26.2 Miles to Boston: A Journey Into The Heart Of The Boston Marathon

by Michael Connelly

"I promise you, next year's marathon will be the biggest, the most significant, the most attended marathon in history," Vice-President Joe Biden

An update of the only narrative that takes the reader through the 26.2 miles of history and tradition that is the world's oldest annual marathon.

26.2 Miles to Boston is a colorful and moving portrait of what it feels like to run the Boston Marathon, putting readers squarely into the running shoes of anyone who has attempted the world's most prestigious long-distance race.The book is a rich, colorful, and inspiring history of the marathon and of the men and women of varying abilities whose struggles and triumphs have colored this historic event for over a century. From suburban Hopkinton, Massachusetts, to the center of metropolitan Boston, the author takes the reader through the mile-by-mile sights and sounds experienced by the runners, past and present.

For this new edition, author and lifetime Bostonian Michael Connelly conducts interviews with runners of the 2013 Marathon and those preparing to run in 2014 – which will prove to be the Marathon’s most historic, celebrated, and highly attended. While still containing the wonderful trivia, history, and traditions from the original edition, this updated edition will bring a wider point of view, weaving in the shocking events surrounding the 2013 race, the aftermath, and Boston’s resilience and commitment to make the 2014 race something special.


 

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction, History

296 pages, Paperback

First published March 4, 2014

About the author

Michael Connelly was a popular sportswriter in the New England area for over a decade. He is also an author, coach, and business executive. Connelly has appeared on television and radio including ESPN, NPR, Fox News and was featured in the CBS documentary “Marching On.”

Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Lance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating:
5 of 5 stars (outstanding)

Review:
The Boston Marathon is considered THE premier event that runners of all abilities set as a goal – if he or she can complete Boston, then that is one of the top achievements one can complete. There is a lot of interesting history along the course of this road race, and this race is chronicled in a terrific book by Michael Connelly.

However, there is an interesting twist to this book in that Connelly does not give a chronological history of the race. Instead, he follows the course from Hopkinton to Boston, with each chapter covering one mile of the course. The last two chapters cover the last 385 yards of the race (the extra distance added to a marathon race) but in two different ways. One of the chapters tells of the stories of exhaustion, exhilaration and agony that runners have once they view the finish line. The other chapter on this portion is about the 2013 bombing and the stories that runners, spectators, responders and race officials have about those terrifying minutes.

In each chapter, he describes the terrain, turns and atmosphere of the mile. The reader feels the agony of climbing Heartbreak Hill on Mile 20, the ear-splitting screams of encouragement from the women of Wellesley College on Mile 12 and the drop-off of 165 feet as the runners move onto the town of Ashland in Mile 2. By describing these and other unique features of the course, the reader feels like he or she is traveling along the course and can imagine how the runners must feel while traversing that mile.

Of course, the book wouldn’t be complete without stories about the runners themselves, and there are plenty that are interspersed in each chapter along with the course description. These stories cover the entire 117 years of the event and include some of the best-known runners from Boston Marathon lore. There is seven-time champion Clarence Demar, whose story of running is told in Mile 2. John “The Elder” Kelley, one of the more popular runners to ever run the event, has a very good story of trying to bait another runner when battling for the lead in Mile 6.

The thrilling finish in 1982 between Alberto Salazar and Dick Beardsley is also replayed in Mile 6. Not every story told necessarily takes place at that point on the course, but they all are woven together in the chapters seamlessly. Readers will be able to still follow the course, but will at the same time have their emotions tested as the stories are mixtures of joy, heartbreak, sadness and redemption.

In short, everything that makes a runner want to get out and put one foot in front of the other is captured in this book and it makes for a terrific read for runners, spectators or anyone who just is interested in this annual event.

Did I skim?
No

Pace of the book:
Very good. The format aided in making this a faster read, although it wasn’t too fast with the insertion of personal stories in the middle of the description of the terrain and makeup of the particular mile.

Do I recommend?
Yes. Whether the reader is a runner, is interested in the history of the Boston Marathon or enjoys personal stories of triumph, this book will be a fine choice.

