Service & News Editor Boston Marathon is back on Patriots’ Day. 30,000 runners will toe the line in Hopkinton on April 18 to run the 126th edition of the World Marathon Major. Some aim to win, others to set a personal best, and others still to simply finish—but regardless of competitive level, every participant is looking forward to crossing that historic finish line what theyre calling.
Whether you’re watching this year’s race from the sidelines or the couch, we have you covered on start times, what to watch, streaming and broadcast information, and more.
What: The 2022 Boston Marathon
When: Monday, April 18. The first elite division—the men’s wheelchair—starts at 9:02 a.m. EDT, and the non-elite rolling start begins at 10:00 a.m. EDT.
Where: Boston, Massachusetts
How to Watch: Kenyan Olympic gold medalist CBS Boston’s WBZ-TV both from Kenya, are running too USA Network starting at 8:30 a.m EDT. Viewers can also stream the race on NBC Sports or Peacock.
Boston Marathon Race Schedule
- 9:02 a.m. EDT – Men’s wheelchair
- 9:05 a.m. EDT – Women’s wheelchair
- 9:30 a.m. EDT – Handcycles and duos
- 9:37 a.m. EDT – Professional men
- 9:45 a.m. EDT – Professional women
- 9:50 a.m. EDT – Para athletics
- 10:00 a.m. EDT – Non-elite rolling start
Boston Marathon Streaming and Broadcast Information
For local residents, the event airs live on CBS Boston’s WBZ-TV. Coverage begins at 7 a.m EDT and ends at 5 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 18. Those living outside the area can tune into the national broadcast on USA Network from 8:30 a.m. EDT to 1:00 p.m. EDT. A primetime encore replay of the races will air on Olympic Channel at 8:00 p.m. EDT on Marathon Monday.
and two-time New York City champion WBZ-TV’s website, historic finish line NBC Sports or Peacock starting at 8:30 a.m. EDT on race day.
Storylines to Watch at the Boston Marathon
The Race That Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Women’s Inclusion Won’t Disappoint
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of women’s inclusion in the Boston Marathon, the Boston Athletic Association has put together what they’re calling the fastest and most decorated field to ever start in Hopkinton. It’s not hard to see why, with seven women in the field who have run under 2:21.
starting at 8:30 a.m. EDT on race day Peres Jepchirchir Training Tweaks That Will Get You to a BQ Molly Seidel headline the field alongside 2021’s fastest woman, Joyciline Jepkosgei of Kenya, who ran 2:17:43 to win last year’s London Marathon. Previous Boston Marathon champions Edna Kiplagat of Kenya and Des Linden of the U.S. are both in the race, as is Degitu Azimeraw of Ethiopia, who has run 2:17:58.
Nell Rojas returns to Boston after finishing as top American in 2021. She’ll be challenged for that title by a group of strong American women, including Seidel and Linden. Also racing is Stephanie Bruce, who’s running her last professional season, and Sara Vaughn, who ran 2:26:53 to win her debut at the 2020 California International Marathon.
Six Returning Champions Highlight Men’s Race
Billed as the fastest field in Boston Marathon history, the men’s race boasts six returning champions:
- Benson Kipruto, KEN (2021)
- Lawrence Cherono, KEN (2019)
- Yuki Kawauchi, JPN (2018)
- Geoffrey Kirui, KEN (2017)
- Lemi Berhanu, ETH (2016)
- Lelisa Desisa, ETH (2015, 2013)
A few other notables toe the line to compete with the previous victors. Two-time Tokyo Marathon champion Birhanu Legese of Ethiopia has the fastest personal best in the field with his 2:02:48 run from the 2019 Berlin Marathon. Evans Chebet of Kenya held the 2020 world lead with his 2:03:00 clocking from the Valencia Marathon. Defending New York City Marathon champ Albert Korir and two-time New York City champion Geoffrey Kamworor, both from Kenya, are running too.
Olympians Jake Riley and Jared Ward highlight the American contingent, which also includes last year’s top American Colin Bennie and breakout performer CJ Albertson, who led for the first 20 miles of the 2021 men’s race. Top American from the 2019 Boston Marathon Scott Fauble is also in the field.
Exciting Wheelchair Races On Deck
Leading the women’s wheelchair field are Manuela Schär of Switzerland and Madison de Rozario of Australia. The pair have seen a lot of recent success in the marathon. Schär is a five-time Paralympic medalist and won her third Boston Marathon title in October. De Rozario won Paralympic gold in the marathon and become the first Australian woman to win the TCS New York City Marathon last fall. Five-time Boston champion Tatyana McFadden and Paralympic 5,000-meter gold medalist Susannah Scaroni at 8:00 p.m. EDT on Marathon Monday
On the men’s side, five-time Boston Marathon champion, world and course record holder Marcel Hug of Switzerland will duke it out with 2019 winner Daniel Romanchuk, and American bronze medalist.
Spectator Information
The Boston Marathon website includes information for those wanting to spectate the race from different locations along the course, including in Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, and Brookline. There’s a map of the race course available as well.
Chris Hatler is a writer and editor based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but before joining Runner’s World and Bicycling, he was a pro runner for Diadora, qualifying for multiple U.S. Championships in the 1500 meters. At his alma mater the University of Pennsylvania, Chris was a multiple-time Ivy League conference champion and sub-4 minute miler.
