The 2024 Boston Marathon is on Patriots’ Day, Monday, April 15.
Athletes take off from the starting line beginning at 9:02 a.m. (men's wheelchair division) and continuing in waves through 11:15 a.m.
The professional men's and professional women's division frontrunners are expected to cross the finish line around 11:45 a.m. and 12 p.m., respectively.
Watch the Boston Marathon on TV
WCVB Channel 5 begins its race day broadcast at 4 a.m. and will continue covering the Boston Marathon until 8 p.m.
WMUR, WMTW and WPTZ will all share WCVB's broadcast those same hours.
ESPN will broadcast race day from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., with additional coverage during “SportsCenter” through the day.
Stream the Boston Marathon online
WCVB, WMUR, WMTW and WPTZ will all livestream the race on their digital platforms and apps.
A livestream will also be available on Very Local Boston. Streamers can find Very Local in the app store for mobile devices as well as Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV and Samsung TV (2019 and later models).
Watch Boston Marathon athletes in person
The course runs through eight Massachusetts cities and towns, with plenty of opportunities to spectate along the 26.2 miles.
In Hopkinton, the starting line is an exciting location — but spectators will need to plan ahead. Roads around the starting line and the town common will close at 6:30 a.m., and other roads around downtown will close at 7 a.m. More info here.
In Ashland, the Boston Athletic Association says roads will close around 6:15 a.m. The nearest train station to the course is the Ashland stop on the Worcester/Framingham commuter rail line. That station is about a mile away from the race course. It has a long ramp and high-level platform for accessibility.
In Framingham, roads will close around 7 a.m., according to the BAA. The nearest train station to the course is the Framingham stop on the commuter rail's Worcester/Framingham line, which lets passengers off right by the course. This station has a high-level platform and two elevators for accessibility.
In Natick, popular viewing spots are Fisk Pond and Natick Common. Roads will close around 8:30 a.m., according to Natick police. The West Natick and Natick stations on the commuter rail's Worcester/Framingham line are both located right by the race course. The West Natick station has a high-level platform for accessibility.
In Wellesley, the most popular viewing spot is the Scream Tunnel at Wellesley College, which marks the halfway point on the course. Roads in Wellesley will close around 8:30 a.m., according to Wellesley police. More info here. The nearest train station is Wellesley Square on the commuter rail's Framingham/Worcester Line, just a short walk from the course.
In Newton, Heartbreak Hill is the most popular viewing area. Roads will close around 8 a.m. in Newton. More info here. The nearest MBTA subway stop to Heartbreak Hill is Boston College on the Green Line B branch. The Woodland stop along the Green Line D branch also goes near the course in Newton, a few miles before Heartbreak Hill.
In Brookline, Cleveland Circle and Coolidge Corner are both popular viewing areas. Roads will close around 8 a.m. More info here. The Green Line C branch travels along Beacon Street just like the marathon athletes, and it stops at both Cleveland Circle and Coolidge Corner. The Green Line B and D branches also stop at several locations near the course.
In Boston, the finish line on Boylston Street is the prime viewing area. ADA-accessible seating can be found at the corner of Boylston and Hereford streets. Streets all around the area will have restrictions. More info here. Spectators are encouraged to use the MBTA to get to viewing locations.
Public transit options
The Framingham/Worcester commuter rail line will increase service to meet demand on Marathon Monday. See the full schedule. No bikes or scooters will be allowed on board this line from 5 p.m. Sunday, April 14 through the end of service on Monday, April 15.
The route 1 bus between Harvard and Nubian Station will operate on an increased Saturday schedule. Routes 55 and 65 will not operate on Marathon Monday.
Some MBTA stations will be closed during the race. Copley will be closed for the entire day. Along the Green Line, South Street, Kent Street and St. Mary's Street stops will be closed from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Bicyclists should note that no bikes or scooters will be allowed on board any MBTA subway vehicle on Marathon Monday.
Find recommended spectator spots along GBH News' Boston Marathon route map below. Looking for ways to get here? Open the left menu and check the box next to “parking and transit” for suggestions.
If you plan to cheer on athletes from the sidelines, there are course rules to follow:
- No throwing items onto the course, including confetti or streamers.
- Respect race staff, participants and other spectators.
- Do not interfere with race operations.
- Dispose of your trash properly, or take it with you.
Do not bring prohibited items, which include:
- weapons;
- costumes;
- coolers;
- large bags and suitcases;
- fireworks and flammable liquids.
