Marathon Weekend Picks

You don't have to have blisters on your feet to have fun at the Boston Marathon. Bystanders can enjoy a plethora of events, including pre-race dinners, viewing parties, festivals, award ceremonies, and much more. Have your own marathon running around town and stopping at as many of these activities as you can.

April 18-20

John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo
Apr. 18, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Apr. 19, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Apr. 20, 9 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston St.

More than 200 exhibitors touting the latest running gear will be spotlighted at this running expo, hailed as the country's best by Runner's World magazine.

Finish Line Flight
Apr. 18-19, 5-10:30 p.m.
Apr. 20, 5-10 p.m.
Prezza

Carb loaders looking to prep are invited to Prezza to chow down on three different pasta dishes for $30. The lineup includes spring pea raviolini with ham, mascarpone, and fresh peas, orecchiette with sausage, broccoli rabe, and extra virgin olive oil, and tagliatelle with clams and oregano.

April 19

B.A.A. Relay Challenge
April 19, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Boylston Street at Copley Square Park

Boston-area youngsters involved in Club 112, a year-round youth running program created by the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) and Adidas, will participate in a series of age-group and team-oriented relay races. The kids will race down Boylston Street, and there will also be a relay where two members from each youth club will race with elite Adidas athletes.

April 20

2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials: Women's Marathon
Apr. 20, 8 a.m.
Boylston Street, in front of the Boston Public Library

The B.A.A. is hosting the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for the Women's Marathon. The top three finishers will go to Beijing this summer as members of the U.S. Olympic Team. Fourteen elite athletes from New England have qualified for the trials, including 2004 Olympic bronze medalist Deena Kastor. Participants will complete four loops of approximately six miles each through Back Bay, across the Charles River and into Cambridge.

Finish Line Festival
Apr. 20, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Prudential Center

Join thousands for this annual two-day festival, which will celebrate both the running of the U.S. Women’s Olympic Marathon Trials on Sunday, as well as Monday's Marathon. Watch the race live on the WZLX Comcast Jumbotron, enjoy live entertainment and food, and sample new products. Live music will be provided by The Chris Fitz Band and Revolver.


Official Boston Marathon Pre-Race Dinner
Apr. 20, 4:30-8 p.m.
Boston City Hall

Boston Marathon runners and their guests can pack in the pasta together the evening before the big run. Dinner will feature a buffet and live entertainment, and the Big Apple Circus will also perform mini-acts under the Big Top, on a first-come, first-served basis. As if running 26.2 miles wasn't a circus act itself!

Marathoners will recieve a ticket with their official bib number. Additional tickets can be purchased at the Boston Marathon Number Pick-up area of the Sports & Fitness Expo.

Pre-Marathon-Carbo-Load Dinner
Apr. 20, 5:30-10 p.m.
Beacon Hill Bistro

Consume your carbs with class at the Beacon Hill Bistro. Executive chef Jason Bond will serve a healthy and gourmet selection of specials, including spaghetti alla chitarra, ravioli of braised organic rapini greens, and baked penne pasta.


MS Cure Fund Marathon Kick Off Party
Apr. 20, 6 p.m.
Vox Populi

Not a runner? Come celebrate the marathon with a kick off party at Vox Populi, which inludes light hors d'oeuvres and a sponsored bar.

Go on to the next page for all race-day activities...