What time does the Boston Marathon start? Full schedule, TV channel, live stream to watch 2025 race

Cate Schiller

What time does the Boston Marathon start? Full schedule, TV channel, live stream to watch 2025 race image

Joseph Prezioso

When it comes to marathons, the Boston Marathon is often considered one of the most iconic and anticipated. The 129th edition of the beloved race is just days away.

Spanning seven cities across the region, the Boston Marathon takes runners on a 26.2-mile trail from the suburbs of Hopkinton to the hustle and bustle of Copley Square downtown. 

Tens of thousands of the world's best runners are ready to converge on the streets of Boston to complete a lifetime achievement — don't miss out on the action.

Here's everything you need to know about the 129th Boston Marathon, including schedule and start time for the annual race.

Boston Marathon 2025 start time

  • Date: Monday, April 21
  • Time: 9 a.m. ET

The first start time for the 2025 Boston Marathon is at 9:02 a.m. ET, when the men's Wheelchair Division kicks off race day. Different divisions will begin the race throughout the following hours.

Boston Marathon 2025 TV channel, live stream

  • TV channel: ESPN2 (national), WCVB (local), TSN/RDS (Canada)
  • Live stream: Fubo

The Boston Marathon will air nationally on ESPN2 and locally on ABC affiliate WCVB. Fans can also live stream the action on Fubo.

Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and 200+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)

Boston Marathon 2025 schedule

Below is a full schedule for Monday's events.

  • 9:02 a.m. Wheelchair Division: Men's Start
  • 9:05 a.m. Wheelchair Division: Women's Start
  • 9:30 a.m. Handcycle & Duo Participants Start
  • 9:37 a.m. Professional Men's Start
  • 9:45 a.m. Professional Women's Start
  • 9:50 a.m. Para Athletics Division Start
  • 9:56 a.m. National Anthem
  • 9:58 a.m. Flyover by two C-130s out of the Bradley Air National Guard Base
  • 10 a.m. Wave 1 Start
  • 10:03 a.m. Grand Marshals Arrival at Boylston Street finish line
  • 10:23 a.m. Men's Wheelchair Division approximate finish time
  • 10:25 a.m. Wave 2 Start
  • 10:37 a.m. Women's Wheelchair Division approximate finish time
  • 10:50 a.m. Wave 3 Start
  • 11:15 a.m. Wave 4 Start
  • 11:44 a.m. Professional Men's approximate finish time
  • 12:08 p.m. Professional Women's approximate finish time
  • 12:25 p.m. Para Athletics Divisions top finishers approximate time

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Cate Schiller

Cate Schiller is an editorial intern for The Sporting News affiliate and commercial content team, focused on global partnerships supporting live events, entertainment and travel. Originally from Northern California, she graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison with a bachelor's degree in journalism and sports communications. Prior to joining The Sporting News, Cate was the Life and Style editor at her college newspaper, and a sports reporter at her hometown newspaper. In her free time, she enjoys baking, getting outdoors and discovering new music.