Boston Marathon Runners line up on the starting line in Hopkinton during the 128th Boston Marathon. David L Ryan/Globe Staff

By Darin Zullo

April 11, 2025

The Boston Marathon is more popular than ever, with the Boston Athletic Association (BAA) receiving a record number of qualifier applications for 2025. Running all the way from Hopkinton to Copley Square, more than 24,000 athletes are competing in this year’s race.

If you’re looking to watch any of those 24,000 athletes, here’s what you need to know about the start times and when runners will be passing by.

Athletes with wheelchairs will lead off just after 9 a.m., followed by handcycles and duos, professionals, and para athletes. From 10 to 11:15 a.m., the four waves of open division runners will start, with one wave setting off every 25 minutes.

• 9:06 a.m. – Men’s Wheelchair
• 9:09 a.m. – Women’s Wheelchair
• 9:30 a.m. – Handcycles & Duos
• 9:37 a.m. – Professional Men
• 9:47 a.m. – Professional Women
• 9:50 a.m. – Para Athletics Division
• 10 a.m. – Wave 1
• 10:25 a.m. – Wave 2
• 10:50 a.m. – Wave 3
• 11:15 a.m. – Wave 4

No spot on the marathon route is more infamous than Heartbreak Hill in Newton, challenging professional and amateur runners alike.

Athletes with wheelchairs are expected to make it to the hill just after 10 a.m. Professional men should be arriving about an hour later at 11:16 a.m., followed by professional women at 11:40 a.m.

For the four open division waves, it depends on each runner’s pace. You can track your favorite runner using the BAA Racing app.

If you want to see athletes make that final push across the finish line on Boylston Street, here’s when you need to get there.

Athletes in wheelchairs will start crossing the line first, with the first men arriving at about 10:22 a.m. and the first women pulling in about 10 minutes later.

Around noon, spectators can see the professionals completing the 26.2-mile race. Professional men will finish just before noon at around 11:45 a.m. and professional women just after at around 12:10 p.m.

Runners in the four open waves will all be crossing the finish line at different times based on their age group’s qualifying times, but the finish line will remain open until 5:30 p.m.

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