The Ultimate Boston Marathon FAQ: Maps, Winners, Tips, and More

Well, it's Marathon Weekend. The tourists are here, the runners are out, and the course setup has commenced. Once a year, the Marathon turns runners into celebrities, motivated regular people into athletes, and lazy regular people into drunken spectators. Over the years, Bostonist has compiled a collection of tips on the Marathon; here, we review them for your convenience. We'll be providing a photo gallery of the course later today or tomorrow.

When is the Boston Marathon?
The Boston Marathon is held every year on Patriots Day, the third Monday in April and an almost-exclusively (Maine and Wisconsin have horned in on the action) Massachusetts holiday. This year the marathon will be run on Monday, April 20.

What is the Boston Marathon Route?
The Boston Marathon begins in Hopkinton, Mass., and ends on Boylston Street in downtown Boston. Look for our in-depth photo gallery of the course later this weekend.

What Should I Do During the Boston Marathon?
You have many options: follow the route (crazy!), watch it in person (fun!), photograph it (and tag your photos Bostonist!), read about it online (less fun, but necessary for folks who don't have Patriots Day off work), ignore it (lacking in marathon spirit!), or not even realize it's happening (impossible!).

Where To Watch the Boston Marathon reviews some of the classic places to watch the marathon from. Whether you want to hike out to Hopkinton or stick around Boylston, we help you discover where to go.