Image Credit: Boston Marathon Facebook Page

As the world’s oldest annual marathon and one of the most anticipated, top marathons around the world, The Boston Marathon once again excites both runners and fans alike as it prepares for the big race happening on April 18, 2022.

It’s a big event that is expected to bring runners around the world and spectators from different cities. If you are planning to witness the event on the ground, make sure to plan ahead! Read further to check additional details about this major event in Boston.

How to Qualify for Boston Marathon

Qualifying for the Boston Marathon highly depends on the official qualifying time that a runner achieves on or after September 1, 2019. The qualifying time is assessed based on age group, and the best times within those classifications are given the chance to participate in the marathon, after registration. 

For a complete list of the Boston Marathon qualifying times and requirements per age group, check the B.A.A. page.

Boston Marathon Registration

The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) held the 2022 registration for five days, from November 8 to November 12, 2021. All submissions grant them the chance to participate in the 2022 race, as long as their qualifying time passes and is verified. For the first time since 2013, the “cut-off” time is 0 minutes and 0 seconds.

The 126th Boston Marathon has a field size of 30,000 participants and with nearly 24,000 registration submissions, this year’s race is expected to rake in plenty of people and revenue for the city. An additional requirement for this year’s race is proof of vaccination (or a request for a medical exemption if otherwise).

Boston Marathon Dates 

The Boston Marathon is held every year on the third Monday of April. Also known as Patriots’ Day here in Massachusetts. This year, it is on April 18, 2022.

Boston Marathon Route and Map

Image Credit: BAA Website

The route hasn’t changed from last year, where it starts in Hopkinton, MA, and ends on Boylston Street in Boston, MA. The course is mostly flat with the notorious Heartbreak Hill offering a bit of an incline.

What Time Boston Marathon Start

The Boston Marathon 2022 race starting times are as follows:

• Men’s Wheelchair – 9:02 a.m. ET
• Women’s Wheelchair – 9:05 a.m. ET
• Handcycles & Duos – 9:30 a.m. ET
• Professional Men – 9:37 a.m. ET
• Professional Women – 9:45 a.m. ET
• Para Athletics Division – 9:50 a.m. ET
• Wave 1 – 10:00 a.m. ET
• Wave 2 – 10:25 a.m. ET
• Wave 3 – 10:50 a.m. ET
• Wave 4 – 11:15 a.m. ET

Boston Marathon Road Closures

Multiple road closures and traffic restrictions are expected along the marathon route:

• HOPKINTON – Route 135 Closed 7:15 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
• ASHLAND – Route 135 closed 7:15 a.m. – 1:20 p.m.
• FRAMINGHAM – Route 135 closed 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• NATICK – Route 135 closed 8:30 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
• WELLESLEY – Route 135 and Route 16 are closed 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
• NEWTON – Route 16 and Route 30 are closed 8:00 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.
• BROOKLINE – Beacon Street closed 9:00 a.m. – 5:45 p.m.
• BOSTON – The following streets will be closed to vehicular traffic:
  • 5 a.m. Charles Street
  • 6 a.m. Boylston Street
  • 8 a.m. All streets east and west of Massachusetts Avenue
  • 8:30 a.m. All streets in the Brighton area

Check the local news for more updates during the race regarding road closures.

Boston Marathon Results 2021

Here are the top 10 runners for the Boston Marathon in 2021:

1 – Benson Kipruto from Kapsabet, Kenya with a record time of 30 2:09:51
2 –  Lemi Berhanu from Addis Abeba, Ethiopia with a record time of 27 2:10:37
3 – Jemal Yimer from Ethiopia with a record time of 38 2:10:38
4 – Tsedat Ayana from  Ethiopia with a record time of 25 2:10:47
5 – Leonard Barsoton from Kenya with a record time of 26 2:11:11
6 –  Bayelign Teshager from Ethiopia with a record time of  21 2:11:16
7 – Colin Bennie from the United States with a record time of 26 2:11:26
8 – Dejene Debela from Ethiopia with a record time of 26 2:11:38
9 – Wilson Chebet from Marakwet, Kenya with a record time of 36 2:11:40
10 – Cj Albertson from Fresno, Calif. with a record time of 28 2:11:44

For a full list of the 2021 results, check the B.A.A. official list.

Stay up to date on the best events and activities happening in Boston through our weekly updates to Things to do in Boston this Week & Things to do in Boston this Weekend.

And to get these updates delivered directly to your feed, give us a follow on Facebook by clicking the …next to the search lens icon.