Home Races Boston Marathon Info for Spectators
Info for Spectators
Whether along the route or watching on television, make the most of your Boston Marathon experience.
Announcements
-
2026 Bank of America Boston Marathon Official Charity Program Members Announced
Read More -
Qualifier Acceptances Announced for 130th Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America
Quick Links
- B.A.A. Racing App External Link
- Course Map External Link
- Spectator Guide Link
Watch the Race
Plan your Marathon Monday experience, whether out on the course or watching from home.
RACE DAY
- Spectator Guidelines
- B.A.A. Racing App
- Family Meeting Area
- Accessibility
- Parking
- The Route
- Watch On Television
Spectator Guidelines
The B.A.A. is committed to creating an amazing race day experience for all. As a spectator of a B.A.A. event you play a powerful role in fostering a sense of belonging and community for participants, volunteers, staff, and fellow spectators. We are especially grateful to the cities and towns that host us year after year and appreciate the effort spectators make to treat every person, and their property, along the route with dignity, respect, and care.
Spectators are not allowed to enter the course, run alongside athletes, or impede athletes in any manner. Any person on the course without an official race bib or accreditation will be directed to leave the course immediately.
Spectators are asked to be aware of their surroundings and to report suspicious conduct or items to the closest law enforcement officer or by calling 9-1-1.
Town by Town
The free B.A.A. Racing App is your source for participant tracking, leaderboards, results, race info, weather, course maps, photobooths, and more! Receive alerts as your favorite participants reach checkpoints on course. Download the B.A.A. Racing App today in your mobile app store.
Review the course map to plan your spectating journey. Since the Boston Marathon is point-to-point, it’s best to have a strategy and plan if wanting to see your favorite athletes in more than one location.
Start – 1.90 miles
Road Closures: Approximately 7:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Arrive early to the start line on Main Street and see 30,000 participants depart historic Hopkinton! The town of Hopkinton has been home to the start line since 1924.
Limited spectator parking is available at Hopkinton State Park. Shuttles will be available on race morning.
Start Times:
| Military March | 6:00 a.m. ET |
| Men’s Wheelchair | 9:06 a.m. ET |
| Women’s Wheelchair | 9:09 a.m. ET |
| Handcycles & Duos | 9:30 a.m. ET |
| Professional Men | 9:37 a.m. ET |
| Professional Women | 9:47 a.m. ET |
| Para Athletics Division | 9:50 a.m. ET |
| 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 |
1.90 miles – 4.95 miles
Road Closures: Approximately 6:15 a.m. to 1:20 p.m.
MBTA Stop: Ashland (Commuter Rail, Pleasant Street)
If you time it right, see your favorite runners pass by on Main Street then hop on the Commuter Rail to head down the course. The Ashland station is just under a mile from the course; be sure to check the train schedule on race day for precise timing.
4.95 miles – 7.52 miles
Road Closures: Approximately 7:00 a.m. to 1:55 p.m.
MBTA Stop: Framingham (Commuter Rail, Waverly Street)
The Framingham Train Depot is a great spot to watch the athletes pass by then jump on the inbound Commuter Rail to Boston. Check train schedules on race day for precise timing.
7.52 miles – 11.72 miles
Road Closures: Approximately 7:30 a.m. to 1:55 p.m.
MBTA Stops: West Natick (Commuter Rail, W. Central Street); Natick (Commuter Rail, Walnut Street)
With Fisk Pond as a backdrop, crowds gather on both sides of the road to cheer on participants before they hit Natick Center. Spectators pack Natick Common on Center Street, or take in beautiful views along Fisk Pond and Lake Cochituate.
11.72 miles – 15.93 miles
Road Closures: Approximately 7:30 a.m. to 3:35 p.m.
MBTA Stops: Wellesley Square (Commuter Rail, Grove Street); Wellesley Hills (Commuter Rail, Washington Street); Wellesley Farms (Commuter Rail, Croton Street)
Just prior to the halfway point, Wellesley College is home to one of the loudest and most enthusiastic sports in all of road racing: The Wellesley Scream Tunnel.
15.93 miles – 21.35 miles
Road Closures: Approximately 7:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
MBTA Stops: Multiple Green Line Stops (including Woodland, Boston College)
The famed Newton Hills (Miles 17.5 – 21) challenge runners on their way to Boston, but feature very supportive and energetic fans on both sides of the road.
22.45 miles – 24.70 miles
Road Closures: Approximately 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
MBTA Stops: Multiple Green Line Stops (including Cleveland Circle, C-Line Brance)
The Beacon Street stretch of the course provides nearly three miles of vantage points and plenty of places to grab a snack before heading downtown for the finish on Boylston.
21.35 miles – 22.45 miles
24.70 miles – 26.20 miles
Road Closures: Varying until 7:00 p.m.
MBTA Stops: Multiple stops including Commuter Rail, Green Line, and Orange Line
The final stretch on Boylston Street is what athletes have been training months for. Celebrate and cheer as they earn their unicorn medals!
