Rory Linkletter’s Last Big Workout Before Boston: What the 3×5-Mile Marathon-Pace Session Reveals About His Podium Chances

Table of Contents

1. Key Highlights:
2. Introduction
3. The workout: structure, intent, and what it trains
4. Reading the splits: what the numbers tell us
5. Simulating Boston: why surges and downhill volume matter
6. Support crew, pacing on the bike, and marginal gains
7. The art of the late-stage workout: timing and taper considerations
8. Race strategy: thirds, Heartbreak Hill and the plan to “race more”
9. Comparing current form: times, recent performances and what they mean
10. The broader Canadian picture and what a podium would mean
11. How the workout maps onto performance physiology
12. Practical lessons for coaches and serious marathoners
13. Risks and uncertainties: what could still go wrong
14. Photo finish: evidence of readiness in training and racing
15. Tactical scenarios: how different race shapes could play out
16. The human element: confidence, ritual and racing temperament
17. What to watch on race day
18. Final assessment: a contender with calculated preparation
19. FAQ

Key Highlights:

• Rory Linkletter completed a demanding 3×5-mile marathon-pace workout with one-mile float recoveries, signaling both fitness and deliberate preparation for Boston’s unpredictable pacing and downhill challenges.
• The structure of the session—standalone “push miles,” pacing support from bike pacer Connor Ross, and significant weekly volume—targets the specific stresses of Boston: early downhill eccentric load, mid-race surges and the Newton hills, and late-race “survival.”
• Linkletter’s recent results (2:06:49 PB in Chicago, 59:49 Canadian half-marathon record) combined with this finish-strong workout suggest he arrives at Boston in peak shape and with a strategy designed to extend his ability to “race” rather than merely survive past Heartbreak Hill.

Introduction

Three days before the 130th Boston Marathon, a workout video posted by TRACK All-Access captured what elite marathon preparation looks like when the objective is not merely to survive the course but to contend. Rory Linkletter, Canada’s second-fastest marathoner and the national half-marathon record holder, completed three five-mile efforts at marathon pace, each punctuated by a pre-planned “push mile,” with one mile of float recovery between sets. The session lasted 17 miles of quality running, plus warmup and cooldown—an uncompromising final rehearsal for a course that rewards durability, tactical acumen and the ability to absorb surges.

Linkletter is not entering Boston on reputation alone. He ran 2:06:49 at Chicago to set his marathon personal best and lowered the Canadian half record to 59:49 in Houston. He finished sixth at Boston in 2025 in 2:07:02. The workout’s specifics, pacing decisions and coaching cues all point to a clear aim: to push deeper through Newton and Heartbreak Hill and to be part of the decisive group when the race is made.

The following analysis dissects that workout, places it within the broader demands of the Boston course, and explains what it reveals about Linkletter’s readiness and likely strategy on race day. It also draws practical lessons for coaches and serious marathoners about structuring late-stage race-specific sessions.

The workout: structure, intent, and what it trains

On paper the workout looks simple: three sets of five miles at marathon pace, with a one-mile float recovery between sets. The details make it severe.

• Total quality mileage: 15 miles at marathon pace within a 17-mile block.
• Recovery strategy: one mile of “float” recovery instead of an active jog at a prescribed easy pace, allowing the athlete to reset rhythm and simulate race variability.
• Built-in surges: each five-mile set contained a designated “push mile” meant to mimic a race surge.

Why this structure? Marathon pace intervals train both the physiological systems required to maintain threshold effort over extended durations and the neuromuscular systems needed for pacing precision. The addition of intentional surges trains the ability to handle non-uniform race pacing—an essential adaptation for Boston, where the wide, uncontrolled field and tactical moves produce repeated accelerations. The float recovery allows for some restoration without blunting the session’s cumulative fatigue, replicating the patchwork nature of marathon efforts where steady running alternates with accelerations and short lulls.

Rory’s coach, Jonathan Green, confirmed this is a session used periodically but with a new arrangement for this build. The bike pacer, Connor Ross—Linkletter’s former BYU teammate—blocked wind, delivered fluids and kept the target splits honest. The presence of a bike pacer transforms the workout into a controlled simulation: consistent pacing, aerodynamic relief and on-demand fueling reduce extraneous variables so the athlete can focus purely on running mechanics and pace execution.

