It's Patriots' Day. State and municipal offices are closed for the Massachusetts state holiday (though you can still swing by the post office). We won't warm up as much as last week, but the brisk temperatures today are great running weather for the 30,000 people getting ready to tackle the 26.2-mile Boston Marathon route. If you're on the sidelines, however, meteorologist Danielle Noyes suggests layers. Click here for everything you need to know about the 130th Boston Marathon. Below is a quick tipsheet for following the race: When it starts: As usual, the race gets going just after 9 a.m. in waves — starting with those speedy wheelchair racers, then the elite runners and then everyone else. This year's marathon includes two additional waves to thin out the bottleneck of runners by the starting line. The Boston Athletic Association says it consulted with "crowd scientists" on the decision (which, yes, is a real thing). The finish line closes at 5:30 p.m., about six hours after the last runners take off from Hopkinton: - Men's wheelchair — 9:06 a.m.
- Women's wheelchair — 9:09 a.m.
- Handcycles and duos — 9:30 a.m.
- Professional men — 9:37 a.m.
- Professional women — 9:47 a.m.
- Para athletics division — 9:50 a.m.
- Wave 1 — 10 a.m.
- Wave 2 — 10:15 a.m.
- Wave 3 — 10:28 a.m.
- Wave 4 — 10:41 a.m.
- Wave 5 — 11:01 a.m.
- Wave 6 — 11:21 a.m.
How to find and follow your runner: Trying to track a friend who's running? Or your favorite pro racer? Or your favorite astronaut? Click here to look up their wave and bib number. To track their live progress from Hopkinton to Boston, you'll need to download the "BAA Racing App. " From there, it's another easy name search to find and save a runner (or runners) whose little dot you can follow live along the course. How to watch from the couch: In the Boston area, turn your TV to Channel 5. WCVB will be broadcasting live coverage of the race all day. WCVB's sister stations around New England — WMUR in New Hampshire, WMTW in Maine and WPTZ in Vermont/upstate New York — will also air simulcasts. - Not in New England? ESPN2 has you covered from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
How to watch quietly at work: Try WCVB's online livestream or their Very Local app. Where to watch in person: Click here for the most popular spots along the course, or check out WBUR staffers and readers' favorite viewing locations, including some hidden gems. While it's no hidden gem, longtime Boston Marathon reporter Alex Ashlock says there's something magical about watching from the finish line, despite the crowds: "It becomes a sea of joy." How to get there: Road closures and traffic will make finding parking by the finish line a marathon endeavor in its own right, though the BAA does have some suggestions for parking garages. If you're traveling from nearby, we suggest other means: - By train: The MBTA is running a normal weekday schedule, with additional trips on the Framingham/Worcester commuter rail line. Read the T's full marathon guide and map to find stops along the course. The Green Line has you well covered over the last few miles. (Just remember that Copley and a few above-ground Green Line stops will be closed all day for safety reasons.)
- By bike: Beginning today, Bluebikes is offering free $15 credits (technically for Earth Week but a happy coincidence for the marathon). Just enter the code "BCBSEARTHWEEK26" in the rewards section of the Bluebikes mobile app. Click here to see a map of available bikes and stations.
Who to watch: Wondering who's gonna win this thing? Last year's champions, John Korir and Sharon Lokedi, are back to defend their titles. But they each face tough competition. On the men's side, Korir's fellow Kenyan and 2021 champion Benson Kipruto is running Boston for the first time since 2023. And in the elite women's division, North American record holder Emily Sisson is making her Boston debut, hoping for the first American win since Des Linden in 2018. (Fun fact: Linden is also running as a non-professional qualified runner, less than 10 days after finishing a multi-day, 150-mile race through the Sahara Desert.) Read more about the elite field and celebrity runners here. - Not on the starting line: American men's marathon record holder Conner Mantz and last year's women's wheelchair champion Susannah Scaroni both withdrew from the field.
- When to watch the finish: The top wheelchair racers (cough, Marcel Hug) typically break the tape around 10:15 a.m. After that, expect the pro men and women to close in on Boylston Street a little after 11:30 a.m.
P.S.— You can keep tabs on how the race is going and the scenes on the sidelines right here on our Marathon Monday liveblog. |
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