A 5 km heart starting at Hopkinton Town Common, drawn on real streets. Free preview; the GPX is €7.99 once. Or start from your hotel's door, €14
The Perfect Shakeout Run for 🇺🇸 Boston Marathon
Boston, USA · Apr 19, 2027
A shakeout run is a short, easy jog the day before your marathon designed to loosen your legs, settle your nerves, and keep your body in rhythm after days of tapering. Coaches set it at 20 to 30 minutes of easy running, measured in time rather than distance — enough to stay loose without spending the glycogen you need on race day. Adding a heart-shaped GPS art element to your shakeout run transforms a routine pre-race jog into a memorable experience worth sharing.
For the Boston Marathon on Apr 19, 2027 in Boston, preview a heart-shaped route on local streets with CityHeart. Check the starting point, distance and local access before choosing your route. The route appears as a clear heart on Strava, Garmin Connect, and other GPS apps — perfect for sharing with friends, family, and your running community before the big day.
Draw a 5 km heart at the start line (Hopkinton Town Common) and preview it for free; the GPX is €7.99 once, with no subscription. From your hotel's door: €14. Import the GPX into a compatible navigation app; Apple Watch requires an app such as WorkOutDoors. Inspect the route before setting off.
Why run a heart shakeout?
- Stay loose — 20 to 30 minutes of easy running keeps the legs fresh for race day
- Explore the city — Discover Boston on foot before the marathon
- Share on Strava — Your heart shape will earn instant kudos
- Calm race nerves — A familiar ritual helps you feel ready
- Create a memory — A heart-shaped GPS art run you'll never forget
Group shakeout runs in Boston
Publicly announced and open to all paces. Check the host's page before you show up, times move.
- Boston Road Runners Shakeout
Hosted by Boston Road Runners × B.A.A. × DICK’S House of Sport
Saturday, April 18 · 8:15 AM · DICK’S House of Sport, 760 Boylston Street, Boston
Easy 5K, all paces (meet-up from 7:45 AM)
Host's listing - Zappos Boston Marathon Shakeout Run
Hosted by Zappos × Gansett Run Club
Sunday, April 19 · 9:00 AM · The carousel on the Rose Kennedy Greenway, 191 Atlantic Ave, Boston
Free community shakeout
Host's listing
Can't make it, or want your own route? Draw a 5 km heart at the start line and run it whenever suits you: free preview, GPX €7.99.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a shakeout run before the Boston Marathon?
A shakeout run is a short, easy jog the day before your marathon to loosen up your legs and calm your nerves. Running a heart-shaped shakeout in Boston adds a fun, creative element to your pre-race routine — and gives you something special to share on Strava before race day.
How long is the heart-shaped shakeout route in Boston?
You choose the distance. Coaches set a shakeout at 20 to 30 minutes of easy running, which is roughly 3.6 to 5.5 km for a sub-3:00 runner and 2.4 to 3.5 km for a five-hour runner, so pick the length that matches your goal time rather than a fixed number. The route follows real streets in Boston and draws a clear heart on your GPS tracker.
Which devices are compatible with the GPX file?
Import the GPX into a compatible navigation app. Apple Watch requires an app such as WorkOutDoors. Navigation features depend on your watch and app; check compatibility before buying.
When should I run my shakeout in Boston?
Most runners do their shakeout run the morning or afternoon before race day. For the Boston Marathon on Apr 19, 2027, plan your heart run for the day before. Start near your hotel, follow the GPX route, and finish with a photo of your heart on Strava.