Boston Marathon 2025 with California Zephyr

I completed the Boston Marathon this week. This was my first time running this legendary race, and also my very first trip to the East Coast. To make it even more memorable, I traveled from San Francisco to Boston by sleeper train, taking the scenic route on the California Zephyr and the Lake Shore Limited. Just sharing my experience for anyone—future Boston runners, past ones, sleeper train fans, or anyone who’s into both.

Sleeper Train Journey

The route crosses 12 states, traversing the entire American continent, through the untouched wild of the Midwest of America,  from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean. California - Nevada - Utah - Colorado - Nebraska - Iowa - Illinois - Indiana - Ohio - Pennsylvania - New York - Massachusetts.

San Francisco to Chicago (California Zephyr, Roomette) 

Departure: April 16, 8:40 AM

Arrival: April 18, 2:39 PM

Duration: 52 hours 

I boarded at Emeryville Station, the train’s departure point. I was one of the first passengers on board, and the very first to step into the observation car. This type of glass-ceiling car is very rare in Japan. I’m not even sure they exist there. Ever since I saw an observation car in the opening scene of Zootopia, I’ve wanted to ride one. It made me feel like Judy Hopps, stepping into an unfamiliar but exciting new world. Love it.

The California Zephyr

The Observation Car

Zootopia opening

Our train had 11 cars. From front to back, they were: 3 locomotives, 1 baggage car, 3 sleeper cars, 1 dining car, 1 observation car, and 2 coach cars. This was my roomette. A bit tiny, but not bad at all.

My Room

Scenery attraction

Soon after departure on Day 1, we passed by San Pablo Bay with a beautiful view of the sea.

San Pablo Bay

As we approached the Sierra Nevada range, we started to see snow.

Snowy view from the train

The train often stops in the mountains. It's very polite to freight trains and lets them pass. Sometimes it felt like we were waiting more than moving.

Waiting for a freight train to pass

Crossing Tahoe into Nevada, the landscape unfolded like a scene from a classic Western. I usually run and explore the fields and deep into the mountains, but just chilling with a drink and soaking in the view hits different. 

Just chilling with a view of classic Western fields

The best views on the California Zephyr come on Day 2, as you pass through the Rocky Mountains. We followed the Colorado River through beautiful canyons like Ruby Canyon and Gore Canyon. The railway runs alongside the river. The land is so hilly here that the only place to build the tracks was along the river, where the ground is almost flat.

Between Green River Station and Grand Junction Station, we go along the Colorado River, inside the Ruby Canyon. After that, Between Glenwood Springs Station and Granby Station, we also go along the Colorado River, inside the Gore Canyon. We can thoroughly enjoy the stunning scenery of the Rockies and the Colorado River. It's actually a long time Disneyland railroad attraction.

After a day lost among the endless Rockies, a city finally appears by the mountains in the evening. Sad to leave the wild behind, but at the same time, it also feels like a relief to be back near civilization. 

After a few hours, the city comes into view

Union Station (Denver)

It’s also a sign that spectacle Day 2 is coming to an end. Someone asked, “Where is this? Chicago?” No, this is Denver. The station’s name is Union Station, though, which makes it easy to mix up.

On Day 3, we passed peaceful, vast fields and crossed the Mississippi River, a landmark that shaped the early history of the U.S.

The Mississippi River

Meals

Here is the meal menu.

Breakfast & Lunch menu

Dinner Menu

Here are the actual dishes. Not bad. 

Lunch: Natural Angus Burger 

Dinner: Salad and Rolls

Dinner: Amtrak Signatue Flat Iron Steak

Dinner: White Chocolate Blueberry Cobbler Cheesecake

Breakfast: Three Egg Omlet

Lunch: Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad

At mealtimes, you share a table for four with three other passengers. It can be a little tight, but it’s always fun to talk with fellow travelers.

Some blogs and vlogs say you can have dinner in your room, but that’s no longer available. Now everyone goes to the dining car. A fellow passenger who has taken this train many times told me that in-room dining was a temporary option during the pandemic. (Update: One reader kindly commented that in-room dining is still available. Check the comments!)

