Wellesley Square claims the mid-point of the annual Boston Marathon, but Wellesley also accounts for 4-2 miles of the course in all starting just before the 12-mile mark near the Wellesley College entrance on Rte. 135 and stretching to the cusp of mile 16 near the Newton line.

We welcome marathon stories, snippets, and photos: theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

The 2026 Boston Marathon takes place on Monday, April 20. The first participants leave Hopkinton just after 9am, and the last wave of runners departs at 11:21am. Wheelchair athletes should be hitting Wellesley before 10am. Depending on whether you’re on the lookout for fast runners or plodders among the 30,000 participants, you’ll need to adjust your schedule accordingly. The pro runners, who start between 9:37-9:47am, should be hitting Wellesley Square before 11am after passing through Ashland, Framingham, and Natick.

Beware that roads in Wellesley that are on and near the course will be closing at 8:30am and many won’t reopen to at least 3:30pm (more details).

You’ve got quite a selection of spots in Wellesley to watch the race from. Many residents who live on the course and businesses located along the route party is up.

Things get really zany along the Wellesley College “Scream Tunnel” section, where students do indeed scream for—and sometimes smooch—sweaty runners. You’ll find some of the more clever, racy, and inspirational signs here as well. This segment used to feel more like a tunnel, with spectators on both sides of runners, but due to security and other changes over the years, fans are now located behind a barrier on just one side of the course.

A short walk or run from there up to Wellesley Square is another festive site, with fans lined up on both sides of Central Street. Local businesses get in on the action a well, some with giveaways, some with their own outdoor exercise displays (stationary bikes or rowing machines, for example).

The segment of Rte. 135/16 in front of Town Hall and the library makes for good picture taking, with a great backdrop on either side of the street. Simons Park next to the library also offers a bit of running around space for kids and pups.

At the 13.5-mile mark, in front of the Tolles Parsons Center at 500 Washington St., will be a sensory friendly viewing area—cowbell free. Learn more if you plan to attend here.

The crowds are strong, but thin out a bit, as you head into Wellesley Hills. The race passes by Hunnewell Fields at mile 14, so that’s another area where if you’re there with kids they can take a break on the playground, courts and fields.

For some high flying action, consider setting up near the top of the hill past the 15-mile mark that zips past the Wellesley Recreation Center on the right. This is an especially wild spot for watching the wheelchair and hand-cycle racers speed by.

About 50 Wellesley residents are participating in the 2026 Boston Marathon, per the Boston Athletic Association:

BIB	WAVE/CORRAL	LAST, FIRST	AGE
788	1 – Red/1	Defelice, David	35
1254	1 – Red/2	Li, Peide	33
1908	1 – Red/2	Collins, Luke	25
2846	1 – Red/3	Colavincenzo, John	45
5035	1 – Red/5	Juma, Adam	20
11727	2 – White/8	Foley, Brian	59
12689	3 – Blue/2	Li, Amanda	27
13344	3 – Blue/3	Haggerty, Sean	56
13920	3 – Blue/4	Dravenstott, Richard	52
13933	3 – Blue/4	Burch, Kathleen	42
19681	4 – Yellow/6	Mcnally, Lawrence	66
20039	4 – Yellow/7	Given, Sarah	42
20283	4 – Yellow/7	Huang, Yimei	51
20313	4 – Yellow/7	Foraste, Stephen	58
25213	5 – Green/6	Maul, Kate	58
25393	5 – Green/7	Collins, Bob	65
25488	5 – Green/7	Boland, Giles	66
26806	6 – Orange/1	Labadie, Jessica	35
26823	6 – Orange/1	Comella, Abigail	23
26866	6 – Orange/1	Kelly, Timothy	53
26977	6 – Orange/1	Fischman, Wendy	54
27075	6 – Orange/1	Daley, Heather	67
27124	6 – Orange/1	Kelly, Peter	46
27219	6 – Orange/1	Hoff, Caroline	22
27291	6 – Orange/1	Diamond, Sophia	38
27650	6 – Orange/2	Barlow, Lindsey	43
27731	6 – Orange/2	Boghosian, Richard	38
27733	6 – Orange/2	Flanagan, Ryan	49
27736	6 – Orange/2	Boghosian, Natasha	36
28139	6 – Orange/2	Flores, Omar	21
28502	6 – Orange/3	Huang, Alden	22
28810	6 – Orange/3	Eklund, Susie	43
28924	6 – Orange/3	Jacoby, Kerrie	34
28989	6 – Orange/3	Boland, Lindsay	32
29362	6 – Orange/4	Day, Michelle	56
29363	6 – Orange/4	Day, Courtney	26
30249	6 – Orange/5	Laudano, Emmie	18
30540	6 – Orange/5	Mccarron, Catherine	23
30691	6 – Orange/5	Joseph, Sara	53
30837	6 – Orange/5	Madden, Nathaniel	19
30976	6 – Orange/5	Houston, Neil	46
30977	6 – Orange/5	Corzo, Victor	72
31064	6 – Orange/5	Clark, Kevin	59
31130	6 – Orange/6	Cavallaro, Nicole	40
32108	6 – Orange/7	Barbary, Allison	45
32702	6 – Orange/7	Kim, Jayne	54
32707	6 – Orange/7	Campbell, Thomas	45
32736	6 – Orange/7	Lyne, Julia	25
32973	6 – Orange/8	Ellis, Faith	24
33224	6 – Orange/8	Freniere, Charlotte	24