The 129th Boston Marathon: What to know ahead of the race, how to watch

The 129th Boston Marathon kicks off on the morning of Monday, April 21. And alongside the tens of thousands of runners and wheelchair racers, hundreds of thousands of spectators will line the 26.2-mile route and watch remotely to cheer them on.

The annual race, put on by the Boston Athletic Association (BAA), is a celebratory event that falls in line with the statewide holiday of Patriots’ Day in Massachusetts.

However, with such a large event, disruptions are inevitable to allow the race to run its course smoothly and efficiently.

The Marathon route always begins in Hopkinton and ends on Boylston Street in Boston’s Copley Square.

From Hopkinton’s Town Common, various waves of racers will begin the Marathon, according to the BAA.

Marathon Race Start Times

Men’s Wheelchair Racers: Starts at 9:06 a.m.
Women’s Wheelchair Racers: Starts at 9:09 a.m.
Handcycles & Duos: Starts at 9:30 a.m.
Men’s Professional Runners: Starts at 9:37 a.m.
Women’s Professional Runners: Starts at 9:47 a.m.
Para Athletics Division: Starts at 9:50 a.m.
Wave 1 of Runners: Starts at 10 a.m.
Wave 2 of Runners: Starts at 10:25 a.m.
Wave 3 of Runners: Starts at 10:50 a.m.
Wave 4 of Runners: Starts at 11:15 a.m.

Only limited parking is available for spectators at Hopkinton State Park on the morning of Marathon Monday, according to the BAA.

The race continues on from Hopkinton through Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley (including the half-way point and the famed Wellesley College “Scream Tunnel“), Newton, Brookline and ends in Boston.

Road Closures by Town & City

Hopkinton

Affected roads will be closed from 7:15 a.m. through 1:30 p.m., according to the BAA.
Roads immediately surrounding the start line including Main, Ash and Park streets and Hayden Rowe will close at 6:30 a.m., according to Hopkinton’s town website. Other roads leading to Hopkinton’s downtown will close for general travel at 7 a.m.
West Main Street will be blocked at Lumber Street; Wood Street will be blocked at Elm Street; Hayden Rowe will be blocked at Chestnut Street; Ash Street will be blocked at Blueberry Lane; Cedar Street will be blocked at Legacy Farm North; East Main Street will be blocked at each intersection.
All roadways adjacent to the roads with runners, volunteers and spectators will also be blocked.

Ashland

Affected roads will be closed from 7:15 a.m. through 1:20 p.m., according to the BAA.
The Ashland Police Department said that eastbound and westbound traffic will close at 7:15 a.m. on Route 135. Cross traffic will be allowed until 8:30 a.m.

Framingham

Affected roads will be closed from 7:30 a.m. through 1:55 p.m., according to the BAA.
Traffic will be closed to vehicles along the race route of Waverly Street (Route 135).

Natick

Affected roads will be closed from 8:30 a.m. through 2:45 p.m., according to the BAA.
Traffic will be closed to vehicles along the race route of West Central and East Central streets (Route 135). The road will not be crossable during this time, according to the Natick Police Department.

Wellesley

Affected roads will be closed from 8:30 a.m. through 3:35 p.m., according to the BAA.
Central Street (Route 135) will be closed from the Natick town line to Grove Street.
Washington Street (Route 16) will be closed from Grove Street to the Newton town line.
The only way to cross the route by car will be Worcester Street (Route 9) underneath Washington Street (Route 16), according to the Wellesley town website.

Newton

Affected roads will be closed from 8 a.m. through 4:45 p.m., according to the BAA.
Washington Street (Route 16) and Commonwealth Avenue (Route 30) will be closed to cars from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., according to the Newton Police Department.
All feeder streets along the race route will be closed 60 feet back from it.

Brookline

Affected roads will be closed from 9 a.m. through 5:45 p.m., according to the BAA.
Beacon Street will be closed to cars from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. according to the Brookline Police Department.

Boston

Affected roads will be closed from “variable” start times through 7 p.m., according to the BAA.
See full parking and vehicle stopping restrictions enforced over Marathon weekend from the City of Boston here.

