The Boston Marathon is one of the most historic races in the world, drawing elite athletes and enthusiastic spectators from across the globe. Scheduled for April 21, 2025, this year’s marathon promises thrilling competition and powerful stories of endurance and achievement. However, due to broadcasting restrictions and regional limitations, many international fans may find it challenging to watch the event live.
ESPN holds the official broadcasting rights in the U.S., but access outside the country can be restricted. Fortunately, there’s a simple way to overcome these barriers. With the help of a VPN, you can stream the Boston Marathon 2025 live on ESPN from anywhere in the world.
2025 Boston Marathon Event Details
- Date: April 15th, 2024
- Start: Main Street, Hopkinton, Massachusetts
- Finish: Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts
- Where to watch: ESPN2 at 9:00 AM EDT
- Online Streaming: Available via ESPN+ and the ESPN app
Why do you need a VPN to watch Boston Marathon 2025 on ESPN
To watch the Boston Marathon 2025 from outside the US, a VPN is essential. ESPN holds the exclusive rights to broadcast the marathon in the U.S., which means viewers in other regions may encounter geo-blocks when trying to access the live stream.
A VPN like PureVPN allows you to change your virtual location by masking your IP address and routing your connection through a U.S. server.
This tricks the platform into thinking you’re watching from within the country. Additionally, many ISPs throttle bandwidth during major events, resulting in buffering or low-quality streams. A VPN helps prevent this by encrypting your internet traffic, ensuring smoother and uninterrupted viewing.
So whether you’re traveling, working abroad, or simply outside the U.S., a VPN guarantees full access to the Boston Marathon coverage.
How to watch Boston Marathon 2025 on your devices from Anywhere
You can watch the Boston Marathon 2025 on almost any device, no matter where you are. The official broadcaster, ESPN, offers streaming support across multiple platforms including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and smart TVs. To unlock the stream from outside the U.S., install PureVPN on your device or configure it on your Wi-Fi router
Connect to a U.S. server, and you’ll be able to access ESPN’s app or website. iOS and Android users can download the ESPN app from their respective app stores.
For larger screens, ESPN is compatible with devices like Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, and gaming consoles like PlayStation and Xbox. If you’re using a desktop or laptop, simply open your browser and head to ESPN.com.
2025 Boston Marathon Prize Money & Awards
The Boston Marathon offers equal prize money for men and women across various divisions, including Open, Masters, and Wheelchair Divisions. It was the first event to provide equal $50,000 course record bonuses for both the open and wheelchair divisions, and to offer a designated prize purse for athletes with impairments.
Place | Open Division | Wheelchair Division T53/54/34 | Wheelchair Division T51-52 | Masters Division |
---|---|---|---|---|
1st | $150,000 | $50,000 | $1,500 | $5,000 |
2nd | $75,000 | $30,000 | $750 | $2,500 |
3rd | $40,000 | $15,000 | $500 | $1,500 |
4th | $25,000 | $10,000 | ||
5th | $18,000 | $8,000 | ||
6th | $13,500 | $5,000 | ||
7th | $10,500 | $4,000 | ||
8th | $8,500 | $3,000 | ||
9th | $7,000 | $2,000 | ||
10th | $5,500 | $1,500 | ||
Total | $705,000 | $308,000 | $5,500 | $18,000 |
Course Record Bonus | $50,000 | $50,000 | ||
Grand Total | $1,137,500 |
What is the route of the 2025 Boston Marathon?
The 2025 Boston Marathon route is a historic point-to-point course starting on Main Street in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, and finishing on Boylston Street in Boston’s Copley Square.
The course passes through several towns including Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, and Brookline before entering Boston proper.
Key features include rolling terrain with challenging Newton Hills between miles 16 and 21, culminating in the famous Heartbreak Hill. The final stretch from Brookline to Boylston Street is mostly flat and downhill, ending amidst large crowds and iconic
Boston landmarks such as Kenmore Square and the Boston Public Library near the finish line.
Which Athletes are participating in the Boston Marathon?
The 2025 Boston Marathon will feature a mix of elite international and domestic runners. Defending champions in both the men’s and women’s divisions are set to return, alongside high-profile names like Eliud Kipchoge, Brigid Kosgei, and American stars such as Galen Rupp and Emily Sisson. The wheelchair divisions will also showcase top athletes including Marcel Hug and Manuela Schär. As always, thousands of amateur runners will join them, making it one of the largest and most inclusive running events in the world.
Boston Marathon 2025 Preview
The 2025 Boston Marathon is shaping up to be one of the most competitive editions in recent history. With elite athletes from across the globe, including past champions and Olympic medalists, the race promises exciting head-to-head matchups and potentially record-breaking performances. This year’s marathon also carries symbolic weight, as it marks the 129th running of the race, continuing a legacy that dates back to 1897.
Spectators can expect powerful moments on Heartbreak Hill, strategic surges in Newton, and a sprint down Boylston Street. With a forecast of mild temperatures and clear skies, conditions appear favorable for fast times and memorable finishes.
Whether you’re tuning in for the drama, the inspiration, or simply to support your favorite runners, the 2025 Boston Marathon is a must-watch event on the global sporting calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathon, renowned for its rich history, challenging course, strict qualifying standards, and the passionate support of hundreds of thousands of spectators.
Entry is difficult because runners must meet tough qualifying times based on age and gender at a certified marathon, and the race has a limited field size.
The Boston Marathon is 42.195 kilometers (26 miles, 385 yards).
Entry fees are $205 for U.S. residents and $255 for international participants, plus a $25 fee for all entrants.
Only runners who are 18 or older and meet the qualifying time for their age group at a certified marathon can enter, unless running for a charity spot.
The Boston Marathon 2025 is on Monday, April 21, 2025.
Qualify by running a certified outdoor marathon within the designated time standard for your age group and within the qualifying window set by the B.A.A.
Qualifying times vary by age and gender; men aged 18-34 need a 3:00 marathon, women 3:30, and non-binary runners 3:30, with slower times for older age groups.
You can track runners and race progress through official Boston Marathon tracking apps and online platforms provided by the event organizers.
Broadcast details may vary, but major races like the Boston Half Marathon are typically available on local sports networks or streaming platforms.
The Boston Marathon is nationally televised, often airing on networks such as ESPN or local Boston stations; check local listings for details.