Boston
Boston Marathon · Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America
By Global Marathon Routes editorial teamPublished Last updated
Interactive course map
aid stations: 17 · landmarks: 10Official course map
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Race facts
Boston Marathon presented by Bank of AmericaLandmarks along the way
- StartHopkinton
- 6 kmAshland
- 11 kmFramingham
- 16 kmNatick Center
- 20 kmWellesley College
- 33 kmHeartbreak Hill, Newton
- 36 kmCleveland Circle
- 39 kmCoolidge Corner
- 41 kmKenmore Square
- FinishCopley Square
Aid stations and timing points
Major stations modelled on the published course maps, plus the half marathon split. Real races place stations closer together, so treat the spacing as indicative.
Course guide
Boston is the oldest annual marathon in the world, first run in 1897, and the only major that requires a qualifying time for most of the field. The course is a point-to-point line from rural Hopkinton into downtown Boston, with a net downhill profile that makes it deceptively fast.
The course
The first 16 km drop through Ashland, Framingham, Natick and Wellesley. The Wellesley College scream tunnel, where students line the road, is the loudest point of the race and sits roughly at the 20 km mark. From there the course rolls through Newton: four named hills, ending with Heartbreak Hill at about 32 km, the point where the downhill advantage usually gets paid back.
The final 10 km descend into Boston, past Boston College and Cleveland Circle, then along Beacon Street and into the city. The last mile is flat and straight on Boylston Street, with the finish in front of the Boston Public Library at Copley Square.
| Section | KM | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Hopkinton to Ashland | 0 to 8 | Steep early descent, do not sprint |
| Framingham to Natick | 8 to 20 | Rolling, fast, well supported |
| Wellesley | 20 to 23 | Scream tunnel, flat |
| Newton hills | 23 to 34 | Four climbs, Heartbreak Hill last |
| Brookline to Boston | 34 to 42.195 | Long descent, then flat to the line |
Aid stations and the half split
Aid stations are frequent and volunteer-run, with a long tradition of local clubs and colleges hosting them. The half marathon split falls near the end of the Wellesley stretch, before the Newton hills. Energy gels are handed out in the Newton and Brookline sections, and medical tents are positioned near the major hills and the finish.
What to watch for
- The early descent. The first 8 km lose more elevation than any other major. Runners who bank time here usually meet the Newton hills in trouble.
- Heartbreak Hill. It is not steep, but it arrives at 32 km and is followed by more climbing.
- Weather whiplash. April in New England can deliver sun and 20 °C, or cold rain and headwind. The course runs east, so a headwind is a real factor.
- Qualifying standard. Entry requires a BQ time, so the field is deep.
Records
| Category | Time | Athlete | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men's course record | 2:01:52 | John Korir | 2024 |
| Women's course record | 2:17:22 | Sharon Lokedi | 2025 |
Practical notes
- Race day: Patriots' Day, the third Monday of April. The next edition is scheduled for 19 April 2027.
- Entry: qualifying time (BQ), charity places, or an official tour programme. Registration opens in the autumn before race year and fills fast.
- Getting there: the start is in Hopkinton, reached by official buses from Boston Common. The finish is downtown, a short walk from Copley and Back Bay stations.
- Weather: typically 5 to 15 °C, but snow and heat are both on record.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to what runners ask most about this race. Every figure is checked against the official sources listed below.
When is the Boston Marathon?
It is run on Patriots' Day, the third Monday of April. The next edition is scheduled for 19 April 2027. Boston is the oldest annual marathon in the world, first run in 1897.
Do you need a qualifying time to enter?
Yes. Most of the field gets in with a Boston qualifying time, and the standard is faster than the cut-off for the race it was run at, so runners need a margin rather than an exact match. Charity places and official tour programmes are the other routes in, and registration opens in the autumn before race year.
Is the Boston Marathon a fast course?
It is deceptively fast. The point-to-point route drops about as much elevation as any major in the first 16 km, but the four Newton hills, ending with Heartbreak Hill at around 32 km, take that advantage back. The course record of 2:01:52 shows what the course can do in the right conditions.
What is Heartbreak Hill?
It is the last of the four Newton hills, at roughly the 32 km mark. It is not steep by itself, but it arrives late and is followed by more climbing, which is why it decides so many races.
What is the weather like on race day?
April in New England swings hard: 5 to 15 °C is typical, but cold rain, snow and unseasonal heat are all on record. The course runs east, so a headwind is a real factor in the closing miles.
Where does the Boston Marathon start and finish?
It starts in Hopkinton, reached by official buses from Boston Common, and finishes on Boylston Street at Copley Square in downtown Boston.
About this guide
Compiled by the site's editorial team from public race-organizer publications, course maps and results, then re-checked against the official race site before publishing. Course traces on the map follow the organizer's published course, simplified for the screen.
By
Global Marathon Routes editorial team
- Published
- Last updated
Checked against the official sources listed on this page.
Sources for this guide
Facts, dates and records on this page are taken from the primary sources below. Always confirm race-day details with the organizer.
Related links
Encyclopaedia entries for this race and the organizer's own site: history, records and background reading beyond this guide.