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What should first-time marathon runners know before race day?

Tell us your best advice for getting across the finish line.

Runners arrive atop Heartbreak Hill during the running of the 127th Boston Marathon in Newton, MA on April 17, 2023. (Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff)

When you’re staring down the finish line at the end of a 26.2 mile race, you want to make sure you’ve got the best preparation possible. And who better to get you there than your fellow marathoners? 

Whether you’ve run one race or a dozen, we want to hear from you: What advice would you give to a first-time marathon runner?

On April 15, hundreds of thousands of runners will compete in the 128th Boston Marathon, and for some, it’ll be their first marathon ever.

Last year our readers shared tips for the months and weeks before the marathon as well as race day. Most importantly, they reminded runners to enjoy the moment. 

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“Running your first marathon is an incredible celebration — a 26.2-mile victory lap of the hundreds of miles you’ve put in to get to the start line. Enjoy! May your goal be to finish with a smile on your face. Forget about time. Be proud of yourself, you are doing something that most can’t even dream of,” said Kacey F. from Chicago, Ill.

As Boston Marathon runners enter their final days of training, we’re putting together a guide to marathon best practices. 

Tell us: What’s the key to finishing strong on race day? What do you wish you knew before you ran your first marathon? 

Share your tips and tricks for first-time marathoners by filling out the survey below or e-mailing us at [email protected] and we may feature your response in a future article. 

Share your tips and tricks for running a marathon

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