Boston Marathon

Boston Marathon course route

The Boston Marathon is the classic point-to-point course from Hopkinton Green to Boylston Street, dropping net downhill through the western suburbs before the four Newton hills culminate at Heartbreak Hill near mile 20. The early half can feel deceptively fast, and spectator support crests at the Wellesley scream tunnel, along Commonwealth Avenue, and in the packed finish on Boylston.

Boston Marathon route map

Official course map — view on race website

Boston Marathon elevation profile

The Boston Marathon course is net downhill with famous newton hills over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 248 metres of climbing and 388 metres of descent, with a net descent of 140 metres from start to finish.

Boston Marathon elevation profile

Official elevation profile — view on race website

Entry requirements

For the Boston Marathon, a BQ time is the age-group qualifying standard set by the Boston Athletic Association (BAA), ranging from 3:00 for men aged 18–34 to 5:25 for women 80 and over. However, simply meeting the standard rarely guarantees entry — because demand significantly exceeds the ~30,000-place field, runners typically need to beat their standard by 2–5+ minutes to receive an invitation in recent years. Qualifying times must be run at a certified marathon within the registration window.

Boston Marathon course video

Race-day footage from the course to help you picture the route, crowds, and key landmarks on marathon day.

Boston Marathon | Official Course Preview

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Boston Marathon elevation profile?

The Boston Marathon has 248 metres of total climbing and 388 metres of descent over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). The course is net downhill with famous newton hills, with 140 metres of net descent from start to finish.

Where can I find the Boston Marathon route map?

This page includes a Boston Marathon course map showing the full 42.195 km route from start to finish. The official course map is published at www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/course/course-map. Net downhill through through Ashland, Framingham, and Wellesley before the four Newton hills between miles 16 and 21, with Heartbreak Hill at mile 20.

How long is the Boston Marathon?

The Boston Marathon is the standard marathon distance of 42.195 kilometres (26.2 miles), certified to World Athletics rules. Point-to-point road from Hopkinton Green to Boylston Street in Boston's Back Bay.

What time does the Boston Marathon start?

The 2027 Boston Marathon starts at 10:00 am local time on Monday, 19 April 2027. Arrive early for baggage drop and corral access — official race communications on www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon confirm any last-minute schedule changes.

What is a Boston Qualifying (BQ) time and how hard is it to get in?

A BQ time is the age-group qualifying standard set by the Boston Athletic Association (BAA), ranging from 3:00 for men aged 18–34 to 5:25 for women 80 and over. However, simply meeting the standard rarely guarantees entry — because demand significantly exceeds the ~30,000-place field, runners typically need to beat their standard by 2–5+ minutes to receive an invitation in recent years. Qualifying times must be run at a certified marathon within the registration window.

What is Heartbreak Hill and why is it so famous?

Heartbreak Hill is a 0.4-mile (600 m) climb in Newton, between miles 20 and 21, rising approximately 27 metres (88 feet). It is the last and most psychologically punishing of the four Newton Hills runners encounter after mile 16 — arriving precisely when glycogen stores are most depleted. The name originates from 1936, when Johnny Kelley patted the shoulder of Tarzan Brown as he passed him; Brown surged back, effectively breaking Kelley's heart, and the name stuck.

What makes the Boston Marathon course unusual compared to other majors?

Boston is a point-to-point course from Hopkinton to Copley Square in Boston, dropping roughly 140 metres (459 feet) net. That descent makes it ineligible for world record ratification under World Athletics rules, which cap the allowable drop at 1 m per km. The course passes through eight Massachusetts towns and cities, finishing on Boylston Street in front of the Boston Public Library — one of sport's most iconic finish lines.

Can I enter Boston Marathon without a qualifying time?

Yes, through the official Boston Marathon Charity Program. The BAA authorises a limited number of charity bibs each year; runners commit to raising a set minimum, typically $5,000–$8,000 USD depending on the partner organisation. There are also entries for physically challenged and mobility impaired divisions, and a limited number of places through the John Hancock Non-Profit Program for local community organisations.

What is the atmosphere like at the Boston Marathon?

Patriots' Day — the third Monday of April — is a Massachusetts state holiday, meaning hundreds of thousands of spectators line the entire 26.2-mile route. The 'Scream Tunnel' at Wellesley College (around mile 12) is legendary, and the crowd at Boston College near the Newton Hills roars runners up Heartbreak Hill. Nearly 500,000 spectators attend annually, and the combination of earned-entry exclusivity and historic prestige gives Boston a distinctive atmosphere among major marathons.