The Boston Marathon is among the most famous sporting events not only in the United States but the world over. It dates back to 1897, making it the oldest annual marathon in the world, and remains one of the most widely viewed sporting events in New England with hundreds of thousands of spectators every year.
Traditionally, the race takes place annually in Boston, Massachusetts on the third Monday of April, purposefully coinciding with Patriots’ Day, a Massachusetts state holiday commemorating the first battle of the American Revolution. This year, the 130th Boston Marathon will take place on Monday, April 20.
Over 30,000 qualifying participants from around the globe will run the 26.2-mile (42.195-kilometer) course, joined by a selection of celebrities and other notable figures. Runners must have achieved a qualifying time in a previous certified marathon to be able to apply to run the Boston Marathon, and prize money will be awarded to the runners of each category with the fastest finishing times.
The marathon is free to attend and watch; please visit the official event webpage here to read the guidelines for spectators.
Neither the date of the race nor Patriots’ Day are federal holidays, but the event is so large in scale that there are widespread closures of schools and other public buildings; see here for a full list of what closes and what remains open, on normal or altered operating hours. If you plan to travel to Boston on race day, expect considerable traffic, and check the marathon route and schedule here to prepare for road closures and crowds in the area.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us anytime at info@gravityintprog.com. Stay safe and healthy!
