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new york city marathon vs boston marathon

New York City Marathon vs. Boston Marathon: Which One Should You Choose?

Introduction:

The New York City Marathon and the Boston Marathon are two of the most iconic footraces in the world, attracting runners from all over the globe. But which one is right for you? In this blog post, we'll compare the two races on a variety of factors, including course difficulty, atmosphere, and entry requirements, to help you make an informed decision.

Course Difficulty:

The New York City Marathon course is generally considered to be more challenging than the Boston Marathon course. The New York City Marathon course has more hills, including the infamous Heartbreak Hill at mile 20. The Boston Marathon course is relatively flat, with only a few small hills. However, the Boston Marathon course is also longer than the New York City Marathon course, at 26.2 miles compared to 26.1 miles.

Ultimately, the difficulty of a marathon course is subjective and depends on individual fitness levels and preferences. However, if you're looking for a more challenging course, the New York City Marathon is probably a better choice. If you're looking for a flatter and faster course, the Boston Marathon is probably a better choice.

Atmosphere:

The New York City Marathon and the Boston Marathon are both known for their incredible atmospheres. The New York City Marathon is the largest marathon in the world, with over 50,000 runners participating each year. The course winds through the streets of New York City, and runners are cheered on by millions of spectators. The Boston Marathon is also a very popular race, with over 30,000 runners participating each year. The course runs through the streets of Boston, and runners are cheered on by thousands of spectators.

Both races have a festive atmosphere, with live music, food, and drinks available along the course. However, the New York City Marathon is generally considered to have a more lively and festive atmosphere than the Boston Marathon.

Entry Requirements:

The entry requirements for the New York City Marathon and the Boston Marathon are different. The New York City Marathon has a lottery system for entry, and runners must meet certain qualifying times to be eligible to enter the lottery. The Boston Marathon has a qualifying time system, and runners must meet certain qualifying times to be eligible to enter the race.

The qualifying times for the New York City Marathon are generally slower than the qualifying times for the Boston Marathon. This means that it is easier to qualify for the New York City Marathon than it is to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

Which One Should You Choose?

Ultimately, the decision of which marathon to run is a personal one. Both the New York City Marathon and the Boston Marathon are great races, and each one has its own unique atmosphere and challenges. If you're looking for a more challenging course and a lively atmosphere, the New York City Marathon is probably a better choice. If you're looking for a flatter and faster course and a more historic race, the Boston Marathon is probably a better choice.