By Annie Jonas and Maya Shavit
April 21, 2025 | 7:26 PM
There’s something electric about Boston on Marathon Monday. From the roar of the crowds to the sea of signs and high-fives, runners said the energy of the city was unmatched.
“Everyone was talking to me about Heartbreak Hill, but I didn’t find it hard because people [were] always cheering.” said Marylene Lopes from Avidos, Portugal. “[M]ile one until the end it was just amazing.”
Many runners pointed to the famous stretch of the course through Wellesley College, where students line the course with encouragement and poster-board proposals. Others mentioned the emotional support from total strangers offering water, snacks, and words of encouragement.
“You got into the section and it was so loud and all the ladies were cheering. Runners were stopping left and right kissing people, and I was like ‘What is going on’, because I didn’t really know all of the traditions,” said Matthew Rogers from Tulsa, Oklahoma. “I’m super excited, and I finished so that’s the biggest thing.”
Beyond the crowd support, many highlighted the camaraderie among fellow runners as a highlight. “The people around and even the runners were even like ‘come on, you can do it’…and I have been training for this.” said Paola Martinez Gil from Caracas, Venezuela. “It was a battle in my mind, but I made it.”
Read on to learn what parts of the course 2025 Boston Marathoners loved the most.
Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Khalil Griffin ran the 2025 Boston Marathon. – Annie Jonas
“The finish line, obviously. But no, it was the community.” – Khalil Griffin, Warsaw, Poland
“The crowd. Everyone was talking to me about Heartbreak Hill, but I didn’t find it hard because people [were] always cheering.” – Marylene Lopes, Avidos, Portugal
Adam Elyounssi ran the 2025 Boston Marathon. – Maya Shavit
“Mile 4 my mom gave me Moroccan tea. I needed the caffeine and that’s what I like.” – Adam Elyounssi, Arlington, Massachusetts
“The crowds. Definitely the crowds.” – Megan Hansen, Middletown, Virginia
Jason Fowler and his family after Jason ran the 2025 Boston Marathon. – Maya Shavit
“The energy was perfect. The finish line is always crazy, but there were people everywhere just screaming.” – Jason Fowler, South Boston
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