Boston Marathon

2020 MAILING LIST

Boston Marathon 2020

20th April 2020

Duration: 4 Nights Distance: Marathon

The Boston Marathon is one of the world’s greatest sporting events. It is also one of the six World Marathon Majors. Like the city itself it is steeped in history. Nearly a million Bostonians come out to cheer on the runners and we guarantee you will never forget the experience.

This is also an ideal tour on which to bring a non-running companion. There is lots to do in Boston. It is one of the friendliest cities in the U.S., a walkable city which is the cradle of American civilization and where the Irish are always welcome.

We have sold out for 2019, sign up to our mailing list for 2020.

DETAILS
The Marathon takes place on Monday 20th April (Patriots’ Day). It starts at Hopkinton in the beautiful Massachusetts countryside and finishes in downtown Boston.

Sports Travel International has an allocation of much sought-after Guaranteed Invitational Boston Marathon Entries for runners living in Ireland. The event is not suitable for walkers or first time marathon runners. Minimum age is 18 years on the day.

With such an exciting race in the pipeline, you won’t want to worry about logistics and hotel spots, that is why we have it covered from the very moment you step onto your flight to the very finish of your trip to this incredible city.

We are very pleased to offer 4* accommodation located just a short walk from the finish and Boston Common.

Our Package Includes:
- Guaranteed entry to the Boston Marathon, which includes pre-race pasta party and post-race pasta party.
- Return flights from Dublin
- Airport transfers in Boston (standard tour dates and flights only).
- 4 Nights Hotel accommodation in Boston. Breakfast is not included.
- Travel Insurance
- Services of Sports Travel guide.
Included with your entry:
- Long sleeved t-shirt
- Bib number
- Finisher medal
- Admission to the John Hancock Sports and Fitness Expo
- An official result from an electronically recorded official timing system
- Runner gear check bag
- Boston marathon official programme
- Complimentary ticket for the pre race pasta dinner
- Complimentary transport to the start
- Access to the athletes village in Hopkinton
- Water and Gatorade Endurance Formula along the course
- First aid/medical assistance along the course
- Baggage and dressing area (no showers)
- Family meeting area
- Admission to the awards ceremony
- Complimentary ticket for the post race party
Optional Extra – Tour of Marathon Course – Saturday 18th at 2pm or Sunday 19^th April at 10 am

For just €xx / £xx extra we can offer you an excellent 3-hour tour of the historic course the day before the Marathon.

You will go out to the race start in the rural village of Hopkinton where you can take pictures with family or friends at the race start. You travel mile by mile back into Boston as your guide shares stories from the 123 years of the event’s history and highlights important aspects of the marathon course. A trivia quiz will be held on the bus with prizes of sports gear sponsored by Adidas.

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Boston Marathon Event Details

Held on Patriots’ Day, the third Monday of April, the Boston Marathon never seems to fall off any runner’s radar. As the world’s oldest annual marathon dating back to 1897, it is no surprise that thousands aim to secure their place on the start line.

Attracting 500,000 spectators each year and over 30,000 runners, the Boston Marathon in 1996 established a record as the world’s largest marathon with 38,708 entrants, 36,748 starters, and an incredible 35,868 finishers.

In 2013, there was a tragic terrorist attack at the finish area of the Boston Marathon. Runners across the World have always remembered those affected by this tragedy, and now there is a movie called Patriots Day, starring Mark Wahlberg, which recalls the events of the bombing that day and the week after it took place. The movie shows how the people of Boston came together after the attack and the city displayed true strength of human compassion and courage. We at Sports Travel International were there at the 2013 Boston Marathon and many of our customers were running. Fortunately, none of our runners were directly caught up in the bombing, but we will always remember those sadly affected by the events of that day in 2013.

2020 BOSTON MARATHON QUALIFYING STANDARDS FOR GOOD FOR AGE ENTRY (effective from September 15, 20187)
All standards below are based on official submitted net times.

Age Group MEN WOMEN
18-34 3hrs 00min 00sec 3hrs 30min 00sec
35-39 3hrs 05min 00sec 3hrs 35min 00sec
40-44 3hrs 10min 00sec 3hrs 40min 00sec
45-49 3hrs 20min 00sec 3hrs 50min 00sec
50-54 3hrs 25min 00sec 3hrs 55min 00sec
55-59 3hrs 35min 00sec 4hrs 05min 00sec
60-64 3hrs 50min 00sec 4hrs 20min 00sec
65-69 4hrs 05min 00sec 4hrs 35min 00sec
70-74 4hrs 20min 00sec 4hrs 50min 00sec
75-79 4hrs 35min 00sec 5hrs 05min 00sec
80 and over 4hrs 50min 00sec 5hrs 20min 00sec

TESTIMONIALS

"Thank You"

Just a quick email to thank you for organizing another great Sports Travel event at Boston Marathon 2018. It was brilliant from the airport pickup to the hotel and back. Barry was great and knowing that the team all got back safely from the race that day was super considering the horrendous conditions. I look forward to travelling with you again.