Meal schedule: 

Breakfast and lunch are first-come, first-served, so you can arrive anytime during the designated window. Dinner requires a reservation, which you should make in advance on the train. Time slots may vary, so keep an ear out for announcements.

• Breakfast: 6:30–9:30 AM
• Lunch:
• Day 1 & Day 2: 12:00–1:30 PM
• Day 3: 10:30 AM–12:00 PM
• Dinner:
• Day 1: Choose 5:30 or 6:30 PM
• Day 2: Choose 5:00, 6:00, or 7:00 PM

Remember to bring a little cash to tip the servers. I saw a passenger pay the tip by phone, so I just wanted to try that and they accepted that, but it seems not so comfortable for them. It's probably better to pay them in cash, I'm not sure though.

Chicago Ramble

Then you’ll arrive at another Union Station, this time in Chicago. 

Union Station (Chicago)

Chicago is an important Amtrak hub in the U.S. The California Zephyr ends here, and to continue on to Boston, you’ll need to transfer to the Lake Shore Limited.

That gave me some time to explore the city. If you're traveling in a sleeper car, you can use the lounge at Union Station. They offer luggage storage, so I went for a jog through the city.

I started my sightseeing from Union Station itself, which is not only the main transit station but also has the iconic stairway from the movie The Untouchables. No stroller today.

'The Untouchables' stairway

I didn’t know Chicago had such a beach vibe. So many people were out enjoying the lake. It actually feels like the sea. I thought I would just stretch my legs, but strolling around the city was so fun that I ended up running 25 km. 

Oak Street Beach

Navy Pier

Underground Passage by the beach

my Strava Log

Later, I went to Exchequer Restaurant & Pub, an Italian place that once operated as a speakeasy run by Al Capone during Prohibition. I couldn’t see inside from the street, so I hesitated to go in since I was in running shorts and sweaty. But I decided to open the door, and they welcomed me warmly. I had 3 pints of local Chicago beer and an Italian beef sandwich. Beer always lifts my mood. At that moment, I was completely on their side. 'WE WANT BEER'. 

'WE WANT BEER'

Enjoyed a dinner

Chicago to Albany (Lake Shore Limited, Roomette)

Departure: April 18, 9:30 PM 

Arrival: April 19, 2:53 PM 

Duration: 17 hours

Switched trains in Chicago. I thought it’d have the same vibe. Nope. No observation car, a strange smell, and a toilet right next to the bed. It reminds me of a room in Alcatraz. 17 hours of nope. Honestly, just wanted out. It made me realize how special the California Zephyr really is.

In-room toilet

In-room toilet. Horrible idea.

Funny thing—I saw some seasoned local travelers switch from roomette to coach in Chicago. Makes sense. A fully flat bed is nice, but sleeping in the restroom maybe not worth the first-class price. If I have next time, I might go coach too, depending.

As for the scenery, this section offers wide, flat fields as far as the eye can see. 

Albany to Boston (Lake Shore Limited, Coach)

Departure: April 19, 3:27 PM

Arrival: 8:32 PM 

Duration: 5 hours

I had to change trains again at Albany, the political capital of New York State. Technically, that’s where the train splits. The one part goes to Boston, the other to NYC. I just switched cars. Since no roomettes were available, I booked a coach seat for the final 5 hour leg. It was a modest ride.

And finally, I arrived in Boston. A historic city, both for American history and the history of the Marathon.

Boston South Station

Boston Ramble

I stayed at an Airbnb near Sullivan Square Station with a wonderful host. It was only a 4-minute train ride from North Station. The room was clean, and the location was convenient. There were grocery stores, cozy cafes, and good restaurants just a short walk away. The price was also reasonable. On top of that, one of my housemates was also running the marathon. That made it feel like the perfect place. I truly recommend it.

I started my day with breakfast at a nearby cafe. It opened at 6 am. and had a warm, local vibe. I enjoyed a good breakfast and coffee there. It was a great way to begin the day.

Later, I headed to the Hynes Convention Center to pick up my bib. On the metro, I suddenly felt a Tokyo-like atmosphere. I’m not sure why, but the feeling reminded me of Japan in a way that trains in San Francisco don’t.

