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Hi runners, 👋🏼

Katelyn here with newsletter #476!

It’s the week before Boston, and 30,000 runners are tapering, carb-loading, and obsessing over the weather forecast. Whether you’re lining up in Hopkinton, cheering from afar, or already plotting your 2026 BQ, we’ve got something for you.

Today’s newsletter is full of Boston energy—including a moving piece from a Boston legend, smart pre-race fueling tips, and everything you need to know if qualifying is on your radar.

📝 I’ve run 28 Boston Marathons—and even won once: Amby Burfoot’s most treasured Boston memento may surprise you.
🥣 What to eat before a marathon: The best pre-marathon fueling strategy for energy and performance.
📈 2026 Boston Marathon qualifying times: Find out the updated qualifying standards, how the cutoff works, and what you need to do now to secure your spot at the 2026 Boston Marathon.
🦄 Meet the guy who wears a Boston Marathon jacket at run club: Do you know this guy?
🚨 Unpaid volunteers say they were left to manage human waste at Arizona Monster 300:Volunteers describe sanitation chaos and unsafe race conditions at Destination Trail’s new 300-miler.

Happy running! 🏃🏻‍♀️⭐

Katelyn Tocci
Managing Editor
Head Coach

What’s A Good Marathon Time? Average Marathon Times By Age, Sex + Ability

🧣I’ve Run 28 Boston Marathons—And Even Won Once. My Most Treasured Boston Memento Might Surprise You

🏃‍♂️ After 60 years and 28 Boston Marathons, Amby Burfoot has earned more than his share of race-day swag—but his most treasured Boston keepsake might surprise you. 💙🏅

In this special feature, the 1968 Boston champ reflects on the memory that means more than medals.

BECOME INSPIRED

What’s A Good Marathon Time? Average Marathon Times By Age, Sex + Ability

🥣 What To Eat Before A Marathon: When, What, And How Much

🍽️ Wondering what to eat before your marathon? We’ve got you covered with expert-backed tips on timing, portion size, and exactly what to eat (and avoid) to fuel your best 26.2. 🥯💪

Don’t let your pre-race meal be the reason you hit the wall—or the porta-potty! 🚫🧻

LEARN MORE

📈 2026 Boston Marathon Qualifying Times And Cutoffs, Explained: How To Get In

🏅 Dreaming of Boston in 2026? Here's everything you need to know about the updated qualifying standards, how the cutoff works, and what it really takes to earn your spot on the start line in Hopkinton.

🦄🏃‍♀️ This guide breaks down the process so you can start planning your path to Boylston Street.

LEARN HOW

🦄 The Guy Who Wears A Boston Marathon Jacket At Run Club

🦄 Ever spot that guy at run club in a Boston Marathon jacket? You know the one.

In this lighthearted video, we meet the runner who wears his Boston pride loud and proud—every single week. 🏃‍♂️💛💙

WATCH NOW

🚨 Unpaid Volunteers Say They Were Left To Manage Human Waste At Arizona Monster 300

💩 What went wrong at the Arizona Monster 300?

Volunteers say they were left to manage human waste, broken gear, and aid stations without support. 🏜️🚨

In the latest chapter of this unfolding controversy, firsthand accounts reveal serious concerns about safety and race oversight at Destination Trail’s new 300-miler.

GET THE FULL STORY

What’s A Good Marathon Time? Average Marathon Times By Age, Sex + Ability

🎧 What is "Heart Rate Drift?" You Asked, We Answered: The Mailbag Episode

🎙️ This week’s podcast mailbag is bursting at the seams: We’re dishing out marathon training tips, debating super shoes for “slow” runners, solving the case of the spiking heart rate, and revealing what “speed goggles” actually are. Plus, the sunscreen mistake that’ll ruin your race and why Puma fans came for us.