Bib Numbers, Start Assignments & Wave Times Announced for 130th Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America

March 16, 2026

Updated Six Wave Start Featured in 2026

BOSTON (March 16, 2026) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) today announced that bib number, corral, and start time assignments have been unveiled for the 130th Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America, to be run on Patriots’ Day, April 20, 2026. Registered athletes can find their start assignments and bib numbers within their online B.A.A. Athletes’ Village account.

“As athletes are training for Patriots’ Day and the 130^th Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America, the unveiling of bib numbers marks one step closer to race day and the journey to the finish on Boylston Street,” said Jack Fleming, B.A.A. President and Chief Executive Officer. “Athletes from more than 130 countries and all 50 U.S. states will take the starting line on April 20, cheered on and supported every step of the way through Hopkinton, Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Brookline and Boston.”

Along with bib number assignments, athletes can now find which start wave and start corral they’ve been assigned to. Seeding is based on qualifying times and projected finish time.

New for 2026, the Boston Marathon will feature six start waves as opposed to four start waves. While the overall field size has not changed (30,000 participants), six waves with fewer athletes will be adopted this year to improve the athlete experience from bus loading to arrival in Hopkinton, and optimize flow throughout the entire course. The six waves will range in size from 3,200 to 7,100 athletes; for comparison, in recent years there were four waves featuring 7,500 athletes each. The amount of athletes per wave is calculated based on a variety of factors, including estimated pace and finish time.

“The new six wave start system is aimed at enhancing the participant experience,” said Lauren Proshan, B.A.A. Chief of Operations and Production. “Working with crowd scientists and observing athlete density, this updated start procedure is geared towards creating a continuous flow at each point of the athlete journey on race morning – from gear check to bus loading, arriving in Athletes’ Village to crossing the start and covering the 26.2 miles. All athletes are anticipated to be across the starting line before 11:30 a.m. like previous years, and will have the same amount of time to complete the course as in 2025, with the finish line closing at 5:30 p.m. in Boston.”

Additionally, depending on which starting corral athletes are assigned to, they will take one of two paths to the start line in Hopkinton: Corrals 1-4 will exit Athletes’ Village and take Maple Street and Church Street to enter their starting location, while Corrals 5-8 will proceed down Grove Street and turn right onto Main Street to enter their starting spot. Hundreds of volunteers and race staff will be on site to assist athletes and ensure participants know where to go on race morning.

The 130^th Boston Marathon Participant Guide is available now for all athletes featuring maps, timelines, and information. Additional start corral and start timeline information, as well as athlete information, can be found at baa.org.

The updated 130^th Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America start schedule is as follows:

Participants can expect continued communication through e-mail newsletters, the B.A.A. Racing App, B.A.A. & Boston Marathon social media channels, and the B.A.A. website through race day.

ABOUT THE BOSTON ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (B.A.A.) 

Established in 1887, the Boston Athletic Association is a non-profit organization with a mission of promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports, especially running. The B.A.A. manages the Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America, and supports comprehensive charity, youth, and year-round programming. The 130th Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America is scheduled to take place on Monday, April 20, 2026.

The Boston Marathon is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, along with international marathons in Tokyo, London, Sydney, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City. For more information on the B.A.A., please visit www.baa.org.

Boston Athletic Association | Boston, MA 02116 | www.baa.org | media@baa.org

Bib Numbers, Start Assignments & Wave Times Announced for 130^th Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America

MEDIA CONTACTS

Chris Lotsbom
Director of Race Communications & Media
Clotsbom@baa.org

Celia Oswitch
Manager, Communications
Coswitch@baa.org