Annual Patriot’s Day Race Returns with Elite Competitors and Community Spirit
The storied streets of Massachusetts will once again come alive with the thundering footsteps of thousands of runners as the 129th Boston Marathon prepares to showcase both athletic excellence and cherished tradition this Patriots’ Day.
The world’s oldest annual marathon, first held in 1897, continues to stand as one of running’s most prestigious events. Taking place on the third Monday in April to coincide with Massachusetts’ Patriots’ Day commemoration of the American Revolution’s beginning, this year’s race brings together elite professional athletes alongside qualified recreational runners who have met the event’s rigorous standards.
What day is the 2025 Boston Marathon?
The 2025 Boston Marathon will take place on Patriots’ Day, Monday, April 21, continuing the event’s time-honored tradition. Weather forecasts suggest optimal running conditions, with partly cloudy skies, temperatures between 58°F and 47°F, and a humidity level of just 1%.
Where is the 2025 Boston Marathon?
The race will begin on Main Street in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, featuring a primarily downhill route along Route 135. From there, participants will transition onto Route 16 and tackle the Newton Hills before crossing the iconic finish line near the Boston Public Library in Copley Square, at the heart of downtown Boston.
Course details and route information
The iconic 26.2-mile course begins in the small town of Hopkinton before guiding participants through a picturesque journey across eastern Massachusetts. Starting in waves to accommodate the large field of runners, competitors will traverse eight distinct communities before reaching the finish line.
The 2025 Boston Marathon route includes
- Hopkinton – Starting point and home to the athlete’s village
- Ashland – The race’s second town, featuring rolling countryside
- Framingham – Where runners hit their stride along Route 135
- Natick – Home to the halfway point for many runners
- Wellesley – Famous for the “Scream Tunnel” of Wellesley College students
- Newton – Challenging section containing the notorious Heartbreak Hill
- Brookline – The final suburb before entering the city proper
- Boston – Culminating with the iconic finish on Boylston Street
Inclusive competition features multiple divisions
This year’s marathon continues the Boston Athletic Association’s commitment to inclusivity with dedicated para-athletic divisions and the renowned wheelchair competition that has featured some of adaptive sports’ greatest champions.
The wheelchair race, which begins approximately 15 minutes before the elite runners’ start, has become one of the most competitive adaptive sporting events globally since its official introduction in 1975.
How to watch the 2025 Boston Marathon
Spectators unable to join the estimated half-million fans lining the course have multiple viewing options:
Local station WCVB Channel 5 begins comprehensive coverage at 4 a.m. ET, providing pre-race analysis and interviews before the first competitors depart Hopkinton.
For national audiences, ESPN2 will broadcast the main race action from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET, capturing the elite finishes and compelling stories from throughout the field.
- Date: Monday, April 21
- Time: 9 a.m. ET
- TV: ESPN2, WCVB
- Stream: WCVB.com, WCVB app
As Boston prepares to welcome runners from across the globe, this Patriots’ Day tradition continues to exemplify the enduring human spirit of perseverance that has defined the event since its inception more than a century ago.
