Boston Marathon

10 interesting questions about the Boston Marathon, answered

How long is the route? What path does it take? What are the fastest times ever?

By Trevor Hass

April 12, 2023

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Email
• Email

There are few traditions more timeless or iconic in New England than the Boston Marathon.

If you grew up in Massachusetts or have lived here for a while, chances are you know a fair amount about the history of the event. You probably know where the marathon starts (Hopkinton) and where it ends (Boylston Street). You might even know someone running it this year on Monday, April 17.

But do you know how Heartbreak Hill got its name? Or why the unicorn is the race’s symbol? Impress your friends with the answers to these interesting questions about the Boston Marathon.

Why is a unicorn the symbol of the marathon?

Why is it on jackets, medals, and trophies? The most common belief is that the mythical creature, which started as the symbol for the Boston Athletic Association, was on the family crest of one of the BAA’s founding members.

The organization, which was founded 20 years before the race began, used the unicorn as its symbol for all sports.

How did Heartbreak Hill get its name?

Heartbreak Hill is generally considered the toughest part of the course. After several mostly hilly miles, runners must ascend a steep half-mile uphill at mile 20.

In 1936, Johnny Kelley was eyeing a repeat when he caught up with Ellison Brown, according to the Associated Press. He patted Brown on the shoulder as he passed him on that final climb, but the tactic backfired, as Brown responded and passed him back while Kelley lost steam.

Boston Globe sportswriter Jerry Nason described the defeat as “breaking Kelley’s heart,” and thus the name was born.

When were women finally allowed to race?

Women weren’t always permitted to enter the race, and their eventual acceptance is linked to a few pioneers.

Bobbi Gibb ran the 1966 Boston Marathon in a black bathing suit, Bermuda shorts, and boys running shoes. The Boston Athletic Association had rejected her application, but she hid in the bushes near the start, snuck into the mishmash, and ultimately became the first woman to finish the race in full.

The following year, Kathrine Switzer followed suit. She didn’t indicate her gender on her race application and was issued a bib number as “K. V. Switzer.” Jock Semple tried — unsuccessfully — to physically remove her from the race, but Switzer plowed forward and finished in 4 hours and 20 minutes.

In the fall of 1971, the Amateur Athletics Union made a groundbreaking decision to allow women to enter. The next year, in 1972, Nina Kuscsik became the first official female champion. Eight women started the race that year, and all eight finished.

How do runners qualify?

All Boston Marathon entrants have to meet competitive time standards, which correspond to age and gender. The race must be certified by USA Track and Field, the Association for International Marathons and Distance, or another national governing body.

For men between 18 and 34, the necessary qualifying time historically is 3 hours flat, and for women, it’s 3:30. The higher the age, the slower the pace. For example, 50- to 54-year-old women need to run it in under 3:55, while men age 70 to 74 need to do so in under 4:20.

The qualifying window is open until the conclusion of registration for the Boston Marathon, and only a certified full marathon distance is accepted for qualifying.

How long is the route?

The short answer is 26.2 miles, but the longer answer is interesting. The first race, on April 19, 1897, was 24.5 miles, spanning from Metcalf’s Mill in Ashland to the Irvington Oval in Back Bay. John J. McDermott of New York finished in 2:55:10 — amid a starting field of 15 — to forever cement his name in Boston Marathon lore.

In 1924, the course expanded to 26 miles, 385 yards (roughly 0.2 miles), to conform to Olympic standards, and the starting line was moved from Ashland to Hopkinton.

… and what path does it take?

The Boston Marathon begins in Hopkinton and ends on Boylston Street, but what’s in between? The course starts on Main Street and follows Route 135 through Ashland, Framingham, Natick, and Wellesley to where Route 16 joins Route 135.

It continues on Route 16, through Newton Lower Falls to Commonwealth Avenue, turning right at the fire station onto Commonwealth, which is Route 30.

It winds through those treacherous Newton Hills, bears right at the reservoir onto Chestnut Hill Avenue to Cleveland Circle, then swerves left onto Beacon Street, and eventually through Coolidge Corner.

Kenmore Square is one mile from the finish line, and Commonwealth Avenue guides the runner there. The course turns right onto Hereford Street, and then left onto Boylston Street before reaching the finish line near Copley Square.

What are the fastest times ever?

Planning on setting a course record? Well, here’s what you have to beat.

Geoffrey Mutai, of Kenya, unofficially ran the fastest Men’s Open Division marathon ever in a time of 2:03.02 in 2011. Dennis Kimetto ousted him in Berlin in 2014 for the No. 1 all-time spot, but Mutai’s Boston mark remains as the men’s open course record.

Bizunesh Deba, of Ethiopia, set the Women’s Open Division course record with a mark of 2:19.59 in 2014.

Switzerland’s Marcel Hug set the Men’s Wheelchair record (1:18.04) in 2017. Manuela Schar, also from Switzerland, holds the Women’s Wheelchair record (1:28.17).

Sara Mae Berman of the United States holds the Women’s Pioneer Era record with a time of 3:05.07 in 1970.

Here’s the complete list of champions.

Why is the marathon on a Monday?

The marathon is typically run on Patriots Day, which is the third Monday in April. The COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of the 2020 race and pushed the 2021 marathon back to October.

Last year marked the first time the event ran in April since 2019, and the tradition will continue this year. Despite all the changes in recent years, the tradition of running on a Monday is still intact.

It all stems back to the early tradition of the event. Patriots Day is a Massachusetts holiday commemorating the battles of Lexington and Concord, which were the start of the Revolutionary War. The holiday symbolizes freedom and independence, and now it’s usually synonymous with a day off from school, an early Red Sox game, and a marathon that draws runners and fans from around the world.

However, it wasn’t always this way. For the first 71 years, the marathon was held on any given day, except for Sundays. In 1968, for example, the marathon took place on a Friday.

That same year, Massachusetts Gov. John Volpe signed a Monday holiday bill to instill some scheduling consistency.

What’s the best way to watch the marathon?

It’s all about personal preference, but the marathon website has a handy table with rough estimates of when to see the lead men and women at various points.

There are several great spots to view it in person, including near the Framingham commuter rail stop, the Boston College campus, and Kenmore Square near the “Boston Strong bridge.”

If you don’t want to deal with the traffic, you can watch the race on TV. Here’s the local schedule:

• 4 a.m. to 8 p.m.: Boston Marathon coverage, WCVB Channel 5
• Simulcast regionally on Channel 5’s sister stations; live-streamed on Very Local Boston
• Live on ESPN from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; SportsCenter coverage before and after

What time does the marathon start?

All runners are numbered according to qualifying times, facilitating a start and pace comparable to others with similar qualifying times.

▪ 6 a.m.: Military March

 ▪ 9:02 a.m.: Men’s wheelchair

▪ 9:05 a.m.: Women’s wheelchair

▪ 9:30 a.m.: Handcycles and duos

▪ 9:37 a.m.: Professional men

▪ 9:47 a.m.: Professional women

▪ 9:50 a.m.: Para Athletics Division

▪ 10 a.m.: Staggered start for all other participants

Additional start times can be found here.