Boston - The Experience
- By Doug Kurtis
Free Press Columnist

What makes the Boston Marathon different from all other marathons? Why do so many runners take on the challenge of preparing for one of the most competitive marathons in the world?

Boston can boast that it has the oldest marathon, one very rich in tradition. The Boston Athletic Association has been conducting the event since 1897 and judiciously keeping records of its history. From the pre race press conferences to the post race awards ceremony there is an atmosphere of elegance and a fraternal order to its operations.

Boston is the only marathon (outside of the Olympic Trials) that requires a qualifying time. With a few charitable exceptions, there are no greenies in this race. Runners from around the world aspire to compete at Boston, which for the past 36 years has been held on a Monday, Patriots Day.

I traveled with a carload of college buddies for my first one.   It was definitely a once in a lifetime bonding experience. Taking a flight into Boston on race weekend has its own buzz.   Walk down the aisle to take a seat and listen to the hum of marathon conversations.   It gets you pumped up.

Patriots Day weekend combined with Easter bring Boston to a level of excitement few towns can match. Local churches hold special masses and sometimes introduce the marathoners to their congregations. Local businesses, especially in the Italian section, Faneuil Hall Market or on Newbury Street, embrace out of town athletes and their families.

The Marathon expo is mammoth and introduces runners to the Seaport World Trade Center.   Every running shoe manufacturer is on display to solicit athletes, who pack the aisles and their bags full of merchandise and give-aways.

Pinning the Boston Marathon number onto your singlet has a distinguished feel to it. As if you were getting ready for the Olympics. Then there is the bus ride to the start. Twenty some miles on a bus seems longer than running the marathon. You can't put away your nervous anticipation especially when surrounded by runners all trying to hide the same thing.

Wandering about Hopkinton allows you plenty of time to relax and find a convenient bathroom.   Some locals open up there home to runners.   One place was once affectionately known as the Michigan house and had its own porta-johns in the back yard.

Many marathons rely on the honor system for staging runners by using pace per mile signs at the start. Not at Boston. Corrals designate a runner's departure based on qualifying time. This year, for the first time, there will be a two wave start and welcoming village to improve the flow into Hopkinton and out.

Few realize that there were only several hundred runners competing every year until the late 1960's. Participation has held steady at 20,000 the last three years.

The course has remained relatively unchanged from its original design. It navigates through six quaint villages before arriving in Boston. Heading downhill for much of the first sixteen miles and the last five has produced fast times when the wind blows from the west. But it's these downhill miles that kill your quads and beat you up like few other marathons.   Most runners love the deafening roar of the Wellesley College girls, but many have also suffered at the Newton and appropriately named heartbreak hills.

Contact Doug Kurtis at Detroit Free Press, 600 W. Fort St. Detroit, 48226