2025 Boston Marathon: How to track your favorite athletes in real time
Tens of thousands of runners will make the 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton to Boston on Monday in the 128th edition of the race.
www.boston25news.comHere’s the latest on tracking Boston Marathon runners and how fans typically follow along.
What’s new for tracking
- The official Boston Marathon app remains the primary way to track runners in real time, with live location updates, pace, and expected finish times, plus interactive course maps and the ability to follow multiple runners at once [sources discuss the app and its features widely]. This is the most reliable option for spectators and families alike [Boston Globe coverage and CBS News guidance mention the app’s live-tracking and profiles for runners].[3][7]
- The B.A.A. website also provides a dedicated tracking section where you can search by name or bib number to monitor progress and view results after the race [CBS News summary and Boston Globe fan guides reference the website’s tracking/search features].[6][7]
- For those who prefer or need alternatives, several outlets and guides describe third-party apps or online trackers that can follow runners by name or bib, and some recap how RFID-based spectator tracking stations feed real-time updates along the course [Tom's Guide, SSBCrack News, and related coverage].[2][5][6]
How to set up tracking (step-by-step)
- Download and open the official Boston Marathon app on your iOS or Android device.
- Use the app’s search to locate your runner by name, bib number, city, or team, then add them to your watch list to see their live progress and splits.
- If you’re not using the app, visit the Boston Marathon website, go to the tracking section, and search by name or bib number to follow a runner’s live status and view finish results later.
- Consider enabling notifications in the app for milestone alerts (e.g., when a runner hits certain mile markers or finishes) so you don’t miss important moments.
- If you’re tracking multiple runners, you can typically add several profiles in the app or on the website and monitor them simultaneously.
Tips for accurate tracking
- Rely on the official app and website for the most accurate, fastest updates; third-party trackers can be helpful but may lag slightly behind or vary in data presentation.
- If you plan on following elite or wave-specific flows, note that timing and visibility may differ by wave and mile marker, so cross-check with the course maps in the app.
Illustrative example
- If you want to follow a runner named Jane Doe with bib 12345, you would search for her in the official app or on the B.A.A. website, add her to your watch list, and receive live updates on her location and pace as she progresses from Hopkinton to Boylston Street, with an estimated finish time updated in real time.
Would you like me to pull the current links to the official app store pages and the B.A.A. tracking page for easy access, or help you gather step-by-step setup instructions tailored to your device (iPhone vs Android)? I can also summarize recent articles from major outlets if you want recent reporting beyond the basics. Citations: The guidance reflects app features and official tracking options reported by multiple outlets, including CBS News and The Boston Globe.[7][3][6]