Boston is hosting 30,000 runners this Monday, April 15, for one of the most prestigious and acclaimed races in the world—the 128th Boston Marathon. Emerson College will be closed for Patriot’s Day, freeing students to spectate the race and enjoy the rest of the holiday’s festivities. Those interested in watching the big race can download the Boston Athletic Association Spectator Guide here.
The Boston Marathon is one of the six Abbott World Marathon Major events alongside New York City, Chicago, Berlin, London, and Tokyo. Unlike the other World Majors, Boston runners have to either qualify with a time or run for a charity group.
Race Day Schedule
Military March 6:00 a.m.
Men’s Wheelchair 9:02 a.m.
Women’s Wheelchair 9:05 a.m.
Handcycles & Duos 9:30 a.m.
Professional Men 9:37 a.m.
Professional Women 9:47 a.m.
Para Athletics Division 9:50 a.m.
Wave 1 10:00 a.m. ET
Wave 2 10:25 a.m. ET
Wave 3 10:50 a.m. ET
Wave 4 11:15 a.m. ET
Where to Watch
The start line of the marathon is in Hopkinton at E Main St. and Grove St. If you want to spectate from Hopkinton, you will see the runners for the first two miles before they head into Ashland from miles 1.90 to 4.95. According to the B.A.A., spectators in Ashland should catch an early train outbound on the Worcester/Framingham commuter line. The train station is about a mile from the 3.7-mile mark of the race. They also warned that spectators approaching viewing areas may be subject to security checkpoints. Ashland will have a high density of runners and may be a tough spot to find a familiar face in the crowd.
The course will go through Framingham from miles 4.95 to 7.52. The best way to get to Framingham from Boston is to take the Worcester/Framingham commuter line, and the train station is near the 6.6-mile mark. Next along the course is Natick, which houses miles 7.52 to 11.72. The B.A.A. lists Natick Common as the best spot to watch, which is also accessible by the Worcester/Framingham commuter line.
Miles 11.72 to 15.93 go through Wellesley—home of the Wellesley Scream Tunnel at Wellesley College. Also accessible via the Worcester/Framingham line, Wellesley is a great place to cheer runners on at the halfway point.
Miles 15.93 to 21.35 go through Newton, which is accessible via the Green Line (Woodland and Boston College stops). Newton is also home to Heartbreak Hill, a series of escalating roadways from miles 17.5 to 21, with the top around mile 21. Brookline houses miles 22.45 to 24.70, and the last stretch of the marathon is in Boston. The finish line is on Boylston St., right in front of the Boston Public Library.
Bill Sterritt, an organizer of the Dashing Whippets Running Club in Boston, said the corner of Hereford and Boylston was a great spot to see the final turn and straight away.
“It gets really crowded, but it’s pretty epic if you’re lucky enough to see a close race,” Sterritt said in an interview with the Beacon.
Elite Runners
Kenyan professional runner Evans Chebet is looking to win his third straight Boston Marathon this year. Chebet boasts a personal best of 2:03:00 which is rivaled by Ethiopian Sisay Lemma after he raced 2:01:48 in Valencia last December. Hellen Obiri won on the women’s side in 2023 and will also seek to take home a consecutive win.
Finding Athletes
The B.A.A. recommends that friends and family make plans to meet in advance. There is also the B.A.A. Racing App, where people can track runners, view course maps, and get weather and traffic information. There is also a Family Meeting Area located on Stuart St. between Berkeley and Clarendon for finding athletes after the race.
Blue and yellow banners already fly around the city, with signs hailing #BostonStrong hanging in the windows this week as the city gets into marathon gear. As thousands flock to the city for the marathon, it’s important to be aware and be safe.
