Boston Marathon 2024: Runners share if they would do Boston again

"If I could do this every year, forever, I'd do it."

Larbi Benhabib (left) and Scott Gammon

By Kristina DaPonte, Alex Svenson, and Annie Jonas

April 15, 2024

2 minutes to read

As its runners well know, the Boston Marathon is a beast of a race.

A 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton to Boston is tough enough without the difficulty of Heartbreak Hill, the course’s other inclines, and the day’s warm forecast.

Despite these challenges — or maybe because of them — the Boston Marathon is one of the most inspiring days of the year for the city.

Live blog: The very latest on the 2024 Boston Marathon

People have a variety of reasons for running Boston. Some do it to achieve personal athletic goals, others run for causes and charities near and dear to them, and many do it for all the reasons in between. At the end of the day, there’s no better feeling for runners than crossing that finish line.

We spoke with Boston Marathon runners after they crossed the finish line and asked if they would run the legendary race again. Read on to find out their answers.

Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

“I want to do all the World Majors. I’d love to do Chicago next. I can’t say I’d never do it again. The city is just so wonderful. That’s enough to come back and do it.”
-Stefanie Corgel

“I would die to do this again. It’d be a dream. If I could do this every year, forever, I’d do it.”
-Garrett Cazier

“I would! There’s just so many people out, it was great. It’s hard, it’s expensive and it’s painful — there’s a lot of negatives, but at the same time, I’ll remember this fondly.”
-Scott Gammon

“I would. I need some time to forget about it and then I’ll probably be back in a few years.”
-Larbi Benhabib

“Yeah, it’s amazing. The crowds are just — when people told me about it before, I thought, ‘Oh, it’ll only be like that in a couple of places.’ But it’s the whole way, there’s people the whole way, and it’s amazing.”
-Simon Hill

“Absolutely. I’ve moved around and had friends in Houston and I live in Washington D.C., so coming back here is honestly like a reunion with a bunch of friends. And my family comes out every time I come, so it’s amazing. So absolutely — if I can get back. I’ll be back.”
-Hannah Guerard

“Yes, it’s my fourth time and it’s a very fun day. The crowds are amazing.”
-Lauren Flament

“Not tomorrow. But yes, definitely. And hopefully the weather’s a little nicer next time.”
-Daniel Biales

“Absolutely. During the marathon I always think absolutely not, but now that I’m finished, I’d say absolutely.”
-Bofei Cao

“Oh, for sure. It’s a very fun race and challenging course. And it was just fun because I got to do it with Madison. We ran together in college, and so I’m coming here to do a race together again.”
-Erica Eades