date published:
April 9, 2007
NEW WRINKLES
Responding to athletes’ longtime requests, marathon organizers the Boston Athletic Association have moved up the starting gun. Wheelchair racers now kick off the Marathon on April 16 at 9:25 a.m., followed by the elite women’s field at 9:35 a.m. Then, at 10 a.m., the elite male runners, along with just under 10,000 non-elite racers of both genders, begin. Finally, at 10:30 p.m., the remainder of the field of 20,000 runners depart from Hopkinton. Benefits of the staggered starts range from giving more individual attention to the women racers, to protecting the lawns of Hopkinton residents along the course. This year, a number of elite
female runners will also be
competing in a sort of
“race-within-a-race,” as the Boston
Marathon hosts the U.S.A. Women’s
Marathon Championship. The race
features a separate U.S.-only prize
purse awarded to the top finishers.
Defending women’s champ Rita Jeptoo of Kenya will also be back to try and retain her title, and she’ll be pressed by top female runners like last year’s runner-up Jelena Prokopcuka of Latavia, fellow Kenyan Alice Chelangat and hometown hero Deena Kastor of Waltham, Mass.—who’s looking to become the first American women’s champion since Lisa Larsen-Weidenbach in 1985. |
Party like a
Champion
LIR, 903 Boylston St., 617-778-0089. This Irish pub located literally yards away from the finish line figures to be a popular vantage point for Marathon watchers all day long. The bar’s non-inclusive cover charge for the day is $20, but the Boston Young Professionals Association is hosting their own event at Lir on a private level of the bar—$35 gets you in, as well as two complimentary drinks and complimentary hot and cold appetizers. (Visit www.bostonypa.com for details.) CHEERS, 84 Beacon St., 617-227-9605. If you’re going to enjoy the quintessential Boston sporting event, you might as well do it in the quintessential Boston bar. Located two streets away from the Marathon’s home stretch, Cheers’ happy hour— featuring half-price appetizers at the bar—begins at 4 p.m., just as the majority of the non-elite racers struggle across the finish line. GREAT SCOTT, 1222 Commonwealth Ave., Allston, 617-566-9014. If you’ve just run 26 miles, an evening of rock ’n’ roll is probably the last thing on your mind. However, if the most strenuous thing you’ve done all day is watch the race, you’re in fine shape for Great Scott’s third annual Patriots’ Day Blowout. Local rockers Jesse Malin, Eli “Paperboy” Reed, Jake Brennan and the estimable DJ Carbo provide the tunes. FOUNDATION LOUNGE, 500 Commonwealth Ave., Hotel Commonwealth, 617-859-9900. Foundation Lounge is sure to be hopping throughout the day and night of April 16. However, with its Euro-Asian vibe and upscale feel, it stands as a nice alternative to the sports-pub vibe found in the area, perfect for a cool, laid-back evening of Zensai appetizers and exotic cocktails. |
26 Miles to Glory | |
Panorama's primer on the Boston Marathon and the best places to watch it | |
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ALSO IN THE
RUNNING... Below is a list of other race-related events. All of them, except for the Fitness Expo, are open only to athletes, their guests and the media: > The free 30th annual John Hancock Sports and Fitness Expo (April 13 from noon–6 p.m. and April 14 & 15 from 9 a.m.–6 p.m.) at the Hynes Convention Center is the official number pick-up for runners, and features more than 200 sports equipment and apparel exhibitors displaying their wares. > The B.A.A. Freedom Run offers runners and their friends a 2.8-mile warm-up course that winds through scenic Boston neighborhoods, April 15 starting at 8 a.m. from Copley Square Park. > The annual Pre-Race Pasta Dinner takes place April 15 from 4:30–9 p.m. at City Hall Plaza. This year, entertainment is being provided by the Big Apple Circus, set up under the Big Top at the Plaza. > The Post-Race Dance Party caps off the big weekend with a celebration showcasing video highlights of the race April 17 from 7:30 p.m.–1:30 a.m. at The Roxy and Pure nightclubs, 279 Tremont St. |
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![]() ![]() KENMORE SQUARE/BOYLSTON STREET: Kenmore is always chaotic by the time the lead runners come through, with the 10:05 a.m. Patriots’ Day Red Sox game letting out at nearby Fenway Park. So, duck into trendy Eastern Standard (refer to listing) for food and drinks. If you choose to take your vantage point at the finish line on Boylston, plan on fighting crowds. Luckily, Boylston is laden with drinking establishments, such as the Cactus Club (refer to listing), where you can sip a margarita and wait for your favorite Kenyan runner to break the tape. ![]() back to homepage |