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The 2025 Boston Marathon Is on April 21
Same as every year, the 129th Boston Marathon happens on Monday, April 21, 2025, which is Patriots’ Day with thousands of athletes from around the world coming to Boston.
Patriots’ Day is a holiday only in Massachusetts and Maine that celebrates the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. The 26.2-mile course runs from Hopkinton to Boston’s Back Bay, going through eight Massachusetts towns along the way.
No, You Can’t Join the Race Anymore
If you wanted to qualify for the 2025 Boston Marathon, you’re too late. Registration closed after a five-day period from September 9-13, 2024. The qualifying window ran from September 1, 2023, through September 13, 2024. The competition was tough.
A record 36,406 applications came in from runners in 120 countries and all 50 states. The 2025 ‘Cut-Off’ time was 6 minutes, 51 seconds faster than standard qualifying times, so runners needed to beat their age-group standards by nearly 7 minutes just to get in.
Boston Is the Oldest Annual Marathon in the World
Boston isn’t just another race – it’s the oldest marathon around. Started in 1897, it’s the world’s oldest annual marathon and one of the most respected road races globally.
It’s one of seven World Marathon Majors, along with New York, Chicago, London, Berlin, Tokyo, and now Sydney. John J. McDermott won the first Boston Marathon, finishing in 2:55:10 from a field of just 15 runners. Today’s top runners finish in about 2 hours and 3 minutes.
The Starting Line Is Higher Than Heartbreak Hill
Heartbreak Hill gets all the attention, but the highest point on the course is actually the starting line in Hopkinton at 463 feet above sea level. Heartbreak Hill only reaches 263 feet. What makes it so hard is its placement at mile 20, when runners are already tired.
The course drops about 450 feet from start to finish, but those Newton Hills between miles 16-21 have stopped many runners in their tracks. The final stretch down Boylston Street to the finish line is one of running’s most famous spots.
The Boston Marathon Banned Women Until 1972
Roberta “Bobbi” Gibb became the first woman to run the full Boston Marathon in 1966, hiding in bushes near the start until the race began. The next year, Katherine Switzer registered as ‘K.V. Switzer’ and nearly got pulled off the course when officials realized she was a woman.
Nina Kuscsik became the first official female champion in 1972 after rules changed to allow women. The Boston Marathon rulebook didn’t mention gender until after 1967. Now women make up almost half of all runners.
The Marathon’s Unicorn Symbol
The unicorn seems like a strange mascot for a marathon. It’s been the Boston Athletic Association’s symbol since 1887, 20 years before the first run.
The unicorn was chosen because it represents chasing the impossible, which is something marathon runners understand well. This mythical creature stands for the constant push toward excellence that defines the race.
Patriot’s Day Is a Double Huge Deal in Boston
Patriots’ Day in Boston combines history and sport into one big celebration. A unique tradition is the morning Red Sox game at Fenway Park, with fans leaving afterward to cheer on marathoners. About 500,000 people watch along the course each year, which is nearly 80% of Boston’s population.
From college students at Wellesley and Boston College to families who’ve watched from the same spot for generations, Marathon Monday brings everyone together in a way few events can.
Wellesley College Creates a Wall of Sound for Runners
Halfway through the race, runners will hit one of Boston’s most famous spots. The ‘Scream Tunnel’ at Wellesley College is known as one of the loudest parts of the course, where students line up with signs offering kisses and create a wall of sound.
This tradition goes back decades and has become so well-known that many runners take out their headphones just for this part. The cheering gives runners a boost of energy right when they need it most, at the halfway point when many start to feel tired.
April Weather Can Make the Race Harder
Boston’s April weather can be all over the place. Temperatures typically range between 40-60°F (4-15°C), but conditions vary widely from rain and wind to unexpected heat.
The race has seen scorching 87°F days (2012), pouring rain with headwinds (2018), and perfect running weather. New England spring keeps everyone guessing, and experienced runners know to check the forecast right up until race day.
The Boston Strong Bridge Honors Bombing Victims
After the 2013 bombing near the finish line that killed three people and hurt hundreds, the Boylston Street Bridge got a new name.
The Boston Strong Bridge is now considered one of the most special spots along the course. Security for the marathon increased after 2013, and ‘Boston Strong’ became a phrase that still inspires runners and fans.
Events Run All Weekend Before the Race
The Boston Marathon fills an entire weekend with events, not just Monday’s race. The Marathon Expo and Bib Pickup at the Hynes Convention Center runs throughout the weekend with tons of running-related vendors.
Sunday features the BAA 5K and Invitational Mile races downtown, with Olympic-level athletes competing. From pasta dinners to special exhibits, Boston transforms for marathon weekend. First-time visitors often don’t realize how much happens before the main event, so if you’re in town for the race, make sure to check the calendar.
Watching the 2025 Boston Marathon
Want to see the action in person? Popular viewing spots include the Wellesley Scream Tunnel, Heartbreak Hill near Boston College, and the final stretch on Boylston Street. Use the MBTA (Boston’s public transit) to get around since many roads close for the race.
The Commuter Rail runs special schedules on Marathon Monday, with extra trains on the Framingham/Worcester line. Download the B.A.A. Racing App to track specific runners. If you can’t be there, watch live on WCVB-TV (4:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.) or ESPN2 (9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.).
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