Boston Marathon 2025: Obiri and Lemma Return to Defend Titles in Iconic Race
Staff Editor Boston Marathon 2025: Defending Champions Return as Thousands Prepare for Iconic Race
The 129th Boston Marathon is set to take place on Monday, April 21, 2025, with two-time defending champion Hellen Obiri headlining the women’s division. This prestigious event, covering 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Boston’s Copley Square, is expected to draw around 30,000 participants.
Sisay Lemma and Hellen Obiri, last year’s champions in the men’s and women’s divisions respectively, will return to defend their titles. The marathon, known for its challenging course including the infamous Heartbreak Hill, continues to attract both elite athletes and celebrity runners.
For those unable to attend in person, various viewing options are available. National coverage will be broadcast on ESPN2 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET, while local New England viewers can tune in to WCVB, Channel 5 ABC in Boston.
Streaming services offer alternatives for cord-cutters. ESPN Plus provides the most affordable option at $12 per month, while Sling TV Orange ($46/month), DirecTV MySports, and Fubo Pro offer more comprehensive packages, some including free trials.
International viewers or those traveling outside the US can access the marathon using a VPN service like ExpressVPN, which allows users to alter their device’s virtual location.
The elite men’s race begins at 9:37 a.m. ET, followed by the women’s at 9:47 a.m. ET. Top finishers are expected to cross the line around 11:30 a.m. ET, with the men’s winner likely finishing in about two hours and the women’s shortly after noon ET.
As the excitement builds for this iconic sporting event, runners and spectators alike prepare for another memorable Boston Marathon.
