Boston Marathon spectator questions

Old Mar 31st, 2015, 07:03 AM
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Boston Marathon spectator questions

Hello,

I will be in Boston for the marathon in several weeks with my family (my dad is running it). We are from Chicago and have been to Boston only once, almost a decade ago. None of us know the surrounding area at all. Also, one family member who will be with us is pretty limited on how much walking she can do, so that makes it hard to plan. We're staying outside Boston so we'll have a car.

I've been trying to research how to best see the runners. Wondering if this plan is doable:
* Drop my dad off in Hopkinton, then try to go park in Ashland and see him go by for the first time. I thought it would be fun to see him early on in the race.
* Then, park at a train station and take the train into Boston to try to see him again somewhere near the finish. I figure we'll have a couple hours to get in to Boston before he arrives. I'm trying to find out if getting as close to the finish line as possible would be good, or if we should try for Brookline. I'm probably overthinking this!

Can anyone help with info on where we should park to take the train in? Also, I'm guessing people will say we should skip trying to see him in Ashland, and maybe that would be wise.

Any feedback from previous spectators or runners in Boston (or just anyone familiar with the area) will be very appreciated!
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Old Mar 31st, 2015, 08:56 AM
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cw
 
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I'm not sure about the parking situation in Ashland but you can drive and park at Riverside Station on the D Green Line. It's about 30 minutes to Brookline, if you get off at the Reservoir stop, which is closest to the marathon route. Riverside station is right off of Rt. 95 (Grove St. exit) in Newton.

Or you can take the D line into Boston, which will be about 45 minutes. The Green Line runs often and is more convenient than the commuter rail and Riverside has a huge parking lot.

It will be crowded around the finish line, especially for the lead runners, so that might involve a lot of standing. Some of the T stations near the finish line will be closed that day--best to check about road and station closures the week before the event.

Where are you meeting up with your father after the race? You could go right into Boston, and meander around the Prudential Center shopping area and have lunch. It's indoors so if the weather isn't great, it won't be an issue. You probably have a good idea when your father will be finishing, so you could go out around that time, and if the person with you who has mobility problems can't stand very long--they could wait for you in the Prudential area. There is a large food court there as well.

Where are you staying? That might make a difference in the advice you get.

For the Subway information you can look at www.mbta.com
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Old Mar 31st, 2015, 12:28 PM
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I'm thinking that your best bet for really good advice is to check on runner forums or the marathon's own website because those most interested in this question may have already asked and answered it there.

The D line branch of the Green Line, however, is a good option for getting to the city because it has fewer stops than the trolley branches (B, C) and moves quickly. Check the MBTA's website for marathon info too.
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Old Mar 31st, 2015, 04:54 PM
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Thank you for the advice, cw and BigRuss! I find it intimidating looking up driving/parking in an unfamiliar place on a day when there will be street closures. I will look into parking at Riverside and taking the D line. I worry about there being no parking available, so I'll probably have a backup plan. Thanks again!
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Old Mar 31st, 2015, 06:31 PM
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Most road closures are around the route and in Back Bay, Boston, near the finish line.

Riverside has 925 parking spaces, and since it is a Mass. holiday, you won't be competing with a lot of commuters for spaces. Woodland station is an alternative but you would have to get there before the race closed the road.

Map the locations and you'll see that it's not daunting to drive to Riverside.
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Old Apr 1st, 2015, 01:50 AM
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I agree with cw on parking at Riverside and taking the Green Line in. The racers come down Route 16 right past the Woodland T stop, one stop in from Riverside. You could lose the car, get off the T and watch Dad, then head for the finish line on the Green Line.

I used to work in an office park on Route 16 just on the other side of Route 128/I 95, and the Marathon used to reach us at about the beginning of our lunch time. I would, however, follow BigRuss's advice and check the official route and time suggestions. Things change.

