The provided source material details a range of complimentary offers, discounts, and special events available to participants in the Boston and New York City marathons. These promotions are typically available to runners who present their race bib or finisher medal. The offers span categories including food and beverage, wellness services, retail discounts, and experiential events. It is important to note that all information is specific to the 2025 editions of these marathons and is contingent on runners providing proof of participation.
Boston Marathon Freebies and Discounts
The Boston Marathon, held in April, offers a variety of promotions for runners during marathon weekend. These offers are distributed by local businesses and national brands in the Boston area.
Food and Beverage Offers
Several eateries provide complimentary food and drink to marathon participants. Legal Sea Foods offers a complimentary cup of clam chowder at all Boston locations during marathon weekend; runners simply need to show their bib to claim it. For a post-race treat, Monument Restaurant & Tavern in Charlestown provides free garlic knots for finishers on Marathon Monday. In Dorchester, Scobie’s cafe offers a free Top Shelf Cookie Sundae from April 21 to 27.
For runners seeking a more substantial meal, South Street Diner offers all-you-can-eat pancakes for $10 on the day before the marathon (April 20). Similarly, Para Maria provides an all-you-can-eat Orzo Paella for $40 during marathon weekend. Tuscan Kitchen offers runners free Bolognese when they present their bib or medal on April 18, 19, and 21, though this excludes Easter Sunday (April 20). Levain Bakery gives a free cookie to runners at its Seaport and Back Bay locations on April 21.
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream has a two-part offer: runners can try the Finish Line Fudge Sundae from April 14–21, and those who bring their bib or medal will receive one free scoop of ice cream between April 21–25. High Street Place Food Hall provides a $10 discount on food and drinks on Marathon Monday (April 21); runners can pick up a gift card at Wheelhouse inside the food hall by presenting their bib or medal.
Wellness and Recovery
Several businesses focus on post-race recovery. Release Well-Being Center offers Boston Marathoners a free CBD spot treatment enhancement with the purchase of a Deep Tissue massage. This also includes extended access to Bliss facilities (contrast therapy, saunas, etc.) for up to two hours. The offer is valid from April 21 to 25 at 28 Arlington Street.
Retail and Service Discounts
Retailers offer discounts to runners. Studs provides 20% off piercing services and fashion earrings from April 18–20 at its Back Bay, Seaport, Chestnut Hill, and Harvard Square locations. Customers must present their Boston Marathon bib at checkout; the discount applies pre-tax, excludes piercing earrings, and cannot be combined with other offers.
Blu Dot offers runners a free pair of special edition socks, complimentary coffee or tea, and 20% off any item from April 15–27. Little Words Project offers 15% off in-store purchases at its Seaport location during marathon weekend. Brave Daughters offers a free gold-fill or stainless steel cable bracelet with the purchase of a BOS charm from April 19–21.
New York City Marathon Freebies and Discounts
The New York City Marathon, held in November, features a diverse array of promotions, many of which are available at the race expo and through brand partnerships. Offers are generally valid for runners showing their bib or finisher medal.
Food and Beverage Offers
Numerous New York establishments provide free food and drink to marathon participants. Van Leeuwen Ice Cream offers a free scoop with a bib or medal at any location on November 2–3. Gray’s Papaya provides a free Recession Special (two hot dogs and a drink) at its 2090 Broadway location on November 2. Breads Bakery gives a free baguette to runners who show their medal on November 2 at any location.
Westville offers a free entree and drink to runners who show their medal on November 2 at any location. Culture Espresso provides a free chocolate chip cookie on November 2 or 3. Bondi Sushi offers a free BLISS BOX to runners with a medal (one per person) from November 2–9.
For drinks, Rosa Mexicano offers a free frozen margarita on November 2. Threes Brewing (Gowanus and Greenpoint) and O Toole’s Way each offer a free pint to marathon finishers on November 2. Smoothie King offers a free Loaded Toast to participants who bring their medal into any location on Medal Monday (November 3).
Retail Discounts and Services
The Vitamin Shoppe offers any 2025 NYC Marathon finisher a free protein bar of their choice when they bring their medal into any Manhattan or Brooklyn location from November 2–5. Paragon Sports offers free race shirt customization (bringing your own or purchasing one) from October 25 to November 1, and medal engraving on November 2–3.
Housing Works Cannabis Co. offers a 15% discount on in-store purchases with a bib or medal on November 2.
Experiential and Wellness Events
Several brands host multi-day events and pop-ups. The NYC Marathon Expo at the Javits Center (October 30–November 1) is the central hub for bib pick-up and samples. Runners who show their bib at the Shokz Expo booth can get a PopUp Bagels coupon for three bagels and one schmear.
Shopify x Endorphins hosts a pop-up from October 31 to November 3, offering shakeout runs, free medal engravings, and portraits at 131 Greene St. New Balance Run House (October 31–November 1) provides a runner’s lounge, cafe, and hair station at 214 Lafayette St. Harlem Run House (November 1–3) offers shakeout runs, cheer stations, after parties, and medal engraving at 246 Malcolm X Blvd.
Samsung x Soft Bar hosts a free recovery event on November 3 from 4–6 pm in Brooklyn, featuring wellness experiences and free electrolyte mocktails. Marathon finishers showing their medals can enter an exclusive giveaway. Runna offers free shakeout runs, a pop-up shop, a recovery breakfast, and post-race portraits.
Other Partnerships and Offers
Several brands offer financial incentives or discounts. Citizens Bank customers using a personal Citizens Mastercard to pay at the MTA subway turnstile or on the bus during marathon weekend (Nov. 1–3) will receive a rebate for their first ride. Mastercard offers new Lyft app users with an eligible World or World Elite Mastercard $10 off per ride on their first two rides.
CookUnity offers 50% off the first week of sports dietitian- and chef-curated ready-to-eat meals and 20% off the next three weeks with promo code MARATHONMEALS.
Important Considerations for UK Consumers
While this article details offers for specific US marathons, UK-based consumers should note that these promotions are geographically restricted to Boston and New York City and are tied to specific marathon dates in 2025. The information is provided for illustrative purposes on the types of freebies and discounts available at major running events. For UK-based marathons, similar local promotions may exist, but they would be advertised by individual businesses and brands within the UK market. Always check the official event website and local business listings for any offers applicable to UK races.
Conclusion
The provided source material outlines a significant number of promotional offers for participants in the 2025 Boston and New York City marathons. These range from complimentary food and drink at local restaurants to retail discounts, wellness treatments, and experiential events hosted by major brands. Access to these offers is uniformly dependent on runners presenting their official race bib or finisher medal. The offers are time-sensitive, with specific validity periods aligned with the marathon weekend schedules. While the data is specific to these US events, it demonstrates a common strategy used by local businesses and national brands to engage with and reward participants of major sporting events.