The psychological load of such a workout is non-trivial. Linkletter admitted to being “very nervous—more than I would be for a race,” and even planned his race-gear aesthetic down to the shoes, singlet and sunglasses for the session. That combination of adrenaline, precision focus and tactical simulation is precisely what coaches want in a final big session heading into a major marathon.

Reading the splits: what the numbers tell us

The published splits are granular and revealing. They show pacing steadiness with targeted spikes, an approach designed to develop speed endurance and race-readiness under fatigue.

Linkletter’s splits by set:

• First set: 4:47 / 4:47 / 4:36 (push mile) / 4:52 / 4:50 — Rest mile: 5:11
• Second set: 4:49 / 4:40 (push mile) / 4:52 / 4:52 / 4:51 — Rest mile: 5:22
• Third set: 4:54 / 4:55 / 4:52 / 4:58 / 4:38 (push mile)

Interpreting those paces:

• Primary pace range: roughly 4:47–4:55 per mile, which converts to approximately 2:57–3:00 per kilometer.
• Push miles: 4:36, 4:40 and 4:38 per mile—each a meaningful pickup relative to the surrounding pace and evidence of preserved finishing speed.
• Recovery miles at ~5:11 and 5:22 show controlled but honest recuperation; these are not sprint jogs but true float miles.

Projected marathon implications:

• A steady 4:45 per mile pace across 26.2 miles corresponds to about 2:04:31 for the marathon.
• A steady 4:50 per mile pace corresponds to about 2:06:40. Linkletter’s interval pace window of 4:45–4:50 per mile places him squarely in a range commensurate with a 2:04–2:07 marathon, provided that he can sustain the pacing under race dynamics and course stress.

The spread in his intervals—some miles dipped into the mid-4:30s—signals not merely speed but the capacity to produce surges late in extended efforts. The final set’s last-mile 4:38 is particularly instructive: after nearly 14 miles of quality running, he still produced a strong push. That finishing strength is a predictor of how he might respond when the race escalates near Newton and Heartbreak Hill.

Simulating Boston: why surges and downhill volume matter

Boston’s course is distinctive. It begins with rolling downhill terrain for the first 25 kilometers, followed by a sequence of Newton hills (including the notorious Heartbreak Hill) that reshape the race. The downhill opening encourages fast early splits but imposes eccentric stress on the quadriceps—muscle damage that compromises late-race strength.

Linkletter’s coach emphasized a training response to that profile: accumulate volume to “callus your legs.” High weekly volume develops aerobic capacity and conditions tissues—tendons, fascia and muscle fibers—to better resist the microtrauma associated with downhill running. The 3×5-mile MP session contributes to that callusing by mixing sustained tempo miles with accelerations that replicate the course’s surges and transient pacing changes.

The push miles simulate tactical moves from competitors or the necessity to respond to a sudden change in pace on the road. Training with such spikes conditions the body to minimize the metabolic cost of surges and to recover sufficiently to maintain race pace after each one. The one-mile float recoveries performed in the workout mimic race realities: you respond to a move and then settle back into rhythm without dropping to an easy jog, preserving momentum and economy.

Downhill-specific preparation goes beyond mileage. Coaches often prescribe downhill repeats at controlled intensities to train the eccentric work capacity of the quads, and to teach athletes how to maintain running form when gravity pulls them forward. Linkletter’s observation that “the downhill forces you to run faster paces and beats up your legs” is a succinct description of why Boston demands both speed and resilience. The later Newton hills do not feel like isolated climbs; they arrive after a period of mechanical stress that has already altered the runner’s gait and economy.

Real-world precedent reinforces the logic. Races with significant early descent followed by late climbs tend to reward runners who either control the pace early to minimize eccentric damage, or those prepared to absorb initial speed and still produce durable late-race running. Elite race plans vary—some teams elect to be conservative early to bank leg strength; others gamble on a controlled fast opening and trust to preparation to hold form later. Linkletter’s training indicates a balanced approach: simulate surges while letting the legs experience extended tempo stresses.

Support crew, pacing on the bike, and marginal gains

Small operational details matter at the elite level. Connor Ross riding a bike to pace, block wind and hand off fluids is more than a convenience; it’s a performance multiplier. Bike pacing provides:

• Aerodynamic shelter during a training rehearsal, enabling more precise pacing.
• Immediate, consistent fueling through a hands-free handoff, minimizing the disruptions that come with grabbing a gel while running.
• An on-course timekeeper to enforce target splits without the athlete needing to check watches mid-effort.