Martin, Belfast - September 14, 2018

"Fantastic Time!"

Jeremy and I had a fantastic time in Boston despite the grueling marathon conditions. Barry was amazing and knew the city so well. There was a really great team from Ireland and to date it was my best trip!

Louise, Newtownards - September 14, 2018

"Thanks Again!"

Thanks again for a great Boston Marathon tour. It was definitely the best trip I was on and I think the weather for the marathon itself made it even more special! The people on the tour were an amazing bunch and special thanks to guides Barry & Jenny for their help, organization and information throughout the trip. Thanks again for giving me the opportunity to go on the tour in the first instance. It’s a tour I will not forget in a long time.

Fred, Co Kildare - September 14, 2018

"Thank You"

Please pass our thanks to Barry for his wealth of knowledge on the Boston trip. It was a memorable marathon to say the least.

Gary, Bangor - September 14, 2018
ITINERARY
GROUP FLIGHTS FROM DUBLIN- TBC

Itinerary
- On Friday 17 April, join the group on Aer Lingus flight from Dublin and upon arrival in Boston travel together by coach to the hotel.
- After hotel check-in we head off to the Expo to register for the marathon.
- On Saturday morning at 7.15am our guide will lead out a short jog along the nearby Charles river. Rest of day at leisure to explore Boston.
- Sunday 10am – 1pm those pre-booked the Tour of the Marathon Course. Leave hotel at 8.45am to head to Dalton Street for your coach to Hopkinton and the return trip back in to Boston following the route of the marathon. Look forward to an interesting quiz en route with a chance to win some prizes!
- The Official Boston Marathon Pre-Race Buffet Dinner (Pasta Party) takes place at City Hall Plaza (a few minutes’ walk from the hotel) from 4.00 – 8pm. Specific seating times are assigned on your ticket.
- Monday – Race Day – After an early breakfast head to Charles Street to board the marathon organisers’ buses to the race start in Hopkinton Village.
- Non-Running Supporters meet guide at 9.30am to head out to the 16.8 mile mark at Washington Street in Woodland – the start of Heartbreak Hill. This is a great place to support your runner.
- The Official Boston Marathon Post Race Party takes place from 6.30pm – 10.00pm at historic Fenway Park or go as a group to a nearby restaurant to celebrate your Boston marathon achievement.
- Tuesday Trip To Harvard – At 9.45am head out to Harvard to enjoy a visit of this world-famous college.
- Then later that afternoon we head back to Logan airport for the return flight to Dublin.
HOTELS & PRICING
Wyndham Hotel Boston Beacon Hill

We will return to the 4* Wyndham Boston Beacon Hill which is situated at the foot of Beacon Hill in downtown Boston. It is famous for its Georgian style houses and cobbled st...

2020 Tour Prices to be advised

Runner Non-Runner

WYNDHAM HOTEL BOSTON BEACON HILL

Twin or Double Sharing € €

Triple Share € €

Single Room € €

NB: Triples require 3 person bookings in one booking.

Extra nights are available on request.

Non-running companions are welcome on the tour and should be booked at the same time as the runner.

Optional Extra – Tour of Marathon Course – Sunday 20^th April, 10:00am

For just € extra we can offer you an excellent 3-hour tour of the historic course the day before the Marathon.

Booking Deposit: € per runner and € per non-runner

Single travellers and twin to share

Travelling alone! We welcome single travellers on our tours as it is a great way to join a like-minded group of people and you will make lots of new friends. If you would like to join our group as a single traveller we can offer you two options: a single room or, to keep costs down, you can select our ‘twin to share’ option and we will do our best twin you with another tour participant.
Boston Marathon Hotels
Wyndham Hotel Boston Beacon Hill

The 4 star Wyndham Boston Beacon Hill Hotel, 5 Blossom Street at Cambridge St, Boston is located close to Quincy Market, Faneuil Hall and City Hall in the heart of the city and beside Beacon Hill, one of Boston’s oldest and finest neighborhoods, with gas-lit streets and brick sidewalks.

The beautiful Charles River is just a short distance from the hotel, ideal for our early morning jogs.

The nearest subway station is Bowdoin on the Blue line.

The nearest subway station on the Red Line is Charles MGH.

The hotel is 100% non-smoking. There is a small fitness center and complimentary WiFi throughout the hotel.

Hotel Price

Other Facilities Include:

Swimming pool

Outdoor pool (seasonal)

Fitness centre

Bar

Restaurant

Private parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed) and costs USD 51 per day.

