Thursday Night Crossroads Pub Running Tradition- thanks Greg!

Us local runners might want to try to get together for a Thursday night run - I am game!


-Rebekah

From Greg:

One of the great marathon training traditions is the weekly Thursday night run from Crossroads Pub at 495 Beacon Street in Boston's Back Bay (intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Beacon Street). These runs are infinitely informal. No sign up, no rsvp, no mandatory course, no water stops. It's a lot of fun, and everyone is encouraged to come by. Some diehards "Do the Thursday" all year long.

Here's how it works. Meet at Crossroads after work. Change into your running clothes. Leave your stuff at the upstairs bar (be smart with your valuables, of course) and enjoy your run. Afterwards, return to Crossroads, change into dry clothes and have a beer or soft drink or two.

Important safety reminder: Wear reflective clothing because it will definitely be dark!

Crossroads Irish Pub is located on 495 Beacon Street on the corner of Beacon and Mass Ave.  You can also get there from the Greenline taking the Hynes Convention Center or Kenmore Square stops.

The Hills

Beginning in December, many people use Thursday night to run The Hills—the several hills that comprise Heartbreak Hill. To do so, take the T from the Hynes Convention center stop on Mass Ave. (Green Line D train, aka "Riverside") to Woodland stop and run back in on the course. You're basically picking up the course around mile 17, running the entire hill section and finishing at Crossroads. It's about a 9 mile run, providing valuable experience on the marathon's toughest section.

Timing for hill runners: Meet at Crossroads at 5:45 p.m., be ready to leave for the T at 5:50, and start the run in from Woodland around 6:30.

The course: from Woodland T parking lot, turn right and run Route 16 till you reach the Fire Station (approx 1/2 mile), take a right on Commonwealth Ave. (running the carriage road to your left), run to Cleveland Circle taking a right on Chestnut Hill Ave. and then a left on Beacon St., ending at Crossroads. It's about 5.5 miles to Cleveland Circle, and another 3.2 or so to Crossroads. If you're not sure about running the full distance, keep a T pass with you. After about 5 miles, you'll have numerous opportunities to hop on the Green Line.