Many elite groups use similar supports during key sessions. In race settings, athletes rarely get such constant external pacing, but replicating the aerodynamic and fueling conditions of optimal racing prepares the athlete to execute when those variables are less controlled. The difference between a well-executed feed at mile 18 and a lost rhythm because of a missed gel can be the margin between a podium place and fading to the back of a lead pack.

Gear and routine also play a subtle role. Linkletter’s admission that he plans his shoes, singlet, socks and sunglasses to match for an important workout sounds lighthearted but reflects a deeper psychology: ritual reduces decision fatigue and promotes a calm competitive mindset. When everything about the session feels deliberate, the athlete’s mental bandwidth is available for performance rather than trivial choices.

The art of the late-stage workout: timing and taper considerations

Linkletter performed this workout on the Thursday before Monday’s Boston Marathon. That timing—four days before the race—reflects an elite approach that tolerates a short, sharp rehearsal late in the taper window. Why might an athlete elect to do a substantial session just days before a marathon?

• Confidence and neuromuscular priming: A well-executed, race-specific workout builds confidence and reminds the body how to run at goal effort with fresh legs. For elites accustomed to high volume, a final hard session can sharpen rhythm without compromising recovery when properly managed.
• Psychological readiness: Completing a tough workout close to race day can reduce anxiety and provide an honest appraisal of fitness.
• Individual variation: Some athletes respond better to earlier tapering; others maintain form with a late hard session followed by an immediate recovery block.

Taper strategy hinges on the individual athlete’s history of performance. While many recreational marathoners benefit from a two- to three-week taper with reduced intensity, elite runners often preserve intensity in the final week while cutting volume. Linkletter’s session was long and intense, but incorporated float recoveries and a controlled pacing structure that allowed subsequent days to focus on recovery, mobility work and mental preparation.

Coaches who schedule late workouts emphasize the recovery plan afterward: prioritized sleep, targeted nutrition focused on glycogen restoration, massage or soft-tissue therapy for muscle soreness, and reduced stimulus runs that maintain neuromuscular readiness without adding fatigue. The mission post-session is clear: settle inflammation, maintain sharpness, and arrive at the start line confident and rested.

Race strategy: thirds, Heartbreak Hill and the plan to “race more”

Linkletter divides Boston into three phases: the pre-Newton section (early downhill and flats), the Newton hills including Heartbreak Hill, and the final “survival” phase where the race is decided on stamina and will. That mental model defines his approach.

His objective this year is straightforward: “spend more time racing and less time surviving.” Last year, he described entering a self-preservation mode around Heartbreak Hill when John Korir moved to win. The 2026 goal is to hang with the lead group longer—an extra 10–15 minutes of active racing could place him in contention on the climbs and into the final kilometers.

Tactical implications:

• Positioning through the first 25 km matters. Avoiding being boxed in during the approaches to Newton and exerting energy to recover lost ground after being badly positioned are common pitfalls. Linkletter’s MP surges in training prepare him to respond when the pace changes in the second quarter of the race.
• Conserved strength for Heartbreak Hill is a non-negotiable. Responding to mid-race accelerations while maintaining enough mechanical integrity to climb at speed is the result of both volume and specificity.
• Late-race speed reserves win places. The push miles in Linkletter’s workout suggest he expects to be able to accelerate even after prolonged effort—a tactic that can decide small margins in finishing positions.

Boston’s strategic complexities extend beyond the course itself. Crosswinds, the size of the lead pack, the presence or absence of pacemakers (Boston is not a paced course), and the race-day temperature all affect how the plan plays out. Linkletter’s training accounted for two of these variables directly: surges and downhill stress. The other elements remain contingent on race-day conditions.

Comparing current form: times, recent performances and what they mean

Linkletter’s recent results form a coherent narrative of steady progression:

• Half-marathon Canadian record: 59:49 (Houston), demonstrating raw speed and a sub-60 ability that projects well over the full marathon when combined with endurance.
• Marathon PB: 2:06:49 (Chicago), showing he has the marathon-specific fitness to compete at an elite level.
• Boston 2025: Sixth place in 2:07:02, a performance that established he can negotiate Boston’s tactical landscape.

