boston Marathon in 2:42:04. Despite the heat, hills, and stomach trouble, they ran to the finish, and said the crowd support along the entire course was a huge help to both their time and their experience.

“This didn’t just live up to expectations, it exceeded them, by a lot.”

The runner finished the 2025 Boston Marathon in 2 hours 42 minutes 04 seconds. Looking back on hill training and race strategy, the runner found that the event was clearly organized and that the atmosphere on site far exceeded expectations.

“The people of Natick were giving their entire hearts out to support the runners during this time period as we climb.”

Before their first Boston Marathon, the runner worried about whether they could compete because of a leg injury, but the pain eased during the race, and their family and the local support encouraged them. The runner wrote that they set a personal record of 2 hours 28 minutes 22 seconds.

“This was my first Boston and 6th marathon overall.”

Daryl Murphy ran the 2025 Boston Marathon for the first time. He lost his target pace on Newton Hill and walked for about 1.5 miles, then stopped at a medical tent around mile 23 — but after some encouragement and a bit of recovery, he started running again and crossed the finish line.

“I think letting go of pace at mile 9 saved my race and helped me remember this is supposed to be fun.”

They explain that pace slowed in the second half because of the heat and the Newton Hills, but the huge support in Wellesley and downtown Boston gave them strength.

“Wellesley was probably the most surreal and energizing moment of my life.”

For this runner, a first Boston was a bucket-list race, and the Wellesley crowds were probably the most surreal and energizing moment. They finished in 2 hours 55 minutes 26 seconds, 1 minute 40 seconds slower than their goal.

“Boston is more than just a race.”

Catrina finished the 2025 Boston Marathon in 3:18:21. After the long travel and training, and with support from the crowds and the people who came with her, she described Boston as a runner's pilgrimage and a celebration of history and perseverance.

“Heartbreak Hill starts out with a gentle grade, but it’s a longer hill.”

At the 2025 Boston Marathon, the runner held back on the downhill sections, made it through the Wellesley support and Newton's four hills, and finished in 3 hours 49 minutes 7 seconds. The runner recorded detailed notes on fueling, the shuttle bus to the start, and the pacing strategy for the second half.

“It wasn’t until an hour after when I finally looked at my watch and saw that I ran 3:11, which tied my course PR from 2023!”

Kacy Seynders finished the 2025 Boston Marathon in around 3:11. Leg fatigue and signs of dehydration hit her on the Newton Hills, but the energy from the crowds carried her home — and it wasn't until an hour later, checking her watch, that she realized she'd matched her 2023 course personal best.

“I finished the race in 3:47:41.”

The runner endured the hot weather and two moments when they nearly fell, then ran the second half faster to achieve their target time.

“Last Monday I ran my 32nd marathon.”

At the runner's tenth Boston Marathon, they adjusted their target pace to suit the heat and started alongside their teammate.