Once again I find myself reflecting on my weekend in the Hub. So I have taken out pen and paper to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each side. The runners get T-shirts, while media and volunteer folks get jackets. The T-shirts act as a badge of honor worn by those that made the trek from Hopkinton to Boston by foot. The jackets are very slick with the media ones coming in black.
Every runner receives a complimentary ticket to a pasta party the night before the race.
Two nights before the big event, media and other types are invited to a party hosted by Boston Mayor Tom Menino. At both sites the food is plentiful, the lines long. I am about to call it a tossup when I remember the Mayor's Reception has an open bar. With the fee that high, I was about to declare victory for the media in this category. Then, I took out a calculator and figured out my bar tab.