[Luke Bishop · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 - the first in what will be too many Boston books before April
This was a fun book full of history/trivia about the race. Each chapter focused on a mile of the course so also gave a description and history of the different towns along the way. Repetitive but earnest — quick read

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a long time to get through this book. I started it last year when I was training for the Boston Marathon and only made it through the chapter on mile 12 before the race. When I started training for this year's race,I picked it up again and made it all the way through to the finish! As someone who has run the Boston Marathon three times, I loved this book. Each chapter is devoted to a mile of the marathon course and is a combination of a description of the terrain, information about buildings that runners will see along the course, anecdotes from runners, and stories about events that have happened at that point in various marathons. The writing is a little cheesy at times and the author is not shy about his love for Boston and this race, but I still thought it was great. There is definitely a very specific reader that will enjoy this book and I am 100% in that group. I highly recommend this if you are running Boston or as a gift for someone who is.

[Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book takes you through the marathon course mile by mile. If you know or have run the course this walk through is probably very special. There is a newer 2020 edition of the book. Surely it must cover the wins by USA winners - Meb in 2014 and Desi Liden in 2018.

Maybe only 4.5 stars for some. As you walk through the course you get history and trivia of the race. Lots of info on Clarence DeMar, 2 John Kelly’s, and Uta Pippig. I was surprised there wasn’t more on Bill Rogers or Joan Benoit.

As the miles roll on your history / trivia lesson continues. Nothing is so connected that I felt a rush to get back to reading it. I enjoyed it, but can understand if some don’t love it.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an excellent story of the history and magic of the Boston Marathon. I thought the structure of the book (each chapter being about a single mile in the marathon) was a creative way to organize the history and keep the reader engaged. For anyone who has ever lived in Boston and/or is planning to run the marathon, this book is a must read. The history of the marathon is unlike any other event in running and most likely all sports.

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started the book right before running my first Boston marathon this year, finished the last page right as the plane was landing so it literally accompanied my Boston adventure. There is one chapter for each mile of the marathon, each chapter mixing a description of the route, the author’s experience and a broad view of the marathon over a specific theme. That’s what made the book interesting for me.

[Donald Goodman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never quite got there, but Michael brought it all back.

I ran 7 marathons. Each one gave me similar feelings that Michael blessed us with this wonderul book. I didn't run Boston, much to my regret. I tried to qualify as a Master but never quite had the qualifying time. Michael brought it all back after over 30 years. Bravo!!!

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing style made this a bit of a marathon to get through, but I did enjoy learning about the history of the race. It made my experience running Boston even better as I noticed landmarks on the course and remembered some of the stories that occurred there.

[Brittany Wiley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made me love the Boston Marathon that much more.

[Michael Hammond · Rating 5 out of 5]

very exciting to read about the history of The boston Marathon as was about to embark on my first attempt at the Mecca of running.

[Jane Spiteri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was it a good idea to read this 9 days before I run it? No sure!

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got me pumped for Boston💛💙🦄B

[Dale Kulas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really informative read about the world's longest lasting annual marathon race. I like its format where each chapter is broken down as 'miles' and each 'mile' actually dissects the actual layout of that part of the Boston Marathon race. Each chapter also has a theme that offers up a piece of history on the formation of the race, past winners and other historic moments of the race such as when women and wheelchair entrants unofficially and officially became part of the race, past race controversies, how technology evolved with the race and countless other highs and lows of Boston.

Before I read this book I only knew of a handful of past winners, but author Michael Connelly must have made it mission to mention at least each race winner two or three times throughout the book because by the end I easily had many more winners embroiled into my sub-conscience. There is also a handy appendix at the end with a list of past winners. Worth noting is this edition was also updated to cover the tragic bombings that occurred during the 2013 race. It does not matter if you ran Boston before or how familiar you are with the race because I learned a lot coming out of this book. Only reason I am not going a full five stars is because for more of the really big moments it just states them matter-of-factly when it could have benefited with a little more of a build before just dropping them on you and quickly moving on and not making some moments feel as special as they truly deserve. That gripe aside this still is highly recommended.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

such fascinating stories about the boston marathon and the course itself. because i'm not a marathoner some specifics about the course itself were less interesting but overall it was a great read. i still can't get over the guy who woke up not thinking he was going to run at all but whose wife pushed him out the door and he was the winner that year, the guy who hopped through a moving train while the others were stuck waiting for it to pass and because of his daring move won, the runners who got hit by cars and bikes, got handed drugged fruit, died in the process of running it, etc. you get my point...it's an amazing marathon with even more amazing stories.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of useful information about the course but also tidbits about the storied history of this great race! I am looking forward to running in April even more having read this book!