Where to catch this year’s race
Prior to race day, make a plan for where to reunite with participants and loved ones. The Family Meeting Area is located on Stuart Street between Berkeley Street and Clarendon Street, and has alphabetical signs to support finding family. It takes considerable time to go from the finish to the Family Meeting Area, so please be patient when searching for runners!
Boston-area viewers can enjoy exclusive live coverage of the Boston Marathon on WCVB Channel 5 (ABC), beginning at 4AM on Marathon Monday.
STREAM: Live streaming of the Boston Marathon is available through the Very Local app. Simply search for “Very Local” in your device’s app store to download the free app, compatible with smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs.
The Boston Marathon will also be simulcast regionally on WCVB Channel 5’s Hearst Television sister stations: WMUR News 9 ABC (Manchester, NH), WMTW Channel 8 ABC (Portland/Auburn, ME), and WPTZ NBC5 (Burlington, VT/Plattsburgh, NY).
For more information, visit wcvb.com/boston-marathon and verylocal.com/cities/boston.
ESPN2 will broadcast the 129th Boston Marathon, scheduled to take place on Monday, April 21, 2025, on its flagship channel from 9:00 a.m. ET until 12:30 p.m. ET.
In addition, ESPN will also have coverage of the race within SportsCenter before the live coverage and later in the day, as well as coverage appearing on other ESPN shows and platforms.
For more information, visit www.espn.com.
OFFICIAL BROADCASTERS
WCVB ABC
- New England (US local)
ESPN
- United States (National)
- Australia
TSN/RDS
- Canada
SMG
- China
ESPN Brazil
- Brazil
ESPN LATAM/Sur
- Anguilla
- Antigua
- Argentina
- Aruba
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Barbuda
- Belize
- Bermuda
- Bolivia
- Bonaire
- British Virgin Islands
- Cayman Islands
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Cuba
- Curacao
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Falkland Islands
- French Guiana
- Grenada
- Guadeloupe
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Jamaica
- Martinique
- Mexico
- Montserrat
- Nicaragua
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Saba
- St. Barthelemy
- St. Eustatius
- St. Kitts/Nevis
- St. Lucia
- St. Maarten
- St. Vincent/Grenadines
- Suriname
- Trinidad & Tobago
- Turks & Caicos
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
Eurosport India
- India
- Afghanistan
- Bangladesh
- Bhutan
- Maldives
- Nepal
- Pakistan
- Sri Lanka
Eurosport
- Albania
- Andorra
- Armenia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Cyprus
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Israel
- Italy
- Kosovo
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macedonia
- Malta
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Republic of Ireland
- Romania
- Russia
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Tajikistan
- Turkmenistan
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- Uzbekistan
- Vatican State
Supersport
- Angola
- Benin
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Comoros
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Cote d’Ivoire
- Djibouti
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- The Gambia
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Kenya
- Liberia
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Reunion
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Socotra
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Swaziland
- Tanzania
- Togo
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Emtek
- Indonesia
- Philippines
- Timor Leste
Olympic Channel
- Rest of World
Accessibility
ADA-accessible viewing is available near the Finish Line at the corners of Hereford and Boylston, Ring Road and Boylston, Fairfield and Boylston, and Exeter and Boylston.
Please note: Hynes Convention Center MBTA is not accessible.
Parking
Due to road closures and traffic congestion, spectators will not be able to park near the finish area. Suggested garages in Boston include:
- Garage at 100 Clarendon
- Prudential Center Parking (Huntington Avenue)
- Copley Place Parking (2 Copley Place)
- Boston Common Garage (Charles Street, closed on Marathon Monday morning)
Town By Town
Review the course map to plan your spectating journey. Since the Boston Marathon is point-to-point, it’s best to have a strategy and plan if wanting to see your favorite athletes in more than one location.
Start – 1.90 miles
Road Closures: Approximately 7:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Arrive early to the start line on Main Street and see 30,000 participants depart historic Hopkinton! The town of Hopkinton has been home to the start line since 1924.
Limited spectator parking is available at Hopkinton State Park. Shuttles will be available on race morning.
Start Times:
| Military March | 6:00 a.m. ET |
| Men’s Wheelchair | 9:06 a.m. ET |
| Women’s Wheelchair | 9:09 a.m. ET |
| Handcycles & Duos | 9:30 a.m. ET |
| Professional Men | 9:37 a.m. ET |
| Professional Women | 9:47 a.m. ET |
| Para Athletics Division | 9:50 a.m. ET |
| 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 |
1.90 miles – 4.95 miles
Road Closures: Approximately 6:15 a.m. to 1:20 p.m.
MBTA Stop: Ashland (Commuter Rail, Pleasant Street)
If you time it right, see your favorite runners pass by on Main Street then hop on the Commuter Rail to head down the course. The Ashland station is just under a mile from the course; be sure to check the train schedule on race day for precise timing.