Comparative context matters. The winning time in 2025 was John Korir’s 2:04:45. Linkletter’s training paces—sitting in a 4:45–4:50 per mile range—translate to a theoretical finishing time within the same competitive corridor if sustained. That does not guarantee a podium, but it provides a plausible case.

Another dimension is the translation of half-marathon speed to marathon performance. A sub-60 half indicates high aerobic and anaerobic capacity. When that speed is married to the endurance from high volume and marathon-specific training, the athlete becomes capable of not only maintaining pace but also producing decisive accelerations within the race.

Linkletter’s final workout indicates both speed and retention: he can still deliver low-4:30s miles after a long stress block. That blend of qualities—speed endurance, tactical readiness and accumulated volume for resilience—positions him to contend for the podium if the race plays out favorably.

The broader Canadian picture and what a podium would mean

As Canada’s second-fastest marathoner and holder of the national half-marathon record, Linkletter’s trajectory reflects the depth of North American distance running. Canadian distance running has produced breakthroughs across road and track events over recent years, and Linkletter’s presence in the top ten at major marathons reinforces that trend.

A podium at Boston would be a national milestone and a validation of the training model he and Coach Jonathan Green have pursued: sustained winter volume, targeted speed at key moments, and race-specific rehearsals designed to match course demands. On a personal level, a podium would mark a significant career breakthrough; on a national level, it would underscore Canada’s growing competitiveness at the marathon distance.

How the workout maps onto performance physiology

The 3×5-mile MP session trains multiple physiological systems:

• Aerobic threshold: Sustained five-mile efforts at marathon pace push the lactate threshold upward, improving the pace sustainable for long durations.
• Glycogen utilization and fat oxidation: Repeated sustained efforts condition energy systems to use glycogen efficiently and rely on fat oxidation between surges, postponing depletion.
• Neuromuscular endurance: Holding form across many repeated miles sharpens proprioception and running economy under fatigue.
• Eccentric stress adaptation: Although not purely downhill-focused, the session’s volume contributes to the general load necessary to prepare for Boston’s early descents that produce eccentric quadriceps strain.

Each push mile simulates a high-intensity burst. Training the ability to produce such a burst and then reconsolidate rhythm teaches the muscles, nervous system and cardiovascular system to handle repeated intensity without catastrophic metabolic overload.

From a recovery standpoint, performing such a workout four days out requires a meticulous post-session plan. The athlete must rapidly attenuate inflammatory responses, restore glycogen to sufficient levels for race day, and avoid residual neuromuscular fatigue. For elites, that typically means priority sleep, active recovery, light massage or soft-tissue work, and nutrient-dense meals focused on carbs and protein.

Practical lessons for coaches and serious marathoners

Serious runners and coaches can take concrete lessons from Linkletter’s approach, scaled appropriately:

• Use marathon-pace segments with intermittent surges to build speed endurance and prepare for race variability. For non-elite athletes, a scaled session might be 3×3 miles at goal marathon pace with 1½–2 minutes easy jog between sets, including a designated surge mile within each set.
• Replicate race scenarios: If the target race has significant downhill, include controlled downhill repeats to develop eccentric tolerance and teach mechanics for maintaining economy on descents.
• Plan a final rehearsal that is specific but not exhaustive: A late-week hard session can be effective for neuromuscular priming if followed by focused recovery. The timing should be individualized—some respond to a hard session four days out; others prefer a longer lead time.
• Use pacing aids thoughtfully: Bike pacers, tandem runs, or a wind-protected training route can help enforce exact speeds during critical rehearsals. On race day, practice efficient fueling and note how small time savings at feeds compound.
• Prioritize finishing strength: Include sets in training that require a push at the end of long sessions to train late-race kick capacity.

Apply these lessons conservatively: the physiology of elites differs from age-group runners, and what works at the top level must be adapted to capacity, injury history and training history.

Risks and uncertainties: what could still go wrong

Even with a perfect training block, marathons contain uncertainty. Factors that can blunt a strong preparation include:

• Weather: Boston’s variable climate—wind, temperature and precipitation—changes the calculus of pacing and positioning. Crosswinds on exposed sections can turn the race into a tactical chess match.
• Pack dynamics: Reactive surges from multiple competitors can create a race far removed from the ideal plan, forcing additional energy expenditure.
• Substrate failure: GI distress, mis-timed feeds or unexpected cramping can derail even the most prepared athlete.
• Accumulated fatigue or an unexpected niggle picked up in the days post-workout.

