Here’s what you need to know about watching this legendary race.
Held annually on Patriots’ Day and claiming the spot as the oldest race of its kind in the country, the famous Boston Marathon will run all day on April 15, 2024. Even if you aren’t one of this year’s 30,000 competitors, there are plenty of ways to cheer them along the 26.2-mile Boston Marathon route from Hopkinton to the finish line on Boylston Street in Boston. Below, you can find the full route, its starting and finish line points, and how to watch it in-person or streaming live on TV. You can also check out our list of things to do during the Boston Marathon. If you’re competing in the race, work on your cardio in the comfort of one of Boston’s best gyms, or carbo-load at one of the best bagel shops in Boston or best Italian restaurants in Boston.
The route begins on Main Street in the rural New England town of Hopkinton. It takes runners through Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley and Newton (the location of the dreaded "Heartbreak Hill" between Mile 20 and 21) before entering Boston. The first start time is 9:02am for mobility-impaired runners, and a list of other tentative start times can be found here.
After heading through Newton Hills, the race runs through Cleveland Circle continuing to Kenmore Square. Following Commonwealth Avenue inbound, it turns onto Hereford Street then left onto Boylston Street, finishing across from the Boston Public Library and Old South Church in Boston's Copley Square.
The Boston Athletic Association has put together a list here of where to check out the runners as they’re pushing their best feet forward through Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton and Brookline. The finish line on Boylston is a crowded place for spectators to gather, with a few eateries along the route where (if you’re lucky) you can grab a patio seat to watch as the runners realize their dreams just yards away. Of note for traveling into Boston—the Copley T Station will be closed, and roads near the race course will begin to close to cars near the finish line at 7:15am.
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