Boston Marathon

Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Country: United States
Website: https://www.baa.org
2025 Marathon Date: 21/04/2025
2026 Marathon Date: 20/04/2026
Winning Time 2025: 2:04:45
% Sub-3s: 10–15%
# Sub-3s: 5000+
Total Runners: 40k+

The Boston Marathon is one of the most prestigious and historic road races in the world, held every spring in Massachusetts. First run in 1897, it is the oldest annual marathon and remains a bucket-list event for amateur and elite runners alike. With a point-to-point course running from Hopkinton to Boston, it draws a deep international field and a fervent local crowd.

The route is famously net downhill but far from easy. The early miles drop sharply, followed by a series of undulations through the towns of Ashland, Framingham, and Wellesley. The second half of the course includes the renowned Newton Hills, culminating in Heartbreak Hill just after mile 20. The final stretch descends into downtown Boston, where runners are greeted by roaring crowds along Boylston Street.

Spring in New England can be unpredictable. Runners may encounter anything from cool and overcast conditions to warm sun or headwinds. While average temperatures typically sit between 8–15°C, race-day weather has varied considerably over the years, and wind direction plays a major role in pacing strategy due to the linear layout of the course.

Entry is via a qualifying time or charity place, and the performance-based qualification system means the field is disproportionately strong compared to most major marathons. For sub-3 runners, Boston is both a reward and a test: it demands tactical discipline over its rolling terrain, yet offers the kind of atmosphere and tradition that few races can match.

Crowd support is dense and energetic from start to finish, with notable highlights including the Wellesley College “scream tunnel” and the stadium-like noise through Brookline and into Boston proper. Aid stations are frequent and well-stocked, and logistics are finely tuned.

The Boston Marathon is not designed for fast times alone. It’s an event steeped in legacy and competitive spirit. For many sub-3 runners, simply earning a place on the start line is a significant mlestone - completing the race well is the ultimate validation of disciplined, long-term training.