Further southward, many runners rely on the Emerald Necklace, a contiguous line of parks that span some 1,100 acres of urban green space designed by Frederick Law Olmsted in the 1800s. Technically seven miles end-to-end, it stretches from the Boston Common and Public Garden through the Commonwealth Avenue Mall, to the Fenway, Riverway, and Jamaica Pond, ultimately connecting with the Arnold Arboretum and Franklin Park. Cover as much or as little as you like—this one makes for a great choose-your-own-adventure tour of Boston’s more green and residential neighborhoods.
Refresh your kit
With so many run clubs, collegiate track teams, and running events happening year-round, Boston is a great place to consult some experts and pick up some new running shoes or gear to look the part. The two main retailers in town are Heartbreak Hill Running Company, with locations in South End, Cambridge, and Newton (as well as Chicago), and Marathon Sports, with locations in Back Bay, Cambridge, Brookline, and several other towns across New England.
Both retailers have free running groups to get out there with some locals, but each store features slightly different offerings. Heartbreak excels with its overall selection of merchandise, and a subscription-based online training portal filled with plans for 5Ks and marathons (and even the Boston Marathon more specifically). The Newton location is also home to an appointment-based Nike Sport Research Lab station where you can receive personalized analysis of your running, how to improve your form, and which footwear will meet your needs.
Marathon Sports has been a Boston institution since 1975, and offers a truly encyclopedic array of running shoes. Much like Olivander the wand dealer from Harry Potter, the knowledgeable staff here work with each individual customer to pinpoint precisely the right running shoes for your gait, goals, and needs. If you want to really look like you fit in with Boston’s runners, visit Tracksmith Trackhouse on Newbury Street for a unique blend of heritage-inspired styles and contemporary performance fabrics; perfectly emblematic of the old-meets-new style that makes Boston so iconic.
If you’re here for Marathon Monday
Prepare for pandemonium. The third Monday in April is the busiest time of year to visit Boston—but also one of the most exciting. Make your hotel and dinner reservations as early as you can, and make a decision about how close to the crowds you’d like to be. If you’re near the finish line, it truly can take upwards of an hour to walk a single block, but some enjoy being in the midst of the action. Hotels in the Back Bay and Kenmore areas will be steps from the Marathon route and in the center of everything; hotels in Beacon Hill, Government Center and Seaport will be a bit more removed.
