More Coverage Links:
Coverage Homepage
Post Race:
Men’s Race and Commentary
Women’s Race and Commentary

Race Day: As It Happens – Live Coverage (our real-time impressions)
Pre-Race: Race Preview | Pre-Race Quotes | Elite Athlete Past Matchups | Press Releases | News
Athlete Bios: The Men | The Women

Featured Book/Movie: Run For Your Life | A Race Like No Other

The 115th running of the Boston Marathon will stand in the history books for the fastest marathon ever run: 2:03:02. Not to mention the three others that ran faster than the previous course record. The weather could not have been better, the field more appropriate – it was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
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In the women’s race, Desiree Davila ran the fastest marathon ever for an American at the Boston Marathon – upsetting all others and setting herself up as, arguably, America’s best currently running women’s marathoner.
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photo credit: Victah Sailer

Not a World Record, a World Best
The times run will not count as “world records,” as neither the Boston Marathon course nor the day would allow this. We may say that Geoffrey Mutai ran the fastest marathon ever run, but will still say that Haile Gebrselassie holds the world record for the fastest marathon. A similar situation has stood for years for the women’s half marathon distance, where Paula Radcliffe ran the fastest half marathon ever by a woman 65:40 at the Great North Run, but first Lornah Kiplagat and now Mary Keitany (65:50) hold the record for the fastest half marathon.

The Rules for a Record
For those curious, the record requirement for is that to be record-worthy, i) course may not descend more than 1 part per thousand (that is 138 feet for a marathon = 42.195m for a 42,195m marathon). For comparison, the Boston Marathon descends 450 feet from start to finish; and ii) the start and finish be separated by no more than 30% of the distance of the race (26.2miles X .3 = 7.8 miles) or it must be proven there was not tailwind for more than 50% of the contest.

The Full 2011 Boston Marathon Post-Race Writeups:
The Men’s Race – Boston 2011
The Women’s Race – Boston 2011
Our Mile by Mile Real-Time Coverage

The Elite Race

Post-Race/Race Writeups It was one for the record books – incredible. That sums it up, but read more so you really know what we’re talking about. Post Race Articles: The Men’s Race The Women’s RaceIf you want to experience the mile-by-mile excitement, read our during-the-race coverage: Live Coverage – As It Happens Below, all of the pre-race coverage – still as interesting as when we wrote it. Race Preview / Starter List We love Boston – who couldn’t. With a major course record in 2010 (2:05:52), the stakes have been raised for all future editions of the Boston Marathon. For American running fans; the absence of Meb Keflezighi is a major blow, but the return of both Ryan Hall and Kara Goucher – the hype/hope of possible victories for these two in 2009 was overwhelming! – and the addition of Desiree Davila provides for the opportunity of some national pride and hope.The men’s race includes the fastest man to ever run Boston, Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot; the debut at Boston of Gebre Gebremariam – a man to watch; Tekeste Kebede, Geoffrey Mutai and more…The women’s race features, arguably, the deepest field ever assembled in Boston. Catherine Ndereba, Teyba Erkesso, Dire Tune, Salina Kosgei, Kara Goucher… The 2011 Boston Marathon Preview / Starter List / Prize Money Previous Head-To-Head Performances/Meetings See how top runners on the 2011 roster have matched up before at various marathons. Analyze these repeat rivalries and make your decisions on who will be first to the finish. Previous Elite Head-To-Head Performances Pre-Race Quotes We caught up with many of the top athletes a few days before the marathon. They told us what they’ve been doing to prepare for the race and about they’re expectations. We learned alot and you will too. Quotes from the Pre-Race Press Conference Athlete Bios Learn more about some top contenders at this year’s Boston Marathon – who they are, where they came from, how they have been doing. The Men | The Women

What Others Are Writing…

We’re not the only ones covering this prestigious race. Check out links to press releases and news articles not written by the MarathonGuide.com staff, but hand-delivered to you anyway. Boston Marathon Press Releases Boston Marathon News

Current Boston Qualifying Criteria

So You Want to Run Boston… Eveyone wants to run Boston – it’s the only major marathon with a qualifying time and requirements – meaning that if you say “I ran Boston” everyone immediately knows that you are a serious runner. You trained, you worked hard at it, you ran fast… You want a fast time – where do people go to qualify for Boston. Here is the answer:The Top Boston Qualifying Races

Past Years…

It’s not quite 115 years, but MarathonGuide.com has been covering the Boston Marathon since 2001. Our past coverage can tell you at which mile runners make their moves and who has been successful – and who has failed – in past races. Boston Marathon 2010 Boston Marathon 2009 Boston Marathon 2008 Boston Marathon 2007 Boston Marathon 2006 Boston Marathon 2005 Boston Marathon 2004 Boston Marathon 2003 Boston Marathon 2002 Boston Marathon 2001