It’s time for the 2024 Boston Marathon as one of the most famous sporting events in Massachusetts takes over a 26.2-mile stretch of the state on Patriots Day. Local TV coverage of the Marathon will air on WCVB while national coverage will air on ESPN2. Viewers can watch the Marathon for free by signing up for a trial of fuboTV.
- LIVE STREAM: Sign up here to watch the Marathon
This year marks the 128th running of the Boston Marathon and the 100th race to start from Hopkinton, Massachusetts. Coverage for the race has a 4 a.m. EST start time, well before the first racers hit the course shortly after 9 a.m. The weather forecast for April 15 in Boston looks like we’ll have a great day for a race. Here’s all the info you need to watch Marathon coverage all day long:
How to watch the 2024 Boston Marathon
What time does the race start? (All times EST) – The race starts with the Men’s wheelchair division at 9:02 a.m. The first runners to take the course will be the elite men at 9:37 a.m. The race will fully open up with general entries at 10 a.m. EST.
What time does TV coverage start? What TV channels will air the race locally and nationally? – Local race-day coverage will start at 4 a.m. on Channel 5, WCVB in Boston. National coverage will start at 8:30 a.m. on ESPN2. TV coverage will run until 1 p.m. locally and nationally. WCVB will have post-race coverage until 8 p.m.
The race will also be simulcast on WMUR in New Hampshire, WMTW in Maine and WPTZ in Vermont/New York.
National coverage will start at 8:30 a.m. on ESPN. Fans can watch the race for free by signing up for DirecTV or fuboTV, which both have free trials (the WCVB broadcast is only available locally).
Live stream options: fuboTV | Sling | DirecTV – Fans can watch the race for free by signing up for DirecTV or fuboTV, which both have free trials.
Those who have a cable subscription can also use the login credentials from their TV provider to stream the race via WatchESPN or the ESPN app.
Viewers can also watch the race locally via the WCVB app and wcvb.com. Race coverage will also stream for free on the Very Local Boston app, which is available on smart TVs and streaming devices like Roku.
How to watch the Marathon for free – Viewers can sign up for a free trial of fuboTV and watch via WCVB if you live in the Boston TV market or nationally via ESPN. Viewers can also watch for free by downloading the Very Local Boston app, which is available on Roku and other streaming devices.
Full Boston Marathon start time schedule
9:02 a.m. – Men’s wheelchair
9:05 a.m. – Women’s Wheelchair
9:30 a.m. – Handcycles and duos
9:37 a.m. – Elite men
9:47 a.m. – Elite women
9:57 a.m. – Para athletics division
10 a.m. – Wave 1
10:25 a.m. – Wave 2
10:50 a.m. – Wave 3
11:15 a.m. – Wave 4
Check out MassLive’s Boston Marathon page for more coverage from the race.