Just don't dream about driving into the city.
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Old Apr 1st, 2015, 02:36 AM
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I hate being the bearer of bad news, but there are some things in this plan that need some re-thinking. First, go to baa.org website and read FAQ. The real problem you will encounter is with the person who can not walk distances. You are not over-thinking anything - you have no idea how crowded the streets around the finish line will be. Walking is going to be essential.

1. Dropping off in Hopkinton. There are buses from Boston to Hopkinton for registered runners (only). Last year, there was not the usual bag drop in Hopkinton for runners for security reasons - I do not know what they are doing this year, but the baa website should tell him that. Traffic, even for drop-off in Hopkinton is horrible and he will need to get there really, really early if you are driving him.

2. You will probably be able to find a place around Ashland to park, but it is not likely to be within an easy walk to race course. (Or anywhere else along the route, for that matter). Many streets adjacent to/intersecting with the race course are blocked to cars. Would non-walker be willing to wait in the car? A phone with GPS app that can calculate walking or driving distances and directions will be helpful.

3. Parking at Riverside sounds good - as long as lot is not full. Everyone else will have the same idea. You may have to drop non-walker off closer to MBTA and then park some distance from entrance to MBTA. It is a huge lot.

4. The MBTA will be mobbed. Non-walker will not find a seat. Last year we found the trains so packed that no one was in danger of falling over, though. Trains stopped frequently - and any schedule was meaningless since they just ran as many trains as often as they could to get everyone in and out of the city. But everyone has fun - it is a great atmosphere. Last year we were on the way to Fenway, our train was stuck for a bit, and the kids next to us broke out the chips and dip they were bringing to a party and we all had a snack.

5. Anything near the finish line will be mobbed. Sight-lines are difficult anywhere, since people are a sidewalk width deep. When you finally find a spot, it will involve lots of standing. If this is a problem for non-walker, bring a folding seat.

6. Last year even some of the streets (Brookline Ave, esp from Fenway Park) were closed even to pedestrians. There is a way around that, but it involves quite a bit of walking as well. Again, check baa website, since security was so tight last year that what was last year might be different this year.

7. Be prepared for some difficulty meeting up with your father after the race. Tens of thousands of people are trying to do the same thing. Cell service is sometimes slow since the same thousands are all trying to do the same. If your father is able to run with a cell phone, that might facilitate meeting up.

8. Do not even think of driving into Boston. We will drive anywhere and prefer to have our car with us when we go anywhere. Even we do not drive anywhere near Boston on that day,

9. Be prepared for cold, rain, heat. The weather has a way of changing dramatically as the day goes on.

10. Wishing your Dad a great run. I am not trying to be as negative as the above sounds - just to prepare you. It is a great crowd experience and everyone is generally pleasant and positive.
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Old Apr 1st, 2015, 04:26 AM
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I agree fully with gail's cautions. I would also not be at all surprised if the Riverside lot is full: it's by far the most obvious place to park for people from the western suburbs looking to get to the marathon finish line. And even though it's a holiday for schools and government, many private companies (including all that I worked for from 1977-2013) don't close. Even Brookline will present plenty of problems for viewing -- good luck trying to find a place to park anytime after about 10:30 or 11:00. When you are planning your driving route, remember that the entire marathon route is closed to cars (including those who want to cross those streets) for most of the late morning and early afternoon.

I used to live in Newton, about a long half-block from the Marathon route, about 8 miles from the finish and just before the start of Heartbreak Hill. You might well be able to head to that neighborhood, where you'll be able to park, though probably at least 1/4 mile from the Marathon route. The street is Evelyn Road, and to get there from the Hopkinton or Ashland areas on Marathon day, you'd need to find your way to Route 9 heading east. Just after crossing Rt 95/128, bear right onto the exit for Chestnut St; take the 2nd left onto Chestnut St; travel about 2/3 of a mile to Beacon St and turn right on Beacon St; turn left at the traffic light onto Evelyn Rd. Travel as far as you can on Evelyn (and park, then walk up to Commonwealth Ave for the marathon.
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Old Apr 1st, 2015, 06:09 AM
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I wonder if it would be possible, after you drop off the runner, to drive to the commuter rail parking lot in Framingham. Its very close to the route, so you could probably watch him from there, and then get a train into Back Bay. The caveats...the Framingham lot is pretty big, but may well fill up, and the commuter rail schedule is obviously less flexible. You also might be able to do the same thing from the Ashland commuter rail, and use Framingham as a backup plan.

