How to watch the Boston Marathon: Live stream the 129th race
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Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
Marathon Monday is here, and about 30,000 participants are scheduled to make their way through the Greater Boston area. We've put together everything you need to know about how to watch the Boston Marathon, including local and national viewing options.
Since its inception in 1897, the Boston Marathon has become one of the most beloved — and most difficult to qualify for — marathons in the world. The Abbott World Marathon Major spans 26.2 miles of Greater Boston, with runners starting in Hopkinton and touring through several Massachusetts neighborhoods on their way into the city center. The race wraps up on Boylston Street near Copley Square, about five or six miles after the iconic Heartbreak Hill.
Sisay Lemma and Hellen Obiri are the defending men's and women's champions, respectively. Should Obiri win again, it will be a threepeat. Several celebrities also hit the course each year, so it's worth keeping your eyes out for any familiar faces while watching.
Whether you're in Boston or elsewhere, we'll ensure you can watch the event. Keep reading to learn all of the best options, including live streaming services for those without cable.
What channel is the Boston Marathon on?
Boston Marathon coverage will be nationally broadcast on ESPN2 in the United States. Coverage kicks off at 9 a.m. ET and is scheduled to air on the network until 12:30, so viewers will be able to watch all of the winners cross the finish line.
If you live in New England, you can watch the Boston Marathon on WCVB — that's Channel 5 ABC in Boston — with your antenna. However, this isn't a sport with local blackouts, so you can also tune into the ESPN2 coverage if you want.
How to watch the Boston Marathon in the US
If you don't have cable and you're still hoping to tune in, you can do so through ESPN Plus or a live TV streaming channel package such as Sling TV, DirecTV, or Fubo.
ESPN Plus is the absolute cheapest way to live stream the Boston Marathon at a national level. Subscriptions cost $12/month and unlock a variety of live sports events, including select NFL, NHL, and college games. Boston Marathon live streams kick off on the app at 4 a.m. ET and will last until 8 p.m.
Sling TV is one of the cheapest live TV streaming channel packages, especially when it comes to streaming sports networks. You'll need to sign up for the Sling Orange plan, which carries ESPN2 and 34 other live channels for $46/month. This plan also offers ESPN, TNT, AMC, and other popular cable channels.
If you're looking for something more sports-focused or with even more channels, something like DirecTV's MySports plan or Fubo's Pro plan might be of interest. DirecTV carries ESPN2 and 25+ key sports networks in its MySports lineup. Subscriptions cost $70/month and come with a five-day free trial. Fubo Pro carries ESPN2 and 150+ live channels for $85/month. New users can get up to $30 off their first month of service after a seven-day free trial.
How to watch the Boston Marathon from anywhere
If you're traveling outside the US and hoping to keep up with your usual Boston Marathon viewing methods, you can do so with the aid of a VPN. VPNs, or virtual private networks, are quick and easy ways to alter your device's virtual location. This way, your usual websites and apps work just like they would back home. Plus, they're great ways to boost your online security and privacy. This option will work best for Americans who are simply abroad at the moment, since the services we've outlined require US methods of payment.
ExpressVPN is our tried-and-true go-to VPN. It's user-friendly, even for beginners, and has a hassle-free 30-day money-back guarantee if you find that it's not what you're looking for. Our ExpressVPN review provides a full breakdown.
How to watch the Boston Marathon with a VPN
- Sign up for a VPN if you don't already have one.
- Install it on the device you're using to watch.
- Turn it on and set it to a US location.
- Sign up for one of the above streaming services.
- Enjoy the race!
What time do runners cross the finish line?
Runners spend the whole day crossing the finish line, but if you're hoping to see who wins the elite divisions of the race, we recommend tuning in by 11:30 a.m. ET, just to make sure you don't miss anything. The men's elite race kicks off at 9:37 p.m. ET and the women's elite race kicks off at 9:47 p.m. ET. The very top men's racers usually finish about 3-10 minutes after the 2-hour mark, with record-holder Geoffrey Mutai finishing at 02:03:02. Obiri's winning 2024 time was 02:22:37, so you can most likely expect to see the winner of the women's race a little after noon ET this year.
Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Business Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.