Happy Patriots’ Day, running fans! The 129th Boston Marathon is here, with over 30,000 runners pounding the pavement from Hopkinton to Boston’s iconic Boylston Street. Whether you’re tracking a loved one, cheering for pros like Hellen Obiri, or saying goodbye to legend Des Linden, here’s your ultimate guide to the 2025 race.
🏁 Race Highlights & Key Updates
- Defending champs return: Ethiopia’s Sisay Lemma (men’s) and Kenya’s Hellen Obiri (women’s) aim to dominate again.
- S. drought watch: No American woman has won since Des Linden in 2018; men’s last victory was 2014.
- Des Linden’s farewell: The 2018 champion races her final professional marathon today before switching to ultramarathons.
📲 How to Track Runners & Watch Live
Bib Tracking
- Visit org and search by name, bib number, or group.
- Download the Boston Athletic Association app for real-time updates.
Watch Live
- TV: ESPN2 (9:00 AM – 12:30 PM ET).
- Streaming: ESPN+ (simulcast).
👟 Des Linden’s Retirement: Ending a Legendary Career
The 41-year-old announced on Instagram:
“Getting to race my final marathon in Boston is going out on top. Thanks for all the years and cheers!”
Fast Facts:
- 3x World Marathon Medalist, 2x Olympian (2012, 2016).
- Shifting focus to ultramarathons and trail races post-retirement.
🎯 2025 Favorites to Win
Women’s Race
- Hellen Obiri (Kenya): Eyes a historic three-peat (last achieved in 1999).
- American hopefuls: Keep an eye on Emma Bates and Aliphine Tuliamuk.
Men’s Race
- Sisay Lemma (Ethiopia): Defending champ faces stiff competition.
- S. dark horse: Conner Mantz, 8th in the 2024 Olympics, could break the men’s drought.
🗺️ Route Map & Start Times
- Route: Hopkinton → Ashland → Framingham → Natick → Wellesley → Newton → Brookline → Boston (26.2 miles).
- Key Start Times:
- Wheelchair: 9:06 AM (men), 9:09 AM (women).
- Pro Men: 9:37 AM | Pro Women: 9:47 AM.
- Para Athletes: 9:50 AM | Amateurs: Four waves post-10 AM.
📉 How to Qualify for Boston (It’s Tough!)
- 2025 Qualifying Times:
- Men under 50: 3:25:00 | Women/Non-binary under 50: 3:55:00.
- 2026 Standards: 5 minutes faster than 2025.
- Reality Check: 12,324 qualified runners were rejected for 2025—only the fastest made it.
🤔 FAQs
- How long is the Boston Marathon?
26.2 miles—equivalent to running from NYC’s Central Park to Stamford, Connecticut!
- What’s the average pro finish time?
Men’s winners typically finish under 2:10:00 (a blazing 4:58/mile pace!).
- Where’s the finish line?
Boylston Street, Boston—a bucket-list moment for runners.
- Will Des Linden race again?
Yes! She’ll tackle ultramarathons and trails post-retirement.
- Why is Boston so hard to qualify for?
Limited spots + strict time cuts. Only ~20% of qualifiers get in.
🎉 Final Thoughts
From the electric crowds at Wellesley College to the grueling Heartbreak Hill, the Boston Marathon is a celebration of grit and community. Will Hellen Obiri three-peat? Can Conner Mantz shock the world? Tune in now—and don’t forget to track your favorite runners!
What’s your Boston Marathon story? Share your race-day excitement in the comments or tag us on social media!
Keywords: Boston Marathon 2025 live, track Boston Marathon runners, Des Linden retirement, Boston qualifying times, Hellen Obiri, Sisay Lemma
