2025 Boston Marathon: Date, Start Times, Route, and How to Watch Live

The 2025 Boston Marathon is set to take place on Monday, April 21, marking the 129th edition of the world’s oldest marathon. As always, the race is scheduled on Patriots’ Day, a state holiday in Massachusetts that commemorates the start of the American Revolutionary War.

Start Times and Waves

Runners will begin in staggered waves, with the first group starting at 10 a.m. ET, followed by additional waves, with the final wave kicking off around 11:15 a.m. ET. The race course will close at 5:30 p.m. ET, about six hours after the last group starts.

The Marathon Route

The 26.2-mile course starts in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, and winds its way through the towns of Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, and Newton, before heading into Boston and finishing on Boylston Street, near the Boston Public Library. The full course map, including elevation details and mile markers, is available on the official Boston Marathon website.

How to Watch the Boston Marathon

The 2025 Boston Marathon will be broadcast on WCVB Channel 5 in Boston from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, and simulcast on regional sister stations such as WMUR in New Hampshire and NMTW in Maine. For those outside of the Northeast, the race will be available on ESPN from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET.

Defending Champions and Top Contenders

Sisay Lemma of Ethiopia and Hellen Obiri of Kenya return to defend their titles. Lemma won the 2024 men’s race with a time of 2:06:17, while Obiri triumphed in the women’s division, finishing in 2:22:37. Both athletes are returning to continue their pursuit of victory in 2025, with top American contenders like Emma Bates also competing.

The 2025 Race: Special Celebrations

The 129th Boston Marathon is also marking the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War. The festivities began with Paul Revere reenactors riding down Boylston Street, signaling the start of the race. The marathon’s historic backdrop adds an extra layer of meaning to the race, which is being held on Patriots’ Day.

More…

• https://www.wcvb.com/article/crowds-fill-boston-streets-ahead-of-boston-marathon/64531306
• https://halifax.citynews.ca/2025/04/21/boston-marathon-helps-celebrate-the-250th-anniversary-of-the-start-of-the-revolutionary-war
• https://www.overheretoronto.com/boston-marathon