Concierge service

ATM/cash machine on site

Luggage storage

Tour desk

Express check-in/check-out

24-hour front desk

Daily maid service

Dry cleaning (Additional charge)

Laundry (Additional charge)

Fax/photocopying(Additional charge)

Business centre

Meeting/banquet facilities(Additional charge)

Vending machine (snacks)

Vending machine (drinks)

Designated smoking area

Air conditioning

Non-smoking throughout

Heating

Safety deposit box

Lift

Facilities for disabled guests

Non-smoking rooms

Newspapers

Room service
IMPORTANT INFO

BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS

2019 BOSTON MARATHON TOUR

When you make your booking you must complete a Booking Form, accepting on behalf of all your party the terms of these booking conditions and paying the appropriate deposits. If you bring an additional person into your room and have not booked them with us you will be liable for tour costs for this person(s).

The deposits and balance of the cost of your tour must be paid by the due date. If these are not paid in time we reserve the right to cancel your tour, retain your deposit and apply cancellation charges as set out below.

You should select your flights carefully as any subsequent changes will be subject to payment of the applicable change fees.

You, or any member of your party, may cancel your tour at any time, providing that the cancellation is made by the person signing the Booking Form and is communicated to us by telephone. To cover administrative and tour costs incurred, we will apply cancellation charges as outlined below.

The tour price will be confirmed at the time of booking – as the brochure price may have been amended since publication.

It is unlikely we will need to make any changes to your tour, but we do plan the arrangements many months in advance. Occasionally, changes may be made and we reserve the right to do so at any time. Most of these changes are minor and we will advise you at the earliest possible date. Flight timings and carriers in the tour details are subject to change as a result of airline procedures and these details are given for guidance only. Flight details will be shown on your tickets. If a major change becomes necessary, we will inform you as soon as is reasonably possible before departure.

We reserve the right, in any circumstances, to cancel your tour and all tours operate subject to a minimum number of participants. However, in no case will we cancel your tour less than 8 weeks before departure, except for reasons of force majeure (events beyond our control).

In the event of a force majeure occurring, prior to travel or while on tour, the terms of your insurance policy will apply.

If you have a problem during your tour, please contact us immediately. It is a condition of this contract that you communicate any problem to the supplier of the service(s) in question AND to us while on tour. If you fail to follow this procedure we can’t accept responsibility as we will have been deprived of the opportunity to investigate and resolve the problem. In the event of a dispute, the laws of the Republic of Ireland will apply.

If you have your own travel insurance, it must cover you for marathon participation (runner), travel disruption, including possible volcanic ash disruption. Otherwise you must take our insurance.

Cancellation Charges Per Person

*Cancellations up to 30 October: forfeit of €175 / £155

*Cancellations from 31 Oct – 3 Dec:                                            forfeit of €550 / £490

*Cancellations from 4 Dec – 14 Jan:                                           forfeit of deposits

*Cancellations from 15 Jan – 5 Feb:                                           forfeit of 80% of tour cost and full cost of entry

*Cancellations from 6 Feb to date of departure: full cost will be forfeited unless the cancelled flights and accommodation can be substituted.

Surcharge: In the event of significant currency fluctuations, it may be necessary to impose a surcharge. No surcharge will be imposed within 8 weeks of departure.

Conditions of Carriage: Carriage of passengers and baggage is performed in accordance with the General conditions of Carriage and Regulations of the airline used. These are available on the airline’s website.

Passport Information

All passengers, including children and infants, travelling to the US must have a valid ePassport. Check your current passport for the ePassport symbol on the front cover. Renew your passport in good time if necessary.

See www.dfa.ie/passports or https://www.gov.uk/browse/citizenship/passports

Immigration to the USA

International visitors to the U.S. from Visa Waiver Program countries (Ireland and Britain) are required to apply for a travel authorisation online, known as the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation). Travellers from non-Visa Waiver Program countries should check the requirements with their embassy.

To do the ESTA online, go to the link below and have your passport and travel details to hand.   Only use this link as this is the US government site.   https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov

Insurance

For details of insurance for our travel packages, please visit our insurance page.
GALLERY
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ASK A QUESTION

Previous Question

Q. Do I need a qulifying time to book with Sports Tours International?

A.
No, Sports Tours International entries are guaranteed and you do not need to have qualified.

Q. I am a single traveler, is this event for me?

A.
Yes, absolutely. We offer a twin share room option, plus our reps are on hand to assist you and introduce you to other single runners. We also hold a welcome meeting/race briefing where you can meet other runners.

Q. Can I bring family and friends on the trip?

A.
Yes, we welcome spectators. Our reps will escort any non runners to a suitable viewing point to watch the marathon.

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