[Dylan Stetkiewicz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. i was interested in reading read because i was really touched by the way Boston came together as one proving to be one of the strongest and proudest cities in america. after seeing how Boston came together i was intrigued to read more about the marathon and what it was like to run it. This book was a four out of five stars and i recommend it for anyone would is interested in the Boston marathon and loves Boston.

[Brad Angle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Initially I had this at one star. Written by a non-runner, the writing had me cringing and angry a lot. He sounds like an anthropologist explaining to novices what marathoners are thinking as they run through each mile. Also, like he is writing for children. Just bad writing. So I hated this book for a while. But by the end, I must admit I enjoyed all the history he included, and I got sucked into the excitement of all the marathon talk. So, 2 1/2 stars.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read, I checked it out from the library. I like the way it's laid out. It's not chronological, instead, it's a mile by mile description of the course interspersed with history, and stories somewhat related to that portion of the course. The last two chapters encompass the last 385 yards, one devoted to the bombing in 2013, and one devoted to the joys encompassed by people while traversing that last portion of the marathon.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read for anyone who wants to run or has run the Boston Marathon. The book takes you mile by mile along the course, telling interesting stories about the race history, the runners, and the cities and features on the course itself. I read this right before I ran Boston and I feel it really helped me get more enjoyment out of the experience.

[Scott Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this easy read, filled with the rich history of the Boston Marathon. Mile by mile descriptions of the course and the local history that makes this the worlds greatest Marathon.
I choose not to judge the book in relation to the author who ran it as a bandit (Greatly frowned upon by the running community) Anyone interested in the Boston Marathon should give this book a try.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a great tour of the most prestigious marathon in the world. I enjoyed the tidbits of history of runners like Cote, Brown, and Kelly. But u found conflicts with information I read in other books about Boston.

[Des · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent account of what it is like to run the Boston Marathon. Reading it after running brings back all the sights and sounds of the course, the huge numbers of spectators cheering all the way to Boston. The history and anecdotes make you realize just why Boston is the number one marathon.

[Dpalange44 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed how the history of the race was woven into the geography and the physical, mental, and emotional demands of the race. Each chapter brilliantly breaks down one of the 26 (.2) miles of the race. So clever and engrossing.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about the history of this race and about the sights and sounds along the route. I think any fan of running would enjoy it.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learned so much about the great history and tradition behind the Boston Marathon. Inspired me enough to consider maybe someday entering it.

[Budd Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://allsportsbooks.blogspot.com/20...

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I laughed, I cried, and am afraid I've rekindled a desire to run another marathon.

[Jill Corbett]

Loved it!

[Larkin Tackett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sitting with a friend in Starbucks after a run 15 years ago, I set a life goal--qualify for the Boston Marathon before the age of 40. It took me many marathons to do it, but I finally qualified. A few nights before the race, I finished reading Micheal Connelly's story of the history and heart of the world's oldest marathon. He describes, mile-by-mile, and famous-racer-by-famous-racer, the spectacle and the culture surrounding it. Among the hundreds of marathon participants and supporters in the book, I most identify with Olympic swimmer Summer Sanders, who ran in 2013. Connelly described her feeling at the start line. "She looked around and suddenly realized something: She didn't have to run a particular time. In past marathons she'd been obsessed with time because she had to qualify for Boston. But now, she was here; she was at Boston... she turned from her watch and decided to run, pure joy in her heart." From Hopkinton, to Wellesley kisses, to Heartbreak Hill, and to the bombings, each part of the race makes me even more excited, if that was possible. All that's left is the running.