Boston Marathon 2026 MEGA Preview | Course Strategy, Elite Picks & Your Complete Weekend Guide

It's Boston Week! Michael, Katelyn, and Alex break down EVERYTHING you need to know about the 130th Boston Marathon: whether you're racing it, spectating, or following along from home. SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR: Lagoon pillows help us sleep better, so we run better. Want to try? You can save 15% with code MARATHON. Go to https://LagoonSleep.com/marathonhandbook and take the 2-minute sleep quiz to find your match. From race-day logistics and expo tips to elite previews, hot takes, and a data-backed mile-by-mile pacing tool built from 110,000+ Boston finishers — this is your one-stop guide to Marathon Monday. 🗓️ MARATHON HANDBOOK BOSTON EVENTS 📍 Friday — Live podcast recording at the BAA Fan Fest, City Hall Plaza (6:30 PM) 📍 Saturday AM — Alex races the BAA 5K against an elite field (8:00 AM) 📍 Saturday PM — Mile Zero live event with special guest CJ Albertson at Trident Booksellers & Cafe, Newbury Street (Doors 5:00 PM) — SOLD OUT 📍 Sunday — Free community shakeout run at the Boston Marathon finish line on Boylston Street (10:00 AM, no sign-up needed — just show up!) 📍 Monday — Live Watch Along Show streaming on YouTube & marathonhandbook.com Chapters: 00:00 – Welcome & "You Know It's Boston Week When…" game 01:37 – What Marathon Handbook has planned for Boston weekend 05:30 – Friday: Live podcast at BAA Fan Fest, City Hall Plaza 07:45 – Saturday PM: Mile Zero live event at Trident Booksellers (feat. CJ Albertson) 12:47 – Breaking news: Alex is racing the B.A.A. 5K in an elite field 16:08 – Sunday: Free community shakeout run at the finish line 19:40 – Monday: Live Watch Along Show on YouTube & the website 25:37 – Michael's live blog tracker & real-time race updates tool 27:52 – What every Boston runner and spectator needs to know 28:44 – Sponsor: Lagoon Sleep 29:59 – Race day logistics: buses, corrals, drop bags & Athletes Village 34:27 – Why you MUST go to the expo on Saturday (not Sunday) 36:31 – Newbury Street popup guide: Tracksmith, Hoka, Rabbit, Puma & more 37:14 – Michael's ultimate Saturday schedule breakdown 49:10 – Deep dive: the Newbury Street popup scene & brand battles 54:00 – How to pace the Boston Marathon (data from 110,000+ finishers) 56:53 – Course breakdown: the opening downhill, Newton Hills & Heartbreak 1:03:35 – Heartbreak Hill, the "Sicko sign" & the final 600m on Boylston 1:06:08 – Can you negative split Boston? What the data actually says 1:09:56 – "Boston Bingo": bold predictions for the weekend 1:24:34 – Hot takes: Are the popups better than the race? & more 1:28:16 – Elite race preview: key storylines & shoe watch 1:31:22 – Dark horse picks & the case for an American win 1:34:36 – What each host is most excited about & closing thoughts