Boston Marathon: What's with the hype?
April 18, 2008
As marathons become increasingly popular among runners, one stands out in particular as the be-all-end-all of races. The culmination. The elusive dream. The- well, you get the point. Most of you have probably guessed it - the one and only Boston Marathon. On Monday, April 21, Beantown will essentially come to a halt while this year's race takes place. Businesses shut down, students have the day off from school, and everyone comes together to celebrate this special day. Even celebrities such as Will Ferrell and Lance Armstrong have been attracted to this exclusive marathon. But why? Keep reading to get the skinny on the Boston Marathon.
- On April 19, 1897, the first Boston Marathon occurs, making it the world's oldest annual marathon. There were 15 starters and 10 finishers.
- The race occurs every third Monday in April on Patriot Day, honoring the first battles of the American Revolutionary War, which took place in Massachusetts.
- For the last few years, the number of entrants averages over 20,000 runners. In the centennial race of the Boston Marathon, a world record was set for the largest marathon (recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records) with 38,708 entrants.
- Not just anyone can participate - you have to qualify with a certain time based on your age group and the qualifying times can be a challenge in itself for the common runner.
- Over $575,000 is distributed among the winners.
- Current course records are 2:07:14 and 2:20:43 for men and women respectively.
- The Boston Marathon is considered one of the more difficult marathon courses because it takes runners over the 4 famed hills in Newton, MA that begin at the 16 mile mark. The hills require a late climb after the majority of the course has been downhill, giving runners a huge challenge. The last and most difficult hill is Heartbreak Hill, occurring between mile 20 and 21, which is also when most runners "hit their wall".
- Over 500,000 spectators cheer on runners, making it New England's most widely viewed sporting event.
- Behind the Super Bowl only, the marathon is considered the largest single day sporting event in the world, in terms of on-site media coverage.
- The Boston Red Sox play a home game every year, timed so that when the game ends, the crowd empties into Kenmore Square to cheer the runners in their final mile.
- In 1975, the race recognized a first-ever wheel-chair participant, and today the marathon includes a push rim wheelchair division, a visually impaired/blind division and a mobility impaired program.
Posted by orbike at April 18, 2008 4:44 PM
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