And what Don and Gail say is true...only companies that are headquartered in Massachusetts give the day off. The rest of us have to get to work as normal.
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Old Apr 2nd, 2015, 07:58 AM
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Thank you, again, for all the advice - it is truly helpful!

As of right now I'm still thinking we'll try to drop my dad off, but very early - around 8:45 or 9:00. We'll then drive to the Riverside station where there will hopefully be parking since it will be so early. Then we'll take the T into Boston - not sure what we'll do for those several hours then. I should clarify that our non-walker can walk, it just has to be limited to a couple miles total (at the very most).

DonTopaz, I'm thinking our backup plan, if the Riverside lot is full, is to drive to Newton before the start of Heartbreak Hill (dropping our non-walker off before parking, if possible). Thanks for the recommendation and I look forward to seeing more of the Boston area!

I know from the Chicago Marathon that trying get near the finish line is stiflingly crowded and not fun. We'll play it by ear when we get there.

Gail, I might try to find one of those very small folding chairs. I know backpacks are an issue so we'll have to just carry the chair around, which isn't ideal, but might still be a good idea.

Thanks again!
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Old Apr 2nd, 2015, 11:44 AM
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Your father's race time will depend on his starting time. If he is in the later start groups, the finish line area should be a bit less crowded.

I hope you get a space at Riverside. You should. Though it's not a holiday for many, lots of people take the day off (at least people I know) or choose to work from home. That combined with it's being school vacation week for many, should result in more spaces being available.

If you go to Newton to watch, check for the nearest T line station, in order to get into Boston and remember the stations closest to the finish line will be closed.

Good luck to your father!
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Old Apr 2nd, 2015, 07:32 PM
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Maybe get one of those combination cane and chairs.
Assume everything will take much longer than you think and don't assume that if you drop someone off you can easily find them again.
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Old Apr 3rd, 2015, 04:10 AM
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Download an MBTA map for your phone. At least you will know alternatives if you need them. Check the MBTA website closer to Marathon date and they will have info on station closings, etc.

And a surprisingly good source of info will be RedSox.com since there is a home game at 11 AM on Marathon Monday - they seem to have clearer info on status of Kenmore and other MBTA stations.
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Old Apr 21st, 2015, 03:59 PM
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Hello! I figured I would update in case it helps other people in the future. So, we did not get a spot at Riverside. We didn't get there until around 9:30 and it was completely full! (With many cars streaming in trying to find spots) We ended up finding a spot along the street in Newton and then taking the T. The conclusion I came to is that having a car is a big problem on marathon day (if you're wanting to park and take the T in). I think we would have had to get to Riverside by 8:30 to ensure finding a spot. Crazy! But it was an incredible experience. Also, it was challenging for our "non-walker" since it's pretty much impossible to go into Boston the day of the marathon without walking a lot. She was a trooper, though. Thanks again for all the advice!
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Old Apr 21st, 2015, 09:07 PM
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Thanks for reporting back. Sorry you didn't get a space at Riverside. With so many new parking restrictions this year, I suppose many more tried to park there. I'm glad it worked out okay. It was a miserable day weather-wise for the runners and spectators. Happy you got to experience it.
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Old Apr 22nd, 2015, 01:28 AM
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Thanks for the update. I think Riverside was particularly full because of proximity to race course. We parked at Sullivan Square (Orange Line - Somerville) at 9:30 and got one of the last spaces, but there are private lots across the street and they had spaces. What a miserable day for runners - watching them go thru Kenmore I admired their strength.
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