I got to do the 2016 Boston Marathon with one of my running mentors. It was a special day for many reasons. Boston celebrates the elites and non-elites the same way. I see it as the super bowl of our sport only we get to be IN it and participate too! It is truly worth all of the hard work and when someone qualifies, I always encourage them to go. We had perfect weather in 2016. But even if the weather was not perfect (which is often the case)...it's BOSTON and you're there.
We prefer to fly in on Saturday and fly out on Tuesday. Plenty of time to enjoy the city, expo (at the 2016 expo, my husband and I met Dean Karnaze and Scott Jurek) race and not rush. Stay in Boston. You'll be glad you did. Their subway system is easy to navigate.
I'm telling you, Boston embraces runners like no other city.