Linkletter’s pre-race narrative acknowledges these variables implicitly. He emphasizes hope rather than certainty: “I think I’m in PB shape,” he said, but he also recognizes that “we’ll see what that means on race day…we just take it as it comes.” That realism is a practical antidote to overconfidence.

Photo finish: evidence of readiness in training and racing

Visual evidence from the posted video and the published splits suggest Linkletter has both the physiological base and the tactical rehearsal to improve on last year’s Boston result. His half-marathon record and marathon PB provide a speed and endurance foundation; the 3×5 MP session with surges provides the race-specific adaptation to contest a podium.

What remains is the uncontrollable theater of Boston on race day: the way the field shapes, how the wind behaves, where surges happen and whether the lead group chooses to test legs early. If Linkletter navigates the pre-Newton section without losing position, survives the Newton hills with the core group and still possesses finishing speed, the podium finishes within plausible reach.

For Canadian fans and neutral observers, the workout is the clearest signal yet that Linkletter believes he belongs in the conversation at the front. His training, results and demeanor suggest he will not merely be measuring for time; he intends to race.

Tactical scenarios: how different race shapes could play out

Understanding possible race narratives helps anticipate what Linkletter’s training prepares him for most effectively.

Scenario 1 — Controlled, steady tempo to Newton

• The lead pack runs even splits through the first 25 km. Surges are limited and the race comes down to who has the most preserved speed on Heartbreak Hill and after.
• Advantage: Linkletter’s tempo endurance and finish-speed training could give him a decisive edge. His ability to produce push miles after accumulated tempo work suggests he could be aggressive in the closing stages.

Scenario 2 — Aggressive early pace with multiple surges

• Competitors push tempo early, trying to break the field on the downhill and early flats.
• Advantage: Linkletter has rehearsed surges; if his nutrition, positioning and tolerance for downhill stress hold, he has the tools to respond and conserve reserve for later.

Scenario 3 — Tactical, erratic surging with positioning battles (pack running)

• The race becomes a chess match, with short bursts to secure position and respond to moves.
• Advantage: Linkletter’s practiced response to surges and his ability to recover on float miles in training aligns with this shape. However, if constant accelerations are accompanied by crosswinds or positioning errors, the net metabolic cost could penalize anyone who expends too much energy.

Scenario 4 — Weather-impacted race (wind/heat)

• Heat or wind forces conservative or aggressive adjustments.
• Caveat: Volume callusing helps, but extreme weather reshapes expectations. Marathon outcomes are often decided by adaptability to conditions rather than fitness alone.

Linkletter’s training appears most suited to Scenarios 1 and 2, and provides coping strategies for Scenario 3. Scenario 4 remains the wild card that even the best-prepared athletes must manage on race day.

The human element: confidence, ritual and racing temperament

Athletic performance hinges as much on mental preparedness as on physiology. Linkletter’s comments about keeping training “fun and light,” and his attention to details—matching gear, caring who hands him water at a drill—speak to an athlete building a competitive ritual that reduces stress. That psychological economy matters late in a marathon.

Confidence is not mere bravado. It is the product of consistent training sessions, measurable progress and rehearsed strategies. Executing a difficult workout with a bike pacer, hitting push miles and recovering in prescribed windows calibrates trust between athlete and coach. The more rehearsed the scenario, the less cognitive load there is on race day, and the more energy is available for tactical decisions.

Linkletter’s candid admission of race-week nervousness—being "more nervous than I would be for a race"—reveals another elite truth: nervous energy is normal and can be channeled constructively. For a runner intent on converting training into a result, that energy is a resource when paired with routine, clear roles (coach, pacer, race plan), and trust in preparation.

What to watch on race day

Observers and enthusiasts should pay attention to three metrics that will indicate whether Linkletter’s preparation is translating into the desired race outcome:

1. Early Positioning: Where Linkletter sits relative to the lead pack through the first 15–20 km will reveal whether he conserved or burned energy. Good positioning without excessive exertion is the ideal.
2. Response to Mid-Race Moves: If the lead runners increase tempo approaching Newton, watch whether he answers decisively or is forced to chase repeatedly. The latter degrades energy reserves quickly.
3. Late-Race Kick: The presence of a strong, deep kick in the final 10 km or surges on and after Heartbreak Hill will be the clearest indicator that his training—particularly those push miles after fatigue—has paid off.

