The Marathon Munchies: How To Get Through the Boston Marathon

With the Boston Marathon just around the corner, Title Town prepares to welcome over 500,000 spectators and around 30,000 competing athletes. Patriots’ Day is one of the city’s biggest days of the year, and rain or shine (but hopefully shine, because this winter has been brutal), Boston will be electrified with energy and the sound of sneakers hitting concrete.

Whether you’re a competing runner, a spectating supporter, or a furry friend, the Marathon can be grueling: long hours of standing, fighting it out for the best spot… then moving on to another one, unpredictable weather, nonstop cheering, and the inevitable thirst and hunger that comes with it. The good news: that final challenge can easily be solved by some of my favorite local Boston businesses

From fueling up before the race to recharging after mile 26.2, Boston’s homegrown brands will be there to support you through it all. Whether it’s a caffeine boost from a local coffee shop, electrolyte packs, or a hearty post-race recovery meal, these Food and Beverage (F&B) brands are ready to keep Boston Strong. Here’s my personal guide to get you through this year’s Marathon Monday!

Boston, Wake Up!

The first pitstop of your morning should be Tatte Bakery & Café. Tatte is a classic Boston fast-casual bakery and coffee shop that serves baked goods, breakfast and lunch dishes, and a variety of specialty coffees to power you through a long day. I’d recommend ordering a Ginger Date Oatmilk Latte for a delicious dairy-free alternative that tastes just as good as it sounds!

Next stop: your cup of joe. It’s time to get a little something to tide you over until your next bite. The obvious quick breakfast destination for a spectator is Blackbird Doughnuts, an artisanal doughnut shop that makes seasonal and classic doughnuts, all from scratch. You ought to try the unreal Cinnamon Sugar Braid from their April menu and (it goes without saying) the Boston Cream from their selection of classics.

Don’t Run Out of Fuel, Fill up the Tank

Now that you’re satisfied and caffeinated for the time being, staying hydrated is key as you have a long day ahead. IQBar’s sugar-free and low-carb electrolyte Mix (IQ Mix) is designed to help you rehydrate and lock in. This on-the-go packet will ensure that you won’t miss your partner crushing it at the 13-mile mark. Running late and didn’t have time for Tatte or Blackbird? No worries, they also sell instant coffee (IQ Joe) and mouth-watering protein bars.

After that donut and some sweet drinks, you’re probably going to be craving something savory. The only real solution is to pack your own Grillo’s Pickles. Not only is the packaging aesthetically pleasing, but these jars contain the best pickles you’ll have to date. And for my spicy pickle lovers, they have Hot, Blazing Hot, and Pickle De Gallo flavors to light your mouth on fire.

You might still have some Unreal Snacks left over from your Family Easter Party, so you need to put those in the lunchbox too. If you want to be ready to silence the little ones’ pleas for some chocolate or curb your sweet treat craving, grab some of these chocolate bites and bars that are made with less sugar and real ingredients. They will give your kids (and you) the same amount of joy as a typical chocolate candy without the added ingredients.

All this said, If I’m highlighting Boston-based snacks, there’s no way I can overlook the classic Welch’s Fruit Snacks. The #1 Fruit Snack brand worldwide offers not only nostalgia, but also vitamins, flavor, and real fruit! After 20 years of making your favorite fruit snacks, Welch’s also added Zero Sugar options to their portfolio in Mixed Fruit, Berries ‘n Cherries, and Island Fruits flavors, so no need to feel guilty enjoying this childhood classic.

Let’s Grub.

Enough with the snacks, the race is over! Everyone is hungry, so you need to grab The Double Decker Wahlburger and the Spicy Cheese & Bacon Tots from Wahlburgers. This local chain is founded by Boston-bred Mark Wahlberg and his two brothers, where they’ve curated family recipes to produce a unique fast-casual burger experience.

But Wahlburgers might not be the best option for everyone. No worries, for my plant-based friends, I have to say, your best bet is to hit Life Alive Cafe. It’s Boston’s best vegetarian restaurant chain that offers bright ambiance and innovative plant-based dishes. If you’re looking for refreshing, light, and tasty dishes, I’d recommend ordering the PB&J Acai bowl or the Spicy Peanut Noodles. These are my Life Alive go-to’s and will be yours starting Tuesday, April 22nd.

Ending with a Cold One.

And finally, how do I recommend you wrap up the Marathon? The only answer that came to my mind: a cold can of Downeast Cider. This tasty beverage is made in an East Boston cider house and comes in flavors like Cranberry, Pomegranate, or just a classic Cider! Are you a supportive mother watching her first-born cross the finish line? Are you a runner who just sacrificed a year of their life to run approximately 4.5 hours? Are you too cool, too tired, and too anti-running to go to the Marathon in the first place? No matter your stance, the correct answer is Downeast Cider.

Although I might crack a can of Downeast, if you need to be ready for the commute to work on Tuesday, you may prefer to stick to a Spindrift Sparkling Water. There’s nothing more refreshing than a Fuji Apple Spindrift after a long day of standing in the sun (or rain, we are in Boston after all). They also just expanded into the better-for-you soda category dropping flavors like Strawberry Shortcake, Ginger Ale, and Shirley Temple, so if you want a crisp soda instead, think about hitting their shelves.

You don’t need to be a runner to get involved in Marathon Monday. Grab a Blackbird doughnut, raise a Downeast, and let’s have a safe and fun Patriots’ Day in the City of Champions! #BostonStrong

If your company operates within the F&B sector and you're looking to expand your finance and operations team, feel free to reach out to Audrey ([email protected]) for professional assistance