Boston Marathon 2025: what you need to know

Tens of thousands of athletes from around the world will return to Boston on April 21, 2025 for the 129th Boston Marathon.

The qualification window for the 129th Boston Marathon opened on September 1, 2023 and registration details will be announced after this year’s race.

The 2024 Boston Marathon, which boasted one of the best elite fields in racing history, took place on a perfect spring day. Sisay Lemma of Ethiopia won the men’s division and Hellen Obiri of Kenya won the women’s division.

Qualifying times for men, women and non-binary runners are listed on the marathon website, along with the qualification rules. Only a certified full marathon distance is accepted. Upcoming marathons can be viewed at marathonguide.com, runnersworld.com and raceraves.com.

The world’s oldest annual marathon, held each year on Patriot’s Day, stretches 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Back Bay in Boston.

Runners begin the historic Boston Marathon route on Main Street in Hopkinton and follow Route 135 through Ashland, Framingham, Natick, and then on to Wellesley. The route continues on Route 16 through Newton Lower Falls before turning onto Commonwealth Avenue, which is Route 30. They follow the avenue through the Newton Hills and pass the reservoir on Chestnut Hill Avenue to Cleveland Circle . After that, riders turn left onto Beacon Street, cross Brookline, pass Kenmore Square, and pass under Massachusetts Avenue. Finally, runners turn right onto Hereford Street and left onto Boylston Street before finishing near the Boston Public Library at Copley Square.

Newton’s famous Heartbreak Hill is one of the most difficult parts of the course. View a route map.

Many events take place around Boston during marathon weekend, such as the Boston Marathon Expo and Fan Fest, as well as the Red Sox morning game at Fenway Park.

The Boston Marathon is televised both locally and nationally.