The Boston Marathon is the world's oldest annual marathon and one of the most prestigious races a runner can qualify for. Held every year on Patriots' Day, it turns the route from Hopkinton to Boston into a 26.2-mile celebration. This live countdown shows exactly how many days are left until Marathon Monday.
Boston Marathon at a glance
- Next date
- Monday, April 19, 2027
- Day of the week
- Monday
- How the date is set
- The Boston Marathon is held on Patriots' Day, the third Monday of April
- Location
- Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Official website
- baa.org
- Category
- Sports
Boston Marathon dates for the next 5 years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Monday | |
| 2028 | estimated | Monday |
| 2029 | estimated | Monday |
| 2030 | estimated | Monday |
| 2031 | estimated | Monday |
A race with history
The first Boston Marathon was held in 1897, inspired by the marathon at the first modern Olympic Games the year before. It has been organized by the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) ever since, and the 2027 race will be the 131st edition.
Boston also played a major role in the history of women's running. Bobbi Gibb ran unofficially in 1966, and Kathrine Switzer became the first woman to run with an official bib in 1967. Women were officially welcomed into the race in 1972.
The course
The point-to-point course starts in the small town of Hopkinton and runs east through Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, and Newton before finishing on Boylston Street in downtown Boston. Highlights include the famous "scream tunnel" at Wellesley College and the Newton hills, ending with Heartbreak Hill around mile 20.
Qualifying for Boston
Unlike most big-city marathons, Boston requires most runners to earn their spot with a qualifying time, known as a "BQ," based on age and gender. Running a BQ is a goal for many marathoners. Charity entries offer another way to take part.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Boston Marathon 2027?
Boston Marathon 2027 is on Monday, April 19, 2027. The Boston Marathon is held on Patriots' Day, the third Monday of April.
How many days until the Boston Marathon?
The live countdown at the top of this page shows exactly how many days, hours, minutes, and seconds are left until the Boston Marathon, counting down to race day in Boston's local time.
Why is the Boston Marathon on a Monday?
The race is held on Patriots' Day, a state holiday in Massachusetts that commemorates the first battles of the American Revolution. Patriots' Day falls on the third Monday of April.
Do you need a qualifying time to run Boston?
Most participants qualify by running a certified marathon under a time standard for their age and gender. Because more runners qualify than there are spots, the actual cutoff can be faster than the published standard. Charity programs offer non-qualified entries.