Boston Marathon

18 Apr 2011 to

The date for the 2011 Boston Marathon will be April 18th. At the moment, we are putting together our travel packages for the Boston Marathon in 2011, but in the meantime, you can pre-register your interest in the 2011 Boston Marathon by emailing us at running@sportstoursinternational.co.uk

Since marathon running became a mass participation sport, many great events have appeared on the scene with most major worldwide cities hosting their own marathon event.

The Boston Marathon is undoubtably the most famous of modern day marathons.

2011 will be Boston’s 115th year making it the oldest annual run in the world! By participating in this iconic event, you will be in the company of the world’s top marathon runners. With the Boston Marathon, it really is the taking part that matters for the vast majority, and to be part of it is something VERY SPECIAL! As one of the 5 World Marathon Majors, you need to run the marathon in Boston, if you want to achieve the goal of running in each of the marathon majors.

Boston as a city has so much to offer the British visitor as the history books tell us about the “Boston Tea Party”, “Paul Reveres Ride” and such like…..

IMPORTANT – YOU NO LONGER REQUIRE A QUALIFYING TIME TO RUN THE BOSTON MARATHON!

As an official travel partner of the Boston Marathon & BAA ( Boston Athletic Association ) Sports Tours International has GUARANTEED entries available for runners without qualifying times.

However if you have a QUALIFYING TIME (click to check specifications) you may enter as a QUALIFIED ENTRY , therefore entitling you to a lower race entry fee and a better start place towards the front of the group! Please ensure you let us know if you have a qualifying race time.

There is more information about the Boston marathon available on the official Boston marathon website

The Boston Marathon

This event is definitely up there with the Marathon to Athens course as being the most famous route from Hopkinton to Boston, and it has been around as long as the modern Olympics. The start of the Boston Marathon, in the quaint suburban town of Hopkinton with its white weather-board houses, is sharply down hill. It remains like that until around 16 miles when you hit the 3 tough climbs that culminate in Heart Break Hill! Surviving that it is more or less downhill to the finish of the Boston Marathon in the heart of Boston.

TRAVEL PACKAGE

Our travel package for the race is for four nights staying in a good hotel central to the finish of the marathon in Boston. The itinerary is

Friday 15th April: Depart London Heathrow to Boston Logan International Airport. You will be met at Logan International Airport by our Sports Tours Representative and transferred by private coach to the Holiday Inn, approximately 30-45 minutes away dependant on traffic.

Saturday 16th April/Sunday 17th April: Collect your race number and registration details from the EXPO at the Hynes Convention Centre, within walking distance of the hotel. Then explore Boston at your leisure, enjoying the fabulous shops, markets, bars and restaurants. Speak to our representative for advice on where to go and what to do to make the most of this amazing city!

Monday 18th April: Boston Marathon race day!Our Sports Tours Representative will accompany the group from the hotel on Monday morning to the official race bus departure point on Boston Common, just a short walk away from the hotel.

Tuesday 19th April: Morning free to finish off your sightseeing and shopping in Boston, then private coach transfer from the Holiday Inn on Tuesday afternoon to Logan International Airport for your flight home, departing on an overnight scheduled service with British Airways to London Heathrow, to arrive Weds morning.

Our full packages include scheduled return flights from the UK to Boston’s Logan airport, all Airline taxes, fees and charges, Airport to Hotel private coach transfers (on group flights as indicated), and hotel accommodation on a room only basis. Sports Tours International Representatives will also be based in the hotel and will be at the Airport to greet you upon arrival in Boston.

We return to the first class 4* Holiday Inn Select at Boston Government Centre, which is situated at the foot of Beacon Hill in downtown Boston, with its Georgian style houses and cobbled streets and only a short walk from the race finish and Boston Common, where the official buses leave to transport you to the start of the race in Hopkinton.

All rooms have bathrooms en suite, hair dryer, colour TV, internet access and air conditioning. The hotel has recently been refurbished to a very high standard and has an excellent restaurant and bar (Fosters Bar and Grille), as well as a 24hr fitness centre.

Twin / Double Room – £tba per person (based on 2 people sharing the room)
Single Room Supp – £tba per person
Extra night – £tba per person per night.

2011 Boston Marathon Entry Fee – £tba

INCLUDED:
Return scheduled flights
Hotel accommodation on a room only basis
Private airport transfers

NOT INCLUDED:
Race Entry Fee
Travel & Health Insurance
Transfers from the hotel to the official race bus departure point, and from the race finish back to the hotel (both a short walk)

HOW TO BOOK

At time of booking we require a non-refundable deposit of £200 per person, plus the full Race Entry Fee, which is non-returnable once booked. The balance of your travel package must be paid, at the latest, 12 weeks before departure to avoid the cancellation of your trip.

To book, please download our *booking form* and post, fax to +44 (0)161 703 8547 or email to us at running@sportstoursinternational.co.uk .

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

PASSPORTS – THIS IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.

Please note: we will require a copy of your passport along with your application form.

Please – don’t leave it to the last minute. The following information is for United Kingdom passport holders only, other nationals including Eire should consult the appropriate embassy.
UK residents are allowed to enter the USA with a ten year passport, with no less than 6 months left before the expiry of the passport, if staying in the US for less than 90 days. However, the rules are constantly updated, so we advise that you check your own individual situation as the visa waiver programme is subject to strict criteria, and for example, if you have a criminal record or have previously been refused entry to the US, you may not qualify for entry under the Visa Waiver programme. Please check your status with the rules.

Passengers are no longer permitted to enter the USA with a non-machine readable passport unless their old style passport has a valid Visa stamp. The newer red passports are machine readable. CHILDREN MUST HAVE THEIR OWN PASSPORT – If in doubt please contact the passport advice line on 0300 222 0000, or Passport Office Website or if applicable the American Embassy on 0207 499 9000 or the US Embassy Website

IMMIGRATION TO THE USA

There are now very strict guidelines on entry to the USA and a new system put in place whereby you must have registered with the Department of Homeland Security at least three days before you travel. More information can be found on the Department’s Official Website

INSURANCE

For details of insurance for the our travel packages, please visit our insurance page

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

There is additional information about our other Concierge Services on our special web page.

If you’re looking for something extra to do whilst you’re away or fancy an excursion, we have teams up with Keith Prowse to offer you a fantastic selection of events and activities.