The Boston Marathon is unlike any other, it’s the world’s oldest marathon, which first began in 1897 after drawing inspiration from the first Olympic marathon. And as anyone who’s ever ran Boston will tell you, the Boston Marathon gathers some of the most energetic crowds cheering athletes on from Hopkinton all the way to the finish line!
Speaking of athletes, the Boston Marathon is iconic because it pools in about 20,000 of the top athletes in the world who make qualifications, but also another 10,000 athletes raising funds for charity. It’s astonishing knowing the race regularly reels in 30,000 competitors considering it began with just 18 in 1897.
It’s one of the only marathons where the best marathoner in the world and a first-time marathoner take the same path, up Heartbreak Hill and around the Boylston Street bend. With its storied history and contagious energy, it’s no surprise that celebrations are popping up all over Boston this time of year.
Boston Marathon 2024: all the things to do
Find some of the best places to gear up for the Boston Marathon below, and don’t forget to pick your spectating spot for race day!
- April 10 @ 9 AM: It’s the 100th anniversary of the race’s start moving to Hopkinton! Celebrate as they finish the start line painting where it all begins. (2 Main Street, Hopkinton)
- April 11 @ 9 AM: Catch the installation of the Boston Marathon finish line on Boylston Street (760 Boylston St., Boston) *this event is subject to change based on weather
- April 11-15: $2.62 marathon specials all day, including a medium drip coffee and banana or bagel with cream cheese and banana (Central Perk Coffeehouse)
- April 12 @ 7:30-10 AM: Go on a 2-mile run with the iconic Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon in 1967, and Alison Mariella Désir, a multi-talented founder, doer, and trailblazer, will be hosting a shakeout run. The first 100 attendees will get free swag from Team Milk like a free tote bag, exclusive Team Milk hat, and chocolate milk! (Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center; 1350 Tremont Street, Boston)
- April 12-14 @ 4-7 PM; April 15 @ 11 AM- 7 PM: Check out the pop-up marathon events just steps from the finish line! Mandarin Oriental on Boylston will have bites, carbo-loading options at Ramsay’s Kitchen, and more in addition to 50-minute stretching session with a fitness trainer at 2 PM on Saturday and Sunday to loosen up for race day! (Mandarin Oriental; 776 Boylston St., Boston)
- April 12 @ 11 AM- 6PM; April 13-14 @ 9 AM-6 PM: Bank of America Boston Marathon Expo with bib pick-up, sponsored exhibitors, demos, photo ops, and so much more! It’s a marathoner’s playground. The expo is open to competitors and the general public. (Hynes Convention Center)
- April 12 @ 3-8 PM; April 13-14 @ 9 AM- 8 PM: DICK’S Sporting Goods will host the Boston Marathon Fan Fest in celebration of the new House of Sport opening at the finish line! The free event includes live music, free yoga classes, race clinics and more! (City Hall Plaza)
- April 13 @ 8 AM: 10,000 participants race the 5K, presented by Point32Health, from the Boston Common through parts of Back Bay.
- April 13 @ 10:30 AM: 2024 B.A.A. Invitational Mile features some of the top professional milers in the world, as well as scholastic student-athletes from each of the eight cities and towns along the Boston Marathon route. (Boston Marathon Finish Line, (760 Boylston St., Boston)
- April 13-14 @ 9 AM -5 PM; April 15 @ 1-7 PM: Explore the Marathon Zone at the Westin Copley Place. The Westin will have a gear Lending Program featuring Hyperice and Bala. (10 Huntington Ave.)
- April 13 @ 4-5 PM: OOFOS x Project Pink: Recover with Purpose panel, led by Ali Feller, host of the Ali on the Run Show podcast and Boston Marathon finish line announcer discussing breast cancer awareness in honor of early OOFOS employee Duncan Finigan, who was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer in October 2014, and encouraged the brand to raise money for research. Project Pink was born to keep Finigan’s legacy alive while shining the spotlight on this important cause. (799 Boylston St.)
- April 15 from 6 AM: Race day! Find the full race day schedule here.
- April 15 @ 5:30-9 PM: Annual Mile 27 Post-Race party with hosts Des Linden and Kara Goucher, champion crowning and so much more! Tickets required. (City Hall Plaza)
- April 15 All-day: Marathon participants can enjoy discounted recovery services! (G2O Spa + Salon; 33 Exter St.)
Where to eat during Boston marathon weekend
Tons of local restaurants and cafes are throwing watch parties, crafting special menus, and even treating participants to bottomless pasta!
- April 14 @ 5-10 PM: Bottomless pasta night for $26.20 (Bambara Kitchen & Bar at Kimpton Marlowe Hotel in Cambridge)
- April 15 from 11 AM: Enjoy a yummy meal right by the finish line (Little Whale Oyster Bar)
- April 15 All-day: Photo and snack station for marathon participants (Liberty Hotel)
- April 15 @ 10 AM-4 PM: Enjoy a foodie’s marathon complete with hors d’oeuvres, a chef carving station with succulent prime rib and all its accoutrements before venturing to the buffet featuring creations like Italian hoagies, an array of seasonal salads, as well as a collection of veggie sides. Reservations required and tickets are $175 per person. The yellow and blue carpet tradition will roll out too. (Atlantic Fish Co.)
- April 15 @ 3 PM: The Beehive and Cósmica will host the tenth annual fundraiser in support of the Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation, which was established in gratitude for the physicians who saved lives after the 2013 Boston Marathon explosions. (The Beehive and Cósmica)