Best Places To Watch The 2021 Boston Marathon In Brookline

BROOKLINE, MA —The Boston Marathon crowds gain almost as much momentum in Brookline as some of the runners.

Crowds grow thicker, and areas of Brookline become completely shut down to make way for the runners and marathon traffic.

Once runners hit mile 24 of the race, Boston University students line both sides of Commonwealth Avenue, cheering almost as loudly as the Wellesley students.

The end of Heartbreak Hill leans towards Brookline, making for a prime viewing and cheering location, as many runners lose momentum due to the incline after 20 miles.

After last year's race was canceled due to the coronavirus, this year's marathon will be the first time in 910 days the famous race will be run.

But if you want to catch a good spot to post up in Brookline, the best advice is to get there as early as you possibly can, and maybe check out Heartbreak Hill.

The first participants start rolling through town just before noon after turning the bend in Cleveland Circle for that last - thrilling - push to the Finish Line near Copley. From about noon until 3 p.m. Beacon Street is transformed into one giant cheering station.

If you plan to drive to Brookline, please consider that roads near the racecourse will begin to close around 8:30 a.m. Traffic will be heavy, and trains will be crowded so give ample time for travel.

The optimal viewing time to catch the runners in Brookline is from 10:30 a.m. - 11 p.m.

The best way to get to Brookline from Boston is on the Green Line's B, C, or D line on the MBTA.

MBTA Locations:

The race roars through the heart of Brookline and historic Beacon Street. Spectators can access the Cleveland Circle (Mile 22.3) area by taking either the 'B' Chestnut Hill Avenue line, 'C' Cleveland Circle line or 'D' Reservoir branch of the MBTA Green Line.

The MBTA Green Line 'C' branch runs parallel to the racecourse from miles 22.3 to 24.6. It's important to note that the 'B' and 'C' line stops are on the north side (runner left) of the course, while the 'D' line stop Reservoir is on the south side of the course (runner right).

Since most roads will be closed, taking the train to a viewing location along the route might be your best way to get an ideal viewing or cheering spot.

Though full disclosure: the MBTA says it may adjust service or temporarily close stations near the finish line in the interest of public safety on Marathon Monday.

There is a map of T stops along the Boston Marathon trail the MBTA released, and you can use it to find a T stop near your viewing spot below, and then use the MBTA trip planner to find out how to get there.

There is no public transportation access to the course again until Mile 21.5, where the MBTA Green Line’s 'B' line terminates at 'Boston College' on the north side of the course (runner left). A short walk to Mile 20.8 will bring spectators near the top of Heartbreak Hill. The 'B' line is a slow ride with many stops, so allow for ample travel time if coming from Boston.

Road Closures In Brookline:

All of Beacon Street in Brookline will close at 8:30 a.m. and reopen at 6:30 p.m. But how will you get to the other side?

There will only be three places in all of Brookline to cross the marathon route aka Beacon Street, as the entire length of the marathon is blocked off by those bright orange metal barricades.

Police will man the route and they will point you to one of the following places if they see you trying to climb over or scoot around the barriers.

Pedestrian crossings involve specially trained Marathon volunteers, they'll have you line up to make a run for a spot in the middle of the street while directing runners well in advance to avoid you.

Then once everyone from one side of the road is safe and sound in the middle of a huddle in the street, the volunteers will direct runners to the other side, letting pedestrians scoot out of the street and safely to the other side.

• Beacon and Hawes Streets,
• Beacon and Webster Streets
• Beacon and Tappan Street.

But note, these crossings aren't going to be speedy and when the marathon is at its heaviest (usually from noon to 2 p.m. ) so you'll have to wait.

Parts of Dean Road, Washington Street, Tappan Street, Winthrop Road, University Road, Vernan Street, Harvard Street, Saint Paul Street, Longwood Avenue, Kent Street, and Park Drive will be closed from 8:00 a.m. - 6:45 p.m.

Parking In Brookline:

Police recommend not parking along Beacon Street from Sunday - Tuesday.

Parking restrictions along the route may be in place leading up to and on the day of the marathon.

Available side street parking might be the better course of action, but spots may be scarce unless you get there early enough.

Here are the tow zones around Brookline:

• Beacon Street: Westbound along the median strips, westbound curbside from Pleasant Street to Short Street, and eastbound from Cleveland Circle to Park Drive
• St. Paul Street: Sewall Avenue to Beacon Street.
• Harvard Street: Sewall Avenue to Beacon Street.
• Longwood Avenue: Sewall Avenue to Harvard Street.
• Marion Street: Park Street to Beacon Street.
• Washington Street: Fairbanks Street to Beacon Street.
• University Road: 100 University Road to Beacon Street.
• Winthrop Road: from Garrison to Beacon Street.
• Dean Road: Beaconsfield Road to Beacon Street.
• Strathmore Road: 21 Strathmore Road to Clinton Path.
• Tappan Street: Garrison Road to Beacon Street.
• Clinton Path: The whole thing.
• Fairbanks Street: The whole thing.
• Webster Street: The whole thing. Watch also for this to become a two-way street.
• Sections of St. Mary's, Carlton, Hawes, and Borland streets will also have restricted parking.

When to Watch in Coolidge Corner

• 10:20 a.m. - 10:34 Men's wheelchair division followed by the ladies, according to the B.A.A. spectator's guide.
• 11:45 a.m. - 11: 58 a.m. Elite Women and the Elite Men groups are expected to reach Coolidge Corner.
• 11: 58 a.m. Look for the exciting first wave of runners.
• 2:45 p.m. is when the last wave of runners should start reaching the area at around 2:45 p.m.

Full Route Information:

The course starts on Main Street in Hopkinton and follows Route 135 through Ashland, Framingham, Natick, and Wellesley.

When Route 135 joins Route 16, it continues along through Newton Lower Falls, turning right at the fire station onto Commonwealth Avenue, which is Route 30.

It follows Commonwealth Avenue through Newton Hills, bearing right at the reservoir onto Chestnut Hill Avenue to Cleveland Circle.

The route then turns left onto Beacon Street, continuing through Brookline, Kenmore Square, and under Massachusetts Avenue.

The course turns right onto Hereford Street, then left onto Boylston Street, finishing up near the Boston Public Library in Copley Square.

Move your bike:

If you have a bike locked to a pole along the route? Brookline Police will clip it off and take it to their lost and found starting October 10.

Rules and Guidelines:

Those interested in attending the race this year are also being asked for their cooperation in following reasonable and common-sense guidelines that will help ensure the safety and security of participants, volunteers, and spectators.

Spectators intending on watching the Boston Marathon from anywhere along the 26.2-mile course should expect a significant presence of uniformed and plain-clothed police officers.

Spectators entering official B.A.A. event venues, approaching viewing areas on the course, or in viewing areas on the course, may be asked to pass through security checkpoints, and law enforce

For a full list of items prohibited from the race click here.

For more information on the Boston Marathon, check out the Boston Athletic Association's website.

More on Patch:

• When Is The 2021 Boston Marathon
• What Is The Mask Policy For Boston Marathon 2021
• How To Watch The 2021 Boston Marathon

Jenna Fischer helped contribute to this article.

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