Boston Marathon 2024: What you need to know
Runners cross the starting line during the 127th Boston Marathon, Monday, April 17, 2023, in Hopkinton, Mass. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)
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BOSTON (WPRI) — Runners and spectators will flock to Boston on Monday for the 128th running of the marathon.
Roughly 30,000 athletes from more than 100 countries will be in Massachusetts for the race.
Here’s everything you need to know:
How to watch from home
The race will be televised on ESPN from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
WCVB is also carrying the race locally, with coverage beginning at 4 a.m. and ending at 8 p.m.
When does it start?
| Military March | 6:00 a.m. |
| Men’s Wheelchair | 9:02 a.m. |
| Women’s Wheelchair | 9:05 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 | 10:00 a.m. |
| Wave 2 | 10:25 a.m. |
| Wave 3 | 10:50 a.m. |
| Wave 4 | 11:15 a.m. |
What is the course?
The 26.2-mile race starts in Hopkinton and goes through Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, and Brookline, with a big finish in Copley Square.
What athletes should I watch for?
Men:
- Evans Chebet, of Kenya, has won six marathon titles since 2019, including the last two Boston Marathons
- Zouhair Talbi, of Morocco, won the Houston Marathon this year and placed fifth in the 2023 Boston Marathon
- Sisay Lemma, of Ethiopia, won the London Marathon in 2021 and the Valencia Marathon in 2023
Women:
- Hellen Obiri, of Kenya, won both the Boston and New York City marathons in 2023
- Desiree Linden, of the United States, won the Boston Marathon in 2018 and has twice represented Team USA during the Olympics
- Edna Kiplagat, of Kenya, is a two-time Boston Marathon champion and also has a pair of IAAF World Championship victories
What will the weather be like?
WCVB says Monday’s forecast calls for partly cloudy skies with temperatures around 64 degrees.
Are there activities?
Fan Fest:
Starting Friday, this three-day event at City Hall Plaza is free and open to the public. There will be live music and interviews with past Boston Marathon champions.
- Friday: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Saturday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Sunday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The Expo:
The three-day event at the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center on Boylston Street starts Friday for everyone. Runners can come here to grab their bib number, race packet, and T-shirt. There will also be an Adidas Boston Marathon store, sponsor exhibits, photo opportunities and more.
- Friday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Saturday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sunday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Mile 27:
This post-race party takes place Monday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at City Hall Plaza. There will be live entertainment, concessions and a presentation of champions.
