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Seeing Woody Run

The stuff below this box is from http://www.boston.com/marathon/course/transportation.htm . That web site may be  overwhelmed as we get nearer the race day so I've copied it below.  My comments are in red to separate it from outside info.. 

 I have checked the commuter rail service re getting to the start at Hopkinton.   It is possible to get there easy enough on commuter rail, the but it is not  possible to get back downtown for the finish so I think that option is out

I think the  best bet is to go for the "T" subway Green Line D Woodland station which is at about mile 17.  The Green Line T can be picked up at Boylston, Arlington or Hynes (Copley is closed race day),  but  we need to understand  how to get on the D trains among the other trains as these are the only ones that go to Woodland.   I think that all trains run on the common section of Green Line and the letter trains are announced as such. 

This picture from last year at that point indicates that the crowds are not too bad near Woodland Stn.   [ Click Pic for larger view ]. 

A one-day MBTA tourist pass is available for $7.50 and is good on the various T subways and on buses.

If we are hardy it might be nice to be able to be at some point near the end.  At Reservoir on the D line we can see Woody and then decide on switching to the C line which parallels the course and offer several off stations along Beacon Street and then moves onto the common Green Line at Kenmore.

After that we should head to the finish Friends & Families area [ back onto the T and off at Hynes  Station ] as it will be mobbed in that area and difficult to move around.  This picture is from  last year  in the Friends & Families area to give an idea of the scene.

The word also is that Boylston Street near the end is over crowded and should be avoided so we need to pick a point far enough back to avoid the mob.  The Arlington station is also reportedly overcrowded so the station before Copley (Hynes or Kenmore) or after (Boylston) may have to be used.

• MP 17 [1:57PM]: Newton Woodlands viewing point (map)

• At Reservoir we can decide whether to go on to the end, or switch to the C line Cleveland Circle station.  Both go to the end and C parallels the course.  D is faster as C has many more stations/stops.

• MP 22.4 [2:34PM]: Reservoir (D Line) & Cleveland Circle (C Line)

• MP 23.9 [2:44PM]: Coolridge Corner (C Line)

• Marathon Finish Section [3:00PM]