I noticed interesting platform ads. Before the trip, I had read a little about the Boston accent. People often say “wicked” to mean “very,” and they drop the “r” sound. One local law firm had an ad that said “wicked smaht.” I also saw a Brooks ad that said “run fast, run fah.”

wicked smaht lawyers

run fast, run fah

The whole city welcomed the runners. I saw many running events and met people from all over the world. Everyone looked proud to be there. It felt different from other races I’ve been part of.

After picking up my bib, I visited historic places like the Boston Tea Party Museum and the site of the Boston Massacre. At the Boston Tea Party Museum, you can join in by throwing a tea chest off the ship, just like they did in 1773.

Boston Tea Party Museum

Boston Massacre Site

That same day was the start of the NBA playoffs, and the Celtics had a game. The city was buzzing with excitement and watch parties. But I have to admit—I’m from the Bay Area. So… go Warriors! Sorry, Boston. But hey, Warriors blue and yellow actually match the Boston Marathon colors better than Celtics green, right?

Decorated in Celtics Green

I also visited the site of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. It was a quiet and emotional moment.

Boston Bombing Site 1

Boston Bombing Site 2

At first, I didn’t want to learn too much about the bombing. I thought it might make me feel uneasy during the race. But later, I decided to face it and learn. I went through Wikipedia and watched three movies about the event:

• Patriots Day – a thriller about the manhunt after the attack.The movie features a fictional cop but follows the real timeline and might closely reflect what actually happened. It also portrays the experiences of some of the victims. There’s a scene with a couple who lost their legs, talking in the hospital about the Boston accent, how "before" sounds like "befo'" in Boston, with no "R" sound.

• Stronger – the story of Jeff Bauman, a survivor who lost both legs. It shows how an ordinary man was caught up in the tragedy, struggling with his recovery and hesitating to be seen as an icon of "Boston Strong," while simply trying to live his life. 

• BOSTON: An American Running Story – a documentary about the marathon’s history, narrated by Matt Damon. He is known for Boston native, helped make the phrase “wicked smaht” famous through the movie Good Will Hunting. It doesn’t focus only on the bombing, but it was filmed soon after. It also features Japanese runners, including Toshihiko Seko, a legendary athlete who won the Boston Marathon twice.

All of these films were inspiring. I’m glad I took the time to understand both the tragedy and the resilience of the city. As I ran the course, I carried deep respect for the victims and for the history. I felt full of gratitude for the chance to run on my own two feet and for the life I’m living.

Boston Strong. Runners Strong. We're still running.

Boston Marathon

The Boston Marathon was founded in 1897 by American running enthusiasts, the year after the first modern Olympic Games in Greece. It’s the oldest annual marathon in the world, and this year marked its 129th edition.

I woke up at 5 am on race day, got ready, and checked out of the Airbnb around 6:30. I had to fly back to San Francisco the same day, since I had work the next morning. I found a luggage storage spot near North Station, inside a local gym, which opened at 6 am. The process was smooth and easy.

I arrived at Boston Common around 7:30 am. I was assigned to Wave 1, which starts boarding at 6:30, but I didn’t feel the need to rush. I kept it relaxed, always laid-back, like a Californian. I dropped off my bag and joined the bus line around 8:20 am.

Buses are waiting

Gear Check

I took the shuttle to the start line, which took about an hour. When I arrived at the Athletes' Village, it was around 9:30. I headed straight to my corral without stopping at the village. While using the restroom closest to my corral, I heard the National Anthem. Surprisingly, they had a lot of free sunscreen bottles available before the start line. Since we were strictly regulated on what we could bring to the village, this kind gesture must have helped a lot of runners.

Wave 1 started at 10 am, and I crossed the start line at 10:08 with no significant wait. Everything felt well organized. You could tell it was backed by 129 years of tradition.

Right after the smooth start

The San Francisco Marathon (I’ve finished it 3 times and I’m running my 4th this summer) usually starts before sunrise, around 6 am, so there aren’t many spectators. In contrast, Boston starts at 10 am, and the streets were packed with supporters cheering from start to finish. They gave me energy the whole way.

