Boston Marathon 2025: Runners share their favorite part of the course
"I got tears in my eyes during the first few miles when it opened up and I saw all the people," said Joshua Meier.
Ask a Boston Marathon runner about the most memorable part of the race, and you’re bound to hear a mix of iconic landmarks and raw emotion. Heartbreak Hill often tops the list—not for its incline alone, but for the grit it demands.
“Heartbreak Hill, I understand now why it’s special. It was a little party and I saw a lot of my friends there,” said Khalil Grifin, a Boston Marathon finisher and Adidas pro athlete from Warsaw, Poland.
Another unforgettable moment for many was heading parallel to Brookline and Boston University, where the cheers from college students grew louder miles before the “One Mile to Go” sign came into view. “Right before Brookline and before BU, there is just so much energy there,” said Adam Elyounssi. “I had a lot of fun there.”
Of course, nothing compares to the final right on Hereford, left on Boylston, to the finish line. “When you get to the finish line, it is so special because it’s so hard to get in here,” said marathoner Marisa Francisco from Quateira, Portugal. “I didn’t know if I was crying or if I was smiling, it’s so many emotions.”
Read on for the most memorable moments from the 2025 Boston Marathon.
Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
“I love right on Hereford, left on Boylston, because you’re almost done and it’s like ‘you made it’! The hills are memorable because they seem to last forever.” – Megan Hansen, Middletown, Virginia
“I’ve heard so many horror stories about the weather and so the best part has to be the weather.” – John Moffat, Salt Lake City, Utah
“For me, I see my family at a couple spots, so that’s super memorable, and also running down Boylston Street. It’s very exciting when you’re feeling good. Some people aren’t feeling great, and you feel bad for those people, and I’ve been in that position before, but today I was feeling great coming down to the end. It’s a lot of fun if you run a good race, it’s a good day.” –David Lund, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
“I got tears in my eyes during the first few miles when it opened up and I saw all the people. I saw all the people in the street for miles in front of me. It was pretty moving.” – Joshua Meier, San Marcos, Texas
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com