by Sapan Bhatt

The Boston Marathon is a cornerstone of the Northeast running calendar. As the region's own "Hometown Major," it feels especially personal—made even more intimate by the fact that it is held on Patriots' Day, a holiday celebrated only in Maine and Massachusetts.

That personal connection was apparent when I serendipitously ran into friends Alan and Kyle from the Maine Harriers running club at the Sunday Expo the day before the race back in April. We made our way around the convention floor, stopping by booths from Shokz and Maurten. Being a bit of a treadmill aficionado, the highlight for me was seeing the machine on which Ashley Paulson broke the 100-mile treadmill record (12:47:10) in a live event just the previous day.

My parents dropped me off at one of these lots on race morning. Conditions were brisk with temps starting in the low 30s. I wrapped myself in an old winter jacket and took a shuttle bus to Athletes’ Village. Athletes’ Village is a sprawling complex about 0.75 miles from the start line. Even with my early arrival being part of the first wave, the village was full of runners. I think the distance to the start is perfect for a warm-up, but the village itself is a bit overwhelming. I made my way over to my start corral and ran into fellow Strider and my Boston training partner, Rich Drown. It was great to share some encouragement and positive vibes with him and the runners around us as we waited the final minutes for the start of our Boston voyage.

That first mile is a generous downhill (100-foot drop), but it takes five to six miles for space to open up. Weaving through runners, we went through that first mile in 6:26 where my goal was 6:10s for a 2:42 finish. I upped the pace as Rich and I searched to find the right group and space to settle in. One augmentation that worked well for me was I made a disposable water bottle out of a restaurant squeeze bottle and rubber band. This allowed me to take fluids and fuel during the first half of the race while minimizing trips with the herd to the water stations. I was able to focus on finding a groove in the center of the road and getting comfortable, rather than thinking about the next aid station.

To me, running in a major marathon seems like how a fish perceives swimming in a large school. Various arrangements of runners (like six moving in sync in a perfect row) would form and disperse as this river of humanity made its way to Boylston Street. The crowds were as lively and raucous as the previous year. A friend told me that as a runner at Boston, you’re the star that day and the spectators and volunteers make you feel it. 

The Wellesley Scream tunnel punctuated the first half with a wall of sounds spiking your adrenaline as co-eds strained across the barriers to get a high-five. The body and fueling were doing well through the first half, but I knew the Newton Hills would be the test. The year prior, I cramped at the summit of Heartbreak Hill and had to fight the final five miles to get across the finish. Moving through the hills this year, I felt stronger and fresher, which I attribute to more outdoor workout with intervals at the later miles. I was able to get to the top of Heartbreak with energy in the tank and then stepped on the gas.

The final five miles are mostly downhill with the crowds building significantly once you pass Boston College. I used the Hoka motto "Fly Human Fly" as my mantra as I gauged the distance with my remaining energy levels to ensure I maintained control. I remember the crowd being eerily quiet and still along Boylston Street, maybe as a reaction to seeing so many humans pushing with every bit of energy they have to cover that last 400 meters. I spied the clock in the corner reading 2:41, which made me excited that I reached my goal.

It was a good 15 minutes before I realized that the clock was marking the start of Corral 1 and having started later in Corral 4, I had actually run a 2:39. The result exceeded my expectations and redefined what I believed possible for myself. At the finish, I ran into my friend Jonah, with whom I’ve twice run Millinocket. I first met him as he was getting off the shuttle bus at Stearns High School, so it was fitting to see him as he was boarding another shuttle bus to return to Hopkinton. 

Boston 2026 was a fantastic experience and not just because of the conditions or the time I ran. It was the first race I’ve been in which my parents spectated, and I cherish the opportunity to reconnect with friends and meet new ones who share this passion. Shout out to Striders members Rich, Kristina, and Lindsay for running great races (if I’m omitting anyone, congratulations to you too!) and thank you to Patrick, Billy, and all the Striders who came down to cheer. See you next year, Boston!