When is the 2024 Boston Marathon? Start time, date, route, map, how to watch race, live stream

On your marks, get set, go! Thousands of racers are gearing up for the 128th Boston Marathon.

The world's oldest marathon kicks off on Patriot's Day in Boston, or on Monday, April 15. The annual race is one of six World Marathon Majors and attracts tens of thousands of both racers and spectators over its various events, all culminating with the 26.2 mile race stretching from Hopkinton, Massachusetts to Boston.

The 26.2-mile race from Hopkinton to Boylston Street in Boston starts just after 9 a.m. on Monday, April 15.

There will be over 30,000 official participants, including runners from 129 countries and all 50 U.S. states. The event is expected to inject more than $200 million into the Greater Boston economy.

The marathon is run by both professional and amateur racers. It is organized every year by the Boston Athletic Association, and this year, is presented by Bank of America.

When is the 2024 Boston Marathon?

The 2024 Boston Marathon always falls on Patriot's Day, which is observed in Massachusetts on the third Monday of April. This year, it falls on Monday, April 15.

What time does the Boston Marathon start?

Boston Marathon start times for racers are staggered, with the first wave kicking off at approximately 10 a.m. ET Wave 4, or the last wave, will begin around 11:15 a.m. ET.

2024 Boston Marathon Race day schedule, start-times

All times ET and GMT.

Military March - 6 am ET (10pm GMT)

Men’s Wheelchair - 9.02 am ET (1.02pm GMT)

Women’s Wheelchair - 9.05 am ET (1.05pm GMT)

Handcycles & Duos - 9.30 am ET (1.30pm GMT)

Professional Men - 9.37 am ET (1.37pm GMT)

Professional Women - 9.45 am ET (1.45pm GMT)

Para Athletics Divisions - 9.50 am ET (1.50pm GMT)

Rolling Start Wave 1 - 10.00am ET (2pm GMT)

Rolling Start Wave 2 - 10.25am ET (2.25pm GMT)

Rolling Start Wave 3 - 10.50am ET (2.50pm GMT)

Rolling Start Wave 4 - 11.15am ET (3.15pm GMT)

All start times are subject to change.

What is the 2024 Boston Marathon course, route, map?

Runners start off the Boston Marathon from Main Street in Hopkinton and follow Route 135 through Ashland, Framingham, and Natick, then into Wellesley.
The route moves on to Route 16 through Wellesley into Newton before turning onto Commonwealth Avenue (Route 30) through the Newton Hills and past the reservoir onto Chestnut Hill Avenue.

The route then turns left on Beacon Street, traversing past Kenmore Square before linking back up with Commonwealth Avenue. The home stretch includes a right turn onto Hereford Street and left onto Boylston Street before finishing at Copley Square.

How to watch and stream the Boston Marathon

The 128th Boston Marathon will be televised on ESPN2 from 8:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. on race day. You can also catch highlights on SportsCenter.

Locally, live coverage of the Boston Marathon will air on WCVB beginning at 4:00 a.m. ET through 8:00 p.m. ET.

The race will be exclusively simulcast regionally on WCVB Channel 5’s Hearst Television owned sister-stations WMUR (Manchester, NH), WMTW (Portland/Auburn, ME), and WPTZ (Burlington, VT/Plattsburgh, NY).

The Boston Marathon will also be live streamed on Very Local Boston.

If you live outside of the local coverage area, the race will also be broadcast on ESPN2 from 8:30 a.m. ET to 12:30 p.m. ET. ESPN will feature coverage of the race on "SportsCenter" before live coverage and late in the day, and coverage will air on other ESPN shows and platforms.

Who won the 2023 Boston Marathon?

Last year, Evans Chebet of Kenya won overall and in the men's division with a time of 2:05:54.

For the women's division, Helen Obiri of Kenya placed first with a time of 2:21:38.

What is Patriot's Day?

Patriot's Day is a holiday observed in six states, celebrating some of the first battles of the Revolutionary War, including the battles of Lexington, Concord and Menotomy.

Patriot's Day is on the third Monday of April every year, and the Boston Marathon is always held the same day.

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