The Boston Marathon 2026 is underway, with 30,000 runners taking on the historic 26.2-mile journey from Hopkinton to Copley Square. Here’s a clear look at the race timings, the route and the best place to watch the winners.
Boston Marathon: Start times and early race updates
The race began early in the morning with different divisions starting in sequence. The men’s wheelchair division kicked things off at 9:06am ET, followed by the women’s wheelchair race at 9:09am ET. Handcycles and duos started at 9:30am ET.
Elite runners followed soon after. The professional men began at 9:37am ET, the professional women at 9:47am ET, and the para athletics division at 9:50am ET. The open division runners were released in waves starting at 10am ET, continuing through 11:21am ET.
Also Read: Boston Marathon prize money breakdown: What amount will winners take home?
Where to watch the Boston Marathon 2026?
If you’re planning to follow the Boston Marathon 2026 live, there are several ways to watch both on TV and online.
You can tune in to national coverage on ESPN2 or stream the race on ESPN+. The live broadcast runs from 9am to 12:30pm ET, covering key moments including elite races and finishes.
For viewers in the Boston area, local coverage begins much earlier. WCVB Channel 5 starts broadcasting at 4am ET, offering extended coverage of the race from start to finish.
The marathon is also simulcast across regional stations, including WMUR News 9 ABC (Manchester, NH), WMTW Channel 8 ABC (Portland/Auburn, ME), and WPTZ NBC5 (Burlington, VT/Plattsburgh, NY).
For those who prefer streaming, the race is available live on the Very Local app. You can download the app for free by searching “Very Local” in your device’s app store and watch the marathon coverage from anywhere.