The MBTA

For those looking to ride the MBTA on April 21, service will largely be unaffected, with some exceptions. The MBTA offers an alternative to road closures to get around on Marathon Monday.

The transit authority said that Copley Station near the Marathon’s finish line will be closed for the entire day. Additionally, other Green Line stations at South Street, Kent Street, and Saint Mary’s Street will be closed from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday.

The Red, Orange, Green and Blue Line trains and Silver Line buses will operate on a normal weekday schedule, with additional service before and after the race, the MBTA said.

Read More: Sunny skies forecasted: Will it be too warm for Boston Marathon runners Monday?

Additional train frequency will occur on the Framingham/Worcester commuter rail line, which largely parallels the Marathon route, according to the MBTA. Other commuter rail lines will operate on their typical weekday schedule.

The MBTA will also bar bikes, including folding bikes, from its subway system and its Framingham/Worcester Line trains on Monday. The ban on bikes for the commuter rail line will be implemented at 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 20, the MBTA added.

Passengers who use The Ride service from the MBTA can expect a regular weekday schedule, but vehicles may be detoured due to the Marathon.

Passengers on all MBTA buses can expect Saturday schedule service. But some may be detoured due to the Marathon.

Read More: From motocross prodigy to Boston Marathon wheelchair, Jason Fowler races through adversity

Routes 55 and 65 will be suspended for the day. Route 1 will see increased service from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Routes 7, 501 and 504 will see increased Saturday service schedules.

Routes 8, 9, 10, 43, 51, 57, 60, 62, 86, 94, 95, 101 and 350 will be detoured or shortened, while routes 47, 59 and 66 will be split into two routes.

Passengers on MBTA ferries will be unaffected.

How to Get To The Finish Area

Due to Copley station on the Green Line being shuttered due to its proximity to the finish line, the BAA recommends other ways to access the finish area.

Passengers taking the MBTA’s Green Line trolleys can get off at Kenmore and Hynes Convention Center stations close to the finish area along Boylston Street.

Alternatively, on the eastern side of the finish area, Arlington station on the Green Line is only three blocks from the finish line.

The Orange Line’s Back Bay station is a short walk from the finish line and will be open all day, too.

The Worcester/Framingham Commuter Rail line also makes stops at Bay Back and Lansdowne stations close to the race course.

If travelers must drive, the BAA reminds drivers that roads near the finish line will close at 7:15 a.m. and traffic will be heavy, so allow for “ample time” to travel.

Bag & Item Policies for Spectators at The Finish Area

Several rules will apply for spectators who wish to cheer on Marathon participants from the physical sidelines near the finish line in Boston.

Spectators entering viewing areas at this section of the course may be asked to pass through security checkpoints and may have their bags and items inspected by security personnel, the BAA said.

Read More: Boston ramps up security for 129th marathon with barriers, checkpoints

Officially discouraged items, according to the BAA, are:

Weapons of any kind (including firearms, knives, mace)
Backpacks or any similar items carried over the shoulder
Suitcases and rolling bags
Coolers
Glass containers or cans
Flammable liquids, fuels, fireworks or explosives
Any container able to carry more than one liter of liquid
Handbags, packages and bulky items bigger than 12 inches by 12 inches by six inches
Large blankets, duvets and sleeping bags
Costumes covering one’s face and bulky, non-form-fitting outfits
Props (including sporting equipment, military and fire gear)
Use of drones (Applies to the entire course and is strictly prohibited)

Spectators are also asked to follow these rules during Marathon Monday, the BAA said:

Don’t use bikes, scooters, strollers or unauthorized vehicles on the race course.
Don’t throw items onto the course.
Don’t use discriminatory or offensive language or make obscene gestures.
Don’t verbally or physically harass others.
Don’t leave behind trash.
Be respectful of one’s surroundings and others nearby.

How to Watch on TV & Online

The 129th Boston Marathon is available to watch live on TV for those in the Boston area exclusively through WCVB Channel 5 (ABC) starting at 4 a.m. on April 21.

The broadcast will be simulcast to WMUR-TV in Manchester, New Hampshire, WMTW-TV in Portland/Auburn, Maine, and WPTZ-TV NBC5 in Burlington, Vermont/Plattsburgh, New York.