Where to Watch | Schedule | Course Map | Road Closures | Spectator Policies
The Boston Marathon is the world's largest annual marathon. It is always held on Patriots' Day, the third Monday of April. The Boston Marathon ranks as one of the world's best-known road racing events. It is one of six World Marathon Majors.
The event attracts 500,000 spectators each year, making it New England's most widely viewed sporting event. Though starting with 18 participants in 1897, the event now attracts an average of about 20,000 registered participants each year, with 26,839 people entering in 2013.
For more information on events: baa.org
(photo courtesy of BAA.org)
Hopkinton (Start to 2 miles): The race begins here, but if you think you'll find a good viewing spot, forget it -- it will be packed. Instead, meander down the route as far as a mile; around Frankland Road, you'll get a good view of the racers as they zip downhill from the starting line.
Ashland (2 to 5 miles): The area around Ashland State Park is usually roomier than the center of town.
Framingham (5 to 8 miles): Check out broad Waverly Street near the railroad station, about the 6-mile mark. The crowd thins out from Union Avenue to the Natick line.
Natick (8 to 11.5 miles): The town green is likely to be pretty cramped, but if you get there early, you can snag a good spot. The 10-mile mark is at Central Street.
Wellesley (11.5 to 16 miles): This town's business district features the exact midway point of the 26.2-mile race. But before the racers get there, the screaming Wellesley College students make for a lively -- and loud -- watching spot. It's also here that the racers leave Route 135 and merge onto Route 16. Set up either just before the college crowd or after, closer to Town Hall. Hunnewell Park is on a hill and provides a nifty overall view. Wide, straight Washington Street in Wellesley Hills is a great place, too.
Newton Lower Falls, West Newton (16 to 17.5 miles): The well-known red brick Newton Fire Station marks the sharp right the racers must take as they turn from Route 16 (Washington Street) onto Commonwealth Avenue (Route 30) and face the daunting Newton hills. Lots of locals set up picnics here, but there should be room for newbies.
Newton (17.5 to 20 miles): Lots of green space all along Comm. Ave. Check out both the Dartmouth Street and Chestnut Street intersections, as well as the lawn in front of Newton City Hall.
Chestnut Hill (20 to 21.5 miles): This is the make-or-break section of the race: infamous Heartbreak Hill. You'll encounter another noisy college crowd here -- that of Boston College, right at the top of the hill -- but there are wide roads and green space for good viewing spots.
Brighton (21.5 to 22.5 miles): Another exciting spot to watch is Cleveland Circle, where runners turn left onto Beacon Street. The race is entering urban territory, with the attendant noisy crowds.
Brookline (22.5 to 24.5 miles): The same can be said for lively Coolidge Corner. For a better view, walk down Beacon toward Kenmore Square until the crowd thins out a bit.
Boston (24.5 to 26.2 miles): If you want rowdy, park yourself in Kenmore Square and bring a ladder (only kidding). The crowd swells when the Red Sox game gets out, and whether the Sox won or lost, they'll be um, very loud. This is the last wide-open space for viewing; from here, the racers continue down Comm. Ave., take a right onto tiny Hereford, then a left into the madness of Boylston Street and the finish line.
Division | Start time | approx no. of entrants |
---|---|---|
Mobility Impaired | 8:50 a.m. | 50 |
Push Rim Wheelchair | 9:17 a.m. | 70 + 6 Duos |
Handcycles | 9:22 a.m. | 18 |
Elite Women | 9:32 a.m. | 40 |
Elite Men & Wave One | 10:00 a.m. | 7,500 |
Wave Two | 10:25 a.m. | 7,500 |
Wave Three | 11:00 a.m. | 7,500 |
Wave Four | 11:15 a.m. | 7,500 |
SPLIT | LOCATION | LEAD MEN (W) | LEAD WOMEN (W) | LEAD WOMEN | LEAD MEN |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Start | Main St. Hopkinton | 9:17 a.m. | 9:17 a.m. | 9:32 a.m. | 10:00 a.m. |
5K | Rt. 135, Ashland | 9:26 a.m. | 9:26 a.m. | 9:49 a.m. | 10:15 a.m. |
10K | Rt. 135, Framingham | 9:36 a.m. | 9:38 a.m. | 10:06 a.m. | 10:30 a.m. |
15K | Rt. 135, Natick | 9:47 a.m. | 9:50 a.m. | 10:22 a.m. | 10:46 a.m. |
20K | Rt. 135, Wellesley | 9:57 a.m. | 10:02 a.m. | 10:39 a.m. | 11:01 a.m. |
Half | Rt. 135, Wellesley | 9:59 a.m. | 10:04 a.m. | 10:42 a.m. | 11:04 a.m. |
25K | Rt. 16, Wellesley | 10:07 a.m. | 10:14 a.m. | 10:57 a.m. | 11:16 a.m. |
30K | Rt. 30, Newton | 10:17 a.m. | 10:26 a.m. | 11:14 a.m. | 11:31 a.m. |
35K | Rt. 30, Boston | 10:27 a.m. | 10:38 a.m. | 11:31 a.m. | 11:47 a.m. |
40K | Beacon St., Boston | 10:36 a.m. | 10:49 a.m. | 11:48 a.m. | 12:02 p.m. |
FINISH | Boylston St., Boston | 10:41 a.m. | 10:55 a.m. | 11:56 a.m. | 12:08 p.m. |
All times above are approximate
Security Sweeps and Road Closures:
Road Closures
T-Station Closures
A Command and Control Center will be installed inside the Boston Public Library on Marathon Monday.
Steel barriers will align the route all the way out to Brookline.
Verizon and AT&T will deploy roving service providers to increase capacity and wifi service.
April 16, 2018
April 15, 2019
April 20, 2020
April 19, 2021
April 18, 2022
April 17, 2023
April 15, 2024
April 21, 2025