26 Miles to Boston: The Boston Marathon Experience from Hopkinton to Copley Square

by Michael Connelly

Book Overview

26 MILES TO BOSTON slips squarely into the running shoes and minds of the athletes as they traverse the 26-mile, 385-yard course of America's most venerated long-distance race. From suburban... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1585748285
• ISBN13: 9781585748280
• Release Date: March 2003
• Publisher: Lyons Press
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.94 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

A must read before you run Boston

I just ran the 114th Boston Marathon, and I can tell you that my experience was much enriched by having read this book. The author takes you through the course mile by mile - talking through the landmarks, history and even technical discussions of the course itself. I have to say that after reading the book, I felt even more honored to participate in the race (and a little nervous). The author does a wonderful job of capturing how this just isn't a race, it's an event that stretches through over a century of history - not only of the course, but of distance running itself. Reading it before hand, made the course more alive and familiar to me while I ran it. Recognizing the landmarks and knowing the history behind each one gave me something to look forward to each mile (and in the later miles keep my mind off the suffering). And finally, it gave me a sense for the spirit of the event itself and the personal stories that are inextricably linked each year to it. I did read a few reviews that admonished the author for running as a bandit, I respect that perspective and don't condone bandit'ing the race. However, the author's real value in this book isn't his running prowess (as he readily admits time and time again). Rather, it's the hard work and research he obviously invested to bring all of this history to the reader. I can't think of a better way to personalize the 'data' than to relate it to an actual running of the course. True, it would be ideal if the author was also an elite runner who had qualified - but barring that intersection, I think it would have been a shame to not have this author share his research in the way that he did. That's what I believe the review should be rated on. Hope you found this helpful. I strongly recommend this book and think it should almost be a required reading for anyone signing up to run Boston. You'll be happy you read it! Kevin

A Fun Book to Read

A quick read. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, especially historical happenings during the Boston Marathon races on a mile by mile basis. I wish I would have purchased and read the book prior to running this race, (twice)=D

26 Miles To Boston - The Boston Marathon Experienced From Hopkinton to Copley Square

When I qualified to run my first Boston Marathon I was given a copy of this book. I had never been to Boston prior to the race. I used this book to write my plan on how I should run the race. Each mile the author describes the rich history or the area, runners and insight on how to run the race. This is a must read for first time Boston Marathon runners!

To The Finish Line

This book humanized one of the most famous road races in the world. It was a delight to read and thoroughly entertaining.

In defense, sort of, of bandits . . .

I read this book as someone looking forward to doing his first Boston Marathon (20th overall) next April. I can't imagine a better introduction to subject. It is rich in history, anecdote and illustration. And its mile by mile "feel" for the course brings the event alive. I suspect it is the closest thing to a definitive book on the subject. But particularly I want to address the criticism (in one of these reviews) that it is written by a participant who didn't qualify for the event -- i.e., a "bandit." I agree (with the critic) that achieving a qualifying time is an important part of the experience. Doing a 3:42 marathon in Portland (Ore.), after my most diligent training ever, brought me my greatest thrill as a runner (at age 65!). But as a first-time marathoner, Michael Connelly conveys a delightful naivete and sense of wonder that by definition a "qualifying" marathoner couldn't. I found myself particularly looking forward to the italicized paragraphs begun with his initials "MPC:". Secondly, whether the Boston Athletic Association or any of the official runners likes it or not, "bandits" constitute a regular part of the landscape. It seems significant that the BAA, on the book's jacket, offers an endorsement of "26 Miles to Boston." One more thought: Three-time winner Uta Pippig of Germany, quoted throughout, comes across as such a classy, wonderful athlete and human being that her spirit ought to be bottled.