4.95 miles – 7.52 miles
Road Closures: Approximately 7:00 a.m. to 1:55 p.m.
MBTA Stop: Framingham (Commuter Rail, Waverly Street)
The Framingham Train Depot is a great spot to watch the athletes pass by then jump on the inbound Commuter Rail to Boston. Check train schedules on race day for precise timing.
7.52 miles – 11.72 miles
Road Closures: Approximately 7:30 a.m. to 1:55 p.m.
MBTA Stops: West Natick (Commuter Rail, W. Central Street); Natick (Commuter Rail, Walnut Street)
With Fisk Pond as a backdrop, crowds gather on both sides of the road to cheer on participants before they hit Natick Center. Spectators pack Natick Common on Center Street, or take in beautiful views along Fisk Pond and Lake Cochituate.
11.72 miles – 15.93 miles
Road Closures: Approximately 7:30 a.m. to 3:35 p.m.
MBTA Stops: Wellesley Square (Commuter Rail, Grove Street); Wellesley Hills (Commuter Rail, Washington Street); Wellesley Farms (Commuter Rail, Croton Street)
Just prior to the halfway point, Wellesley College is home to one of the loudest and most enthusiastic sports in all of road racing: The Wellesley Scream Tunnel.
15.93 miles – 21.35 miles
Road Closures: Approximately 7:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
MBTA Stops: Multiple Green Line Stops (including Woodland, Boston College)
The famed Newton Hills (Miles 17.5 – 21) challenge runners on their way to Boston, but feature very supportive and energetic fans on both sides of the road.
22.45 miles – 24.70 miles
Road Closures: Approximately 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
MBTA Stops: Multiple Green Line Stops (including Cleveland Circle, C-Line Brance)
The Beacon Street stretch of the course provides nearly three miles of vantage points and plenty of places to grab a snack before heading downtown for the finish on Boylston.
21.35 miles – 22.45 miles
24.70 miles – 26.20 miles
Road Closures: Varying until 7:00 p.m.
MBTA Stops: Multiple stops including Commuter Rail, Green Line, and Orange Line
The final stretch on Boylston Street is what athletes have been training months for. Celebrate and cheer as they earn their unicorn medals!
Where to catch this year’s race
Boston-area viewers can enjoy exclusive live coverage of the Boston Marathon on WCVB Channel 5 (ABC), beginning at 4AM on Marathon Monday.
STREAM: Live streaming of the Boston Marathon is available through the Very Local app. Simply search for “Very Local” in your device’s app store to download the free app, compatible with smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs.
The Boston Marathon will also be simulcast regionally on WCVB Channel 5’s Hearst Television sister stations: WMUR News 9 ABC (Manchester, NH), WMTW Channel 8 ABC (Portland/Auburn, ME), and WPTZ NBC5 (Burlington, VT/Plattsburgh, NY).
For more information, visit wcvb.com/boston-marathon and verylocal.com/cities/boston.
ESPN2 will broadcast the 129th Boston Marathon, scheduled to take place on Monday, April 21, 2025, on its flagship channel from 9:00 a.m. ET until 12:30 p.m. ET.
In addition, ESPN will also have coverage of the race within SportsCenter before the live coverage and later in the day, as well as coverage appearing on other ESPN shows and platforms.
For more information, visit www.espn.com.
OFFICIAL BROADCASTERS
WCVB ABC
- New England (US local)
ESPN
- United States (National)
- Australia
TSN/RDS
- Canada
SMG
- China
ESPN Brazil
- Brazil
ESPN LATAM/Sur
- Anguilla
- Antigua
- Argentina
- Aruba
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Barbuda
- Belize
- Bermuda
- Bolivia
- Bonaire
- British Virgin Islands
- Cayman Islands
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Cuba
- Curacao
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Falkland Islands
- French Guiana
- Grenada
- Guadeloupe
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Jamaica
- Martinique
- Mexico
- Montserrat
- Nicaragua
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Saba
- St. Barthelemy
- St. Eustatius
- St. Kitts/Nevis
- St. Lucia
- St. Maarten
- St. Vincent/Grenadines
- Suriname
- Trinidad & Tobago
- Turks & Caicos
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
Eurosport India
- India
- Afghanistan
- Bangladesh
- Bhutan
- Maldives
- Nepal
- Pakistan
- Sri Lanka
Eurosport
- Albania
- Andorra
- Armenia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Cyprus
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Israel
- Italy
- Kosovo
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macedonia
- Malta
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Republic of Ireland
- Romania
- Russia
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Tajikistan
- Turkmenistan
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- Uzbekistan
- Vatican State
Supersport
- Angola
- Benin
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Comoros
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Cote d’Ivoire
- Djibouti
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- The Gambia
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Kenya
- Liberia
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Reunion
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Socotra
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Swaziland
- Tanzania
- Togo
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Emtek
- Indonesia
- Philippines
- Timor Leste
Olympic Channel
- Rest of World