Visit this NEW POST for up-to-date info on watching and tracking the 2018 Boston Marathon!
Today is Patriot’s Day in Boston, also known to marathoners around the world as Boston Marathon day. This heralded race that stays as a goal and aspiration for just about all marathoners kicks off this morning at various times for the different groups running it. If you are not able to be in Boston to watch the race or your favorite marathoner, there are several ways to keep on top of it.
Today Is Boston Marathon Day
Here is a run-down on the schedule of events for today’s marathon:
- Mobility Impaired – 8:50 am
- Push Rim Wheelchair – 9:17 am
- Handcycles – 9:22 am
- Elite Women – 9:32 am (40 entrants)
- Elite Men and Wave One – 10:00 am
- Wave Two – 10:25 am
- Wave Three – 10:50 am
- Wave Four – 11:15 am
As you can see, there is a total of 2 hours and 25 minutes separating the starting gun for the very first group of entrants until the last, which is Wave Four. From the start of the main field until the last wave, there is a difference of 1 hour and 15 minutes. If there is a particular marathoner you wanted to track, it will help to know which wave they are in.
This is the breakdown of waves by bib number:
- Wave 1 – 101 – 7,700
- Wave 2 – 8,000 – 15,600
- Wave 3 – 16,000 – 23,600
- Wave 4 – 24,000 – 32,500
Tracking Runners
The Boston Athletic Association has you covered when it comes to keeping an eye on either the elite runners or your friends and family that are running. There is a map available that will show you their progress along the course – found here.
In addition, you can also set up a list of your favorite runners and it will update throughout the race as the runners reach each 5K split. You can add runners and set that up here.
This is a great way to see all of the runners on one page. Just remember as you watch it, there may be a delay depending the different waves that your runners are starting in.
Watching Video
Again this year, you can actually watch the Boston Marathon live. I realize not everyone may find this as fun, but I love watching marathons! It is always neat to see how the various elites handle the course, each other, weather, etc. If you do not want to watch the whole marathon, turning it anytime after the halfway point should bring you up to date while still yielding exciting breaks.
To watch it live, click here.
Finish Line Cam
Finally, what if you want to watch your friends come in? Universal Sports has you covered again with their finish line cam. This way, you can watch them cross that line and feel the excitement with you. This link will take you to that cam.
Who To Watch?
Of course, all eyes will be on returning champ, US marathoner Meb Keflezighi. It will be fantastic to watch this humble runner take the field again. He is certainly someone that the other elite men will not be taking for granted. During the last Olympics, he had fallen off the lead pack a bit and still came back with a solid 4th place finish.
Another American male to keep an eye on is Dathan Ritzenheim. He has suffered injuries but is back and says he is ready to go.
On the female side, there are three top American women who should have good races today. Shalane Flanagan, Desiree Linden (formerly Davila), and Amy Cragg. All three women should be provide a good shot at an American podium finish.
Weather
The weather is not looking great for the Boston Marathon, a race which has seen a variety of weather conditions over the years with its April start. Today, they are calling for rain and storms throughout the day. The rain is forecasted to begin around 9 am with light showers. If the wind stays down and the rain remains a drizzle, it may actually be pretty good. Temperatures are in the mid-40s so it could be advantageous to runners.
I have many, many friends running the race this morning and will be tracking them all. I hope all of the runners there have a fantastic time and hope that this post helps all those interested to stay on top of the progress of one of the best marathons in the world!
