Finishing School
The best view of the marathon finish line is free.
M
arathon Monday is one of our favorite days in Boston, but there's one thing about it that trips us up: The hogging of the finish line by free-spending corporate types, who book up most of the restaurants and bars along the last stretch of the route on Boylston Street for their VIP friends and keep the rest of us out. But the joke's on them. There's a little-publicized free public viewing area on the north side of the finish line, closer than any of the fat cats ever get. Pack a lunch. It's open on a first come, first served basis, and in years past people start to line up for seats as early as 7. Jacobson
Shhhh! Hundreds of spectators boarded trains
from Boston to watch the start of the first
Boston Marathon in Ashland, then jumped back
aboard to witness the finish. Many brought bicycles
and cycled back to town alongside the runners.
from Boston to watch the start of the first
Boston Marathon in Ashland, then jumped back
aboard to witness the finish. Many brought bicycles
and cycled back to town alongside the runners.
Shhh who knew
The Boston Marathon finish line has been moved several times. The first marathon ended at the Irvington Oval, a running track near Copley Square close to the Boston Athletic Association clubhouse. The finish line was later moved to Exeter Street across from the Lenox Hotel, and later still to Boylston Street, closer to the headquarters of sponsor John Hancock.
700 Boylston St.
in front of the Boston Public Library
Boston,
MA,
02116
Find on a map|Get directions.
These lines serve the finish line. Click to find more secrets on your route.
1 Bus, 10 Bus, 170 Bus, 192 Bus, 193 Bus, 39 Bus, 43 Bus, 502 Bus, 503 Bus, 504 Bus, 55 Bus, 555 Bus, 9 Bus, 970 Bus, Hynes/Green Line B C D, Prudential/Green Line E
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Get directions to the finish line by T.
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Marathon Monday, beginning at 7 a.m.
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