A spectator's guide to the 2022 Boston Marathon: What to know
(Editor's note: If you're looking for information on this year's race, click here.)
You take your Dunks iced in the winter, know that “barrels” means trash day and wisely avoid Comm. Ave. on Marathon Monday.
You’re from Massachusetts, and there’s a good chance you may be one of the thousands of spectators expected along the Boston Marathon course on April 18.
“From a spectator’s perspective, the Boston Marathon is a time when all of the cities along the course almost shut down completely,” said Dan Darcy, marketing director at Marathon Sports, which has running gear stores along the course in Wellesley, Brookline and Boston.
“You have people lining 26.2 miles of road out there, cheering for you all along the way from the very start, all the way to the finish,” Darcy said last fall, ahead of the 2021 marathon. “And you don't get that in every marathon that you're running.”
Streaming, live, primetime and more: The 2022 Boston Marathon is April 18. Here's how to watch the Boston Marathon 2022.
Want to watch this year's Marathon? Here’s what you need to know.
When does the Boston Marathon start?
Military march: 6 a.m.
Men’s wheelchair: 9:02 a.m.
Women’s wheelchair: 9:05 a.m.
Handcycles and duos: 9:30 a.m.
Professional men: 9:37 a.m
Professional women: 9:45 a.m.
Para athletics: 9:50 a.m.
Wave 1: 10 a.m.
Wave 2: 10:25 a.m.
Wave 3: 10:50 a.m.
Wave 4: 11:15 a.m.
Runners are assigned to waves based on their bib numbers, which also correspond with the time of their transportation to the start line in Hopkinton, according to the Boston Athletic Association, the Marathon’s organizer.
Spectators can use the B.A.A. Racing App to track individual runners live.
How long is the Boston Marathon?: The distance remains the same, but your times may vary
Boston Marathon route: Where should you watch?
When it comes to picking a spot to watch the Boston Marathon, there are no wrong choices.
“I don’t really think there’s a bad seat; it’s like Fenway — a good feeling the whole way,” said Dan Fitzgerald, co-founder of Heartbreak Hill Running Company and head coach of the sporting good stores' associated running team, the Heartbreakers. The company's Newton location sits right at Mile 20 on the eponymous hill.
Fitzgerald suggested the Massachusetts Avenue bridge over Commonwealth Avenue for an interesting vantage point, as spectators can watch runners from above and easily cross to the other side of the course.
Heartbreak Hill, which sends tired athletes up a challenging incline, makes an ideal place for cheering spectators, said Darcy.
“When you’re going up and down those hills, it’s a series and it lives up to its name,” he said. “So with people cheering for you all along that way, you’re a little bit more energized and more likely to make it through.”
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Darcy said spectators can also find a “unique experience” at Wellesley College’s "Scream Tunnel" around the halfway mark. There, Wellesley students have been known to motivate runners with signs, cheers and even kisses.
Other popular viewing spots include the start line in Hopkinton and the finish line near Copley Square in Boston, Darcy’s personal favorite.
From 2021: For competitors to spectators, Hopkinton's Marathon tradition begins anew
“That’s where you’re seeing people realizing that they’re accomplishing what can be a lifelong goal of finishing the Boston Marathon,” he said. “The emotions are at their highest on Boylston Street.”
The B.A.A. spectator guide also offers a town-by-town breakdown of how to watch along the course.
How to get to the 2022 Boston Marathon on the MBTA
Most of the course is accessible via public transportation, with parts of the Framingham/Worcester commuter rail line and the Green Line’s B, C and D branches within walking distance. Plan your trip with the MBTA’s online trip planner.
Copley Station will be closed for the entire day on April 18, though nearby Arlington (all Green Line branches), Prudential (Green Line E branch), Hynes Convention Center (Green Line B, C and D branches) and Back Bay (Orange Line) stations will be open. The above-ground Green Line stops at South Street (B branch), Kent Street and St. Mary’s Street (C branch) will be closed from approximately 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., according to the MBTA's Marathon Guide.
