Race Day at Boston Marathon: Post-Race Partying

You came, you saw, you conquered the 113th Boston Marathon. With the race either over or near over, it's time to don those medals and do some celebrating among the masses in Beantown.

OK so some may be doing some partying on the way to the airport or at the airport, scurrying to hop on tonight's flight, but for others, what are you doing in downtown Boston this afternoon. You might have the post-race hobbles (or maybe that's just me) but are there any spots you like to go afterward? And the shower doesn't count. After any race, one of the first things on my mind is food. I'm starving and I'm in desperate need of anything that's not a banana, bagel or Gatorade. At least when I'm at home in Chicago, I have my list of favorites to choose from as I walk home from the finish line--and it's usually the ice cream sundae at Weber Grill that calls my name. When I was in Sacramento, it was the closest restaurant to the hotel. And last year in Boston since I didn't have to run off to the airport, I was needing some seafood--I realize that sounds a little odd but I really wanted to go to the Union Oyster House and get my fill of clam chowder and fresh lobster. So with that being said where are some other favorites?

Or if you're looking for something to do to celebrate, here's a fun one I wish I could be at this afternoon: the Niketown Finisher Celebration. Thanks to Paul at runboston09.com for posting the news about this party which runs from 1-6 p.m. today and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. tomorrow. But if you really want to make an appearance, head over at 4 p.m. today and you can catch Kara Goucher and hear about her race rundown and enjoy her favorite recovery foods. Other things to do at the store include personalizing a finisher's tee with NIKEiD, getting a massage, sipping a smoothie and grabbing a commemorative race poster to take home. Plus you can swap stories with other runners, just look for medals around their necks.

There's another party for all the finishers at Fanueil Hall Marketplace courtesy of the Boston Marathon that runs from 5 p.m.-12:30 a.m. You could easily check out Niketown and then skedaddle over to the official hoedown complete with dining deals and a dance party (and transportation to and from neighboring hotels). Marathon fever doesn't quit without a party to send it off. These guys sure know how to relax after a race, chilling in the yard with some beers on a warm spring day, photo grabbed from john hayato at flickr. Posted by Kate