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 21, 2025. With over 30,000 competitors annually, it’s certainly an event you don’t want to miss. The 26.2-mile route from Hopkinton to the finish line on Boylston Street in Boston offers many options for cheering, eating, and post-race celebration (including this Marathon party at Time Out Market!) . 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, carbo-load at one of the best 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 Military march begins at 6am followed by men’s wheelchairs at 9:06am and women’s at 9:09am. 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 page here of where to support 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.
Live coverage of the Boston Marathon will air on WCVB Channel 5 beginning at 4am through 8pm.
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).
WCVB and all of its television partners will provide coverage of the marathon on their digital platforms and mobile apps.
If you want to watch it live, streaming on Very Local Boston is your best bet.
For live national coverage, ESPN will broadcast the 129th Boston Marathon on its flagship channel from 9:00 am until 12:30 pm. In addition, ESPN will also have coverage of the race within SportsCenter before the live coverage and later in the day.
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