The Red, Orange, Blue and Silver Lines will run on a regular weekday schedule, with additional service before and after the race. Buses will also run on their regular schedule, though some routes may be detoured around the Marathon.
MBTA service starts around 5 a.m., and there will be a $15 commuter rail Marathon pass available for unlimited all-day use. You can purchase a $12.75 unlimited one-day pass for use on buses and subway lines, available at station fare vending machines.
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If driving, keep in mind some roads will be closed on Marathon Monday, and parking may be limited in certain locations. There will be limited parking for spectators at the 171 South St. parking lot in Hopkinton. On-street parking will be “extremely limited” near the finish line, according to the B.A.A. There are parking garages in the area, though some may be inaccessible on race day.
Daily parking rates at MBTA stations vary, and you can check real-time MBTA parking garage availability on Twitter @MBTA_Parking.
Boston Marathon road closures
Hopkinton: 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Ashland: 6:15 a.m. to 1:20 p.m.
Framingham: 7:30 a.m. to 1:55 p.m.
Natick: 7:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Wellesley: 7:30 a.m. to 3:35 p.m.
Newton: 7 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Brookline: 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Boston: Variable to 7 p.m.
Best practices for spectators
“First tip: Never tell them they’re almost there, unless you’re standing on Boylston Street,” Darcy said. “When you get somebody yelling, ‘You’re almost there’ at Mile 20, it’s very heartbreaking.”
Energetic cheers and funny signs make a difference, Fitzgerald said last fall.
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Hundreds of thousands of spectators come out of the Boston Marathon course each year. Here are some of the best signs we have seen.
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Athletes “remember specific signs and they remember people who gave them a real, authentic boost,” he said. “So I think just give them what you’ve got — the runners appreciate it.”
2021 Boston Marathon: Photos as runners pass through Metrowest towns
If you’re heading to the finish line, Darcy advised packing light and double-checking compliance with B.A.A. security policies.
“You don’t want to have anything that’s going to keep you away from the finish line,” he said.
What to leave at home due to security restrictions
The B.A.A. discourages spectators from bringing various items to the course, including: drones, weapons, backpacks or bulky handbags, suitcases, glass containers, flammable liquids, fireworks and large blankets or sleeping bags.
Spectators may be asked to pass through security checkpoints at some B.A.A. event venues and viewing areas along the course. The B.A.A. suggests using a clear plastic bag for personal items to expedite the security screening process.
For more information on discouraged items and security checkpoints, visit baa.org/races/boston-marathon/watch/spectators.
COVID-19 restrictions and policies
While you can’t bring your drone or sleeping bag to the Boston Marathon, you may want to bring your face mask — the MBTA still requires masks on public transportation.
Related: Natick first responders lauded for saving Marathon runner from heart attack
Likewise, athletes will need to wear masks on Boston Marathon official buses and in medical tents. Athletes must also provide proof of vaccination ahead of race day. The B.A.A. is asking athletes and spectators alike to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 by practicing personal responsibility.
Where to go when you need to go
Porta-potties will be located at every water and medical station, as well as other locations along the course, according to the B.A.A. Poland Spring Water and Lemon Lime Gatorade Endurance Formula stations will be located at every mile, beginning at Mile 2. There will also be 26 medical stations along the course.
Boston Marathon Route: Here are places to get food with a view
If you’re looking to do your spectating from a restaurant, there are many options along the course. Among them:
TJ's Food and Spirits, 355 West Union St., Ashland
Morse Tavern, 85 East Central St., Natick
The Local, 11 Forest St., Wellesley
Cityside Tavern, 1960 Beacon St., Brighton
The Washington Square Tavern, 714 Washington St., Brookline
Atlantic Fish Co., 761 Boylston St., Boston (check out their marathon watch party)
Find more restaurants along the course here (but double check hours and availability):
Who to follow on social media
For live updates and marathon coverage, follow these Twitter accounts:
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Boston Marathon 2022 Spectator Guide: Start times to traffic closure
