The world’s oldest annual marathon, the Boston Marathon 2026, is here, which is scheduled to take place on Monday, April 20. This will mark the 130th edition of the Massachusetts event, which has been held annually since 1897 on Patriots’ Day. Every year, more than 30,000 runners from around the globe sign up for the track-to-track race from Hopkinton to Boston.
The lineup this year is yet again an affair to remember, as the Kenyan road runner John Korir is set to take the tracks after a dominant performance last year, clocking a 2:04:45 win. Another dominant track prodigy from Kenya, Sharon Lokedi, will also grace the tracks after shattering the women’s course record last year with 2:17:22. This year’s marathon has attracted several big names, including astronaut Sunita Williams and author Chelsea Clinton.
The course is iconic for its long-distance track routes. The race will begin in Hopkinton and wind through several towns, including Ashland and Newton, to the finish line on Boylston Street, located at the heart of Boston.
Given below are all the necessary details every running enthusiast needs to pocket to experience the gusty winds and relentless challenges set for the runners.
Boston Marathon 2026 Start Time (ET)
This year’s marathon will feature a staggered start, which is a six-wave timed strategy to avoid congestion and accidents and ensure the large number of participants get more space. The race starts with the wheelchair division, followed by the elite runners, and ultimately transitions to the general.
- Wheelchair Men – 9:06 a.m.
- Wheelchair Women – 9:09 a.m.
- Handcycles/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 – 10:15 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.
Route Map
The run is a 26.2-mile course, starting at the Athlete’s Village at Hopkinton, followed by Ashland and Framingham. The runners would then land in Natick during mile 11 and then run through the rolling hills of Wellesley. The runners would then enter Newton and run the four-course Newton Hills and then descend into Brookline, pass through the Cleveland circle, and finally end up at Boylston Street in Boston to mark the end.
Hopkinton
Ashland
Framingham
Natick
Wellesley
Newton
Brookline
Boston
For the course map, please click here
Road Closures
The large-scale race has always prompted strict and supervised road closures that will be in place across the entire route, with reopening timing varying from town to town.
Hopkinton – Road Closure time: 7:00 a.m.
Ashland – Road Closure time: 7:00 a.m.
Framingham – Road Closure time: 7:45 a.m.
Natick – Road Closure time: 8:30 a.m.
Wellesley – Road Closure time: 8:30 a.m.
Newton – Road Closure time: 8:00 a.m.
Brookline – Road Closure time: 9:00 a.m.
Boston – Road Closure time: 9:00 a.m.
For more details, please check this out
Elite Runners To Look Out for
The Bank of America Boston Marathon 2026 is scheduled to bring along some of the world’s leading elite track superstars who have already mesmerized every route with their fast feet and have come back with gold wrapped around their necks. This year, both the men’s and women’s divisions are scheduled to see aspiring athletes and reigning champions yet again grace the marathon with their presence.
Women’s Division
- Sharon Lokedi (Kenya)
- Irine Cheptai (Kenya)
- Workenesh Edesa (Ethiopia)
- Loice Chemnung (Kenya)
- Emily Sisson (USA)
Men’s Division
- John Korir (Kenya)
- Benson Kipruto (Kenya)
- Milkesa Mengesha (Ethiopia)
- Cybrian Kotut (Kenya)
- Galen Rupp (USA)
The full list of athletes can be found here.
Where to Watch
The marathon is scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN2 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET on April 20. The race will also be shown on ESPN+ starting at 4 a.m. until 4 p.m. Local Bostoners can watch the event on the regional WCVB Channel 5 (ABC) beginning at 4 a.m. ET.
The race can also be streamed on Fubo.
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