You’ve crossed the finish line near Copley Square after a grueling 26.2-mile run, while hundreds of thousands of spectators watch. How are you deservedly celebrating?
Probably with plenty of water or loading up on carbohydrates lost to running up Heartbreak Hill.
Both of those would be a great idea, according to experts. You especially want foods with carbs, like pasta or a veggie burger.
But what about a beer? A celebratory post-marathon beer, for some runners anyway, is essential to the experience of finishing a run. It’s why you’ll sometimes find beer tents at the finish lines of races and triathlons.
Some running groups, like the Boston Hash House Harriers, build their trails around bars. “Not only does a cold beer taste fantastic after a run, it’s actually been scientifically proven to rehydrate just as well as water,” said runner Beeeezz, who asked to go by their trail name.
The study they’re referring to is one published by Frontiers in Nutrition that found low-alcoholic beer and non-alcoholic beer rehydrated people post-exercise comparably to water, though its researchers said more studying is needed. Another study from Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise found that the consumption of non-alcoholic beer after a marathon helped reduce post-race inflammation.
To be clear, most experts would say that having too many beers — especially those with an ABV of 5% or higher, which is most beer available — is not the best method of recovery post-run. And you should definitely have plenty of water and carbohydrates before downing a few pints, nutrition counselor Nancy Clark told Boston.com in 2018.
But when it’s time to celebrate after one of the world’s major marathons, enjoying a cold beer responsibly and perhaps choosing a lighter drink is the way to go.
Where can you find the perfect place for that post-race drink? Boston.com is curious to hear from former Boston Marathon participants who cooled off with a beer after the race, runners who have plans for this year, or Bostonians who have recommendations for our athletic visitors.
We’re interested in which bar you suggest, and what type of beer you’re ordering. These bars should be in the vicinity of the finish line – walkable or possibly a brief T ride away from Copley Square.
Assist us, and we’ll compile a guide for a beer bar-hopping tour on race day.
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