Photographers and broadcasters will also notice subtler signs: relaxed stride mechanics when others tighten up, consistent turnover rather than small shuffling steps, and the ability to accept short surges without collapsing.

Final assessment: a contender with calculated preparation

Linkletter’s 3×5-mile marathon-pace workout is not a gimmick; it is a calculated rehearsal for Boston’s specific demands. It marries sustained tempo miles with intentional surges, supported by a paced bike and meticulous recovery. Combined with a 2:06:49 marathon PB and a sub-60 half-marathon, the evidence points to an athlete in PB-capable shape who has deliberately rehearsed the scenarios most likely to decide Boston.

Whether that translates to a podium will depend on race-day variables beyond the control of training: weather, pack tactics and the physical responses of competitors. But the workout and the broader preparation provide a rational basis for optimism. Linkletter’s stated aim—to race longer and survive less—reflects a confident athlete with the physiological and tactical tools to make that intent real.

FAQ

Q: What exactly was Rory Linkletter’s workout, and why is it significant? A: The workout consisted of three sets of five miles at marathon pace, each set featuring a designated “push mile” to simulate a race surge, with one-mile float recoveries between sets. It totals 17 miles of structured work including recovery miles. The session’s significance lies in its specificity: it trains sustained marathon pace, repeated surges, and finishing strength—key attributes for Boston’s downhill start, mid-race tactical moves and the Newton hills.

Q: How do the paces in the workout translate to marathon potential? A: Linkletter’s pace window during the session was roughly 4:45–4:50 per mile, which translates to an expected marathon finishing range of approximately 2:04:30 to 2:06:40 if those paces are sustained. The presence of low-4:40s push miles indicates preserved speed endurance, supportive of a strong late-race finish.

Q: Why is Boston’s course so demanding, and how did Linkletter train for it? A: Boston’s early downhill section imposes eccentric stress on the quadriceps, causing microtrauma that affects late-race strength. The Newton hills, including Heartbreak Hill, follow after the downhill strain, making the race a test of durability and strength rather than pure speed. Linkletter’s preparation emphasized high volume to “callus” the legs, race-specific tempo runs with surges to prepare for tactical accelerations, and workouts that preserve finishing speed under fatigue.

Q: What role did the bike pacer play in the workout? A: The bike pacer provided wind blocking, precise pacing and on-course fueling via handoffs, allowing Linkletter to focus on running mechanics and pacing targets. This support helps simulate ideal race conditions and enhances the quality of a rehearsal run.

Q: Is it unusual to do a hard session four days before a marathon? A: Elite runners vary in taper strategy. Some perform a late, sharp rehearsal within the final week to prime neuromuscular systems and build confidence. This type of session is possible when followed by a disciplined recovery plan. It is generally not recommended for recreational runners to do very long, intense workouts in the last week before a marathon.

Q: What are the main risks that could prevent this training from resulting in a podium finish? A: Weather conditions (wind, heat), unexpected surges that force excessive energy expenditure, feeding or gastrointestinal problems, and acute injuries or niggles are the primary race-day risks. Tactical errors, like poor positioning into Newton, can also negate the best training.

Q: Does Linkletter’s half-marathon record indicate he can run a faster marathon? A: A sub-60 half-marathon indicates excellent speed and physiological capacity. Paired with high volume and marathon-specific training, this speed translates into marathon potential. The key is converting half-marathon speed into durable marathon pace through endurance training, fueling strategy and race tactics.

Q: How should non-elite runners apply lessons from this workout? A: Scale intensity and volume to match fitness and training history. Consider shorter sessions that replicate the concept—sustained segments at goal pace with a designated surge mile and active recovery—to develop speed endurance. Prioritize recovery and avoid very high-volume hard sessions close to race day.

Q: What would be realistic expectations for Linkletter at Boston based on this preparation? A: The workout and recent performances suggest a realistic chance to finish faster than his previous Boston race, and to contend for a podium if race dynamics and conditions are favorable. He has the physiological foundation and race-specific preparation to be competitive in the leading group.

Q: Where will the decisive moments likely be in Boston? A: The decisive moments will likely be around Newton and Heartbreak Hill, plus any surges that thin the lead group in the mid-race phase. Weather and pack tactics can shift the decisive point earlier or later in the race.