THE COURSE

The historic course starts on Main Street in the rural New England town of Hopkinton and follows Route 135 through Ashland, Framingham, Natick, and Wellesley to where Route 135 joins Route 16. It continues along Route 16 through Newton Lower Falls, turning right at the fire station onto Commonwealth Avenue, which is Route 30. It follows Commonwealth through the Newton Hills, bearing right at the reservoir onto Chestnut Hill Avenue to Cleveland Circle. The route then turns left onto Beacon Street continu ing through Kenmore Square, and under Massachusetts Avenue. The course turns right onto Hereford Street (NOTE: against normal traffic flow) then left onto Boylston Street, finishing near the John Hancock Tower in Copley Square. To download the course map, click here.

AT&T ATHLETE ALERT

Official runners of the Boston Marathon can register to send friends and family automatic updates on their progress along the course using the AT&T Athlete Alert Program. Messages will be automatically delivered to any device capable of receiving short messages, such as a digital cellular phone, pager, hand-held device, or e-mail address. Alerts will be broadcast from the 10-kilometer, half-marathon, and 30-kilometer marks, as well as the finish, when the runner passes those locations. The B.A.A. first used the electronic timing and scoring device in 1995 on a trial basis with the push rim wheelchair division. All participants in the historic 100th Boston Marathon in 1996 were scored using the ChampionChip.

RACE DAY MEDIA COVERAGE

Live local coverage on WBZ-TV, or www.boston.cbslocal.com. Live national coverage on Universal Sports Television Network
Live online streaming on www.universalsports.com
Live web coverage on www.baa.org

2012 RACE DAY SCHEDULE (subject to adjustments)

9:00 a.m. Mobility Impaired Participants Start
9:17 a.m. Push-Rim Wheelchair Division Start
9:22 a.m. Handcycle Participants Start
9:32 a.m. Elite Women’s Start
10:00 a.m. Elite Men’s Start & Wave One
10:20 a.m Wave Two
10:40 a.m. Wave Three
5:00 p.m. Awards Ceremony
Fairmont Copley Plaza, Grand Ballroom,
138 St. James Avenue, Boston
7:30 p.m.–12:00 a.m. Post-Race Party* (21 and older only)
House of Blues, 15 Lansdowne St., Boston
*Tickets on sale at the John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo

OPTIMAL VIEWING TIMES/LOCATIONS

VIEWING THE BOSTON MARATHON IN HOPKINTON

Limited parking is available at the South Street lot and at Hopkinton State Park on Route 85. Shuttle buses drop off spectators in the center of Hopkinton. Buses make return trips to the parking lots until approximately 11:30 a.m. Viewing along the course route in each of the respective cities and towns is based on a first come basis.

RACE DAY ROAD CLOSURES*

RACE DAY TIMING & SCORING

The Boston Marathon uses a computer chip timing device as the primary method of scoring the race. The B.A.A. tracks every athlete at each 5 kilometer checkpoint. Family and friends can track the progress of their favorite runners by logging in to the B.A.A. website (www.baa.org) and entering the name and/or bib number of the entrant(s).

PARKING IN BOSTON

Race Week
On-street parking in Boston’s Back Bay is extremely limited during race week. There are a number of parking garages in the area; however, public transportation is strongly encouraged.

Race Day
Parking meters are not active on Patriots’ Day; however, due to road closures and traffic congestion, spectators will be unable to drive near the finish area.

Garage @ 100 Clarendon
Park just steps away from the Boston Marathon at the Garage @ 100 Clarendon. Located one block from the finish line, Garage @ 100 Clarendon is proud to be the Official Parking Garage of the Boston Marathon. Garage @ 100 Clarendon is the Back Bay and South End’s most affordable and conveniently located parking facility. Positioned above the Massachusetts Turnpike and next door to Back Bay Rail Station, this full service parking facility offers flexible parking services with unmatched customer service. Stay, Park & Save - Stay at any Boston hotel and receive discounted parking at Garage @ 100 Clarendon. Visit www.100clarendon.com for more information on Marathon Day Parking, Hotel Parking, and all other parking services.

FINISH AREA

The final 100 meters of the race is lined with bleacher seating. However, this area is reserved for race officials and invited guests. The Charles River (north) side of Boylston Street is open to the general public, and many fans arrive at the finish area in the early hours of the morning to secure the best viewing area. Spectators planning to view the race from this area should plan accordingly, and be aware of the many parking restrictions. A viewing area for persons with disabilities is located at the corner of Hereford and Boylston Streets. This area is adjacent to the Boston EMS Medical Tent and the fire station. Principal race sponsor John Hancock furnishes the finish area with a large video monitor, enabling spectators to watch a broadcast of the race while they await the arrival of all the finishers. The screen is located on Boylston Street at the intersection of Exeter Street, opposite the Boston Public Library.

FAMILY MEETING AREA

The Family Meeting Area is located on St. James Avenue and Stuart Street, from Berkeley Street to Clarendon Street. Alphabetically-lettered and posted signs enable parties to meet at the sign with the first letter of the athlete’s last name. Families, friends and athletes are urged to MAKE PLANS PRIOR TO RACE DAY on exactly where to reunite. You are urged to reunite in the Family Meeting Area; if you choose to meet elsewhere in the Boylston Street area be sure to check whether that location will be accessible on race day! You will not be able to drive near the finish. Also, please remember that it may take your athlete considerable time after crossing the finish line to meet you. Post-race, athletes are getting fluids and refreshments, gathering belongings, collecting their medals, and receiving massages. So, please be patient.