I wore a shirt that said "chiga_jog," which stands for Chigasaki Jogging Team from my hometown in Japan. Some spectators cheered “Go, Chicago.” At first, I thought they were talking to someone else. Then I realized they meant me. I guess the letters “Chiga” look like “Chicago” to people who are used to seeing it. That mix-up made me smile during the race.

#chiga_jog

The famous “Scream Tunnel” at Wellesley College was even nicer and louder than I imagined. I could hear the cheering even before I reached it.

Heartbreak Hill really tested me. I hit the wall around mile 20, and that hill took all my remaining energy. Still, the San Francisco Marathon has steeper climbs. Try that race if you want a real hill challenge during 26.2 miles.

The summit of 'Heartbreak Hill'

Almost Finish, 'Boston Strong' Overpass

I finished safely and proudly. It was a true honor to be part of such a historic and respected race. The Boston Marathon has a 129-year legacy, and now I’m part of it.

That's all, folks!

Crossing the American continent by train filled me with a deep sense of emotion and accomplishment. I passed through so many places that felt straight out of a movie and shared meaningful conversations with people I met along the way. I'm especially grateful for their patience with my developing English. (And yes, I tried to forget about the in-room toilet thing.)

Running the Boston Marathon was a huge milestone for me as a dedicated marathon runner. I can finally say, I’m not just a runner anymore. I’m a Boston runner.

I know both the train journey and the Boston Marathon are dreams for many Americans, and I truly appreciate that I had the chance to live them out. They took time and money, definitely not something I could do on a whim. That’s why I can say, without hesitation, this was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

 My Souvenirs

Appendix 1: Nike Ads

We came across some cool Nike ads along the way.

"YOU'VE COME HUNDREDS OF MILES TO GET HERE. ONLY 26.2 TO GO."

"26.2 MILES AHEAD OF YOU.THE WHOLE CITY BEHIND YOU.

"

"RUNNING IS AWFUL. I LOVE IT."

"THERE IS NO ALMOST FINISHED LINE."

"YOU'VE CROSSED A LOT OF FINISH LINES TO GET TO THIS STARTING LINE."

"THE ONLY THING YOU NEED IS EVERYTHING YOU HAVE."

"CONGRATS, YOU'VE ALREADY RUN A HALF-HALF MARATHON."
 (at the 6-mile mark)

 

Appendix 2: References

Sleeper Train

Official map:

https://www.amtrak.com/california-zephyr-train
https://www.amtrak.com/lake-shore-limited-train

California Zephyr Timetable (pdf):
https://content.amtrak.com/content/timetable/California%20Zephyr.pdf

Grounded Life Travel: Excellent YouTube channel by Amtrak experts. They’ve uploaded plenty of sleeper train videos and share lots of helpful tips.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNYBSNT7K2w

Travels of A Life: Here’s the best detailed guide I’ve found, written as a blog. I had no idea we needed cash for tipping on the train until I read this.
https://travels-of-a-life.com/en/from-chicago-to-san-francisco-with-the-california-zephyr/

Sojourns with Sue: She shares thorough, concise, and well-organized information here.
https://sojournswithsue.com/amtraks-california-zephyr-observations-tips-and-warnings/

Five scenic highlights aboard Amtrak's California Zephyr: check them out to know what to look forward to on your journey.

https://www.trains.com/trn/railroads/tourist/five-scenic-highlights-aboard-amtraks-california-zephyr/

Boston Marathon

Racing Stripes: Elizabeth's Running Adventures: You might have seen her running if you're on social media. She shares her lively passion for running and practical information about the Boston Marathon.
https://www.elizabethclor.com/

Haruki Murakami, one of the most famous Japanese novelists, is also well known for being a running enthusiast. He doesn’t hesitate to say that his favorite marathon is Boston. Speaking of which, his essay collection was the first time I realized how special the race is on a global scale — I read it over 20 years ago.
https://www.amazon.com/What-Talk-About-When-Running/dp/0307389839
He also shared his thoughts right after the 2013 bombing:

https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/boston-from-one-citizen-of-the-world-who-calls-himself-a-runner