Best Places To Watch The 2021 Boston Marathon In Newton

NEWTON, MA —If you thought about checking out the 'Scream Tunnel,' but changed your mind over the popularity, there are plenty of other options around Newton. Why not try the famous Heartbreak Hill?

Heartbreak Hill is one of the most famous and difficult features of the Boston Marathon route.

The final hill of Newton is the legendary Heartbreak, beginning after the shops at Center Street and rises a half-mile to Hammond Street. In itself, the incline is not that challenging; but after 20 1/2 miles, the effort becomes the toughest stretch on the course.

Once runners hit the summit though, the Prudential Tower - the North Star of Boston, as some call it, comes into view, giving runners even more of a reason to keep pushing.

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 Newton, the best advice is to get there as early as you possibly can, and maybe check out Heartbreak Hill.

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

The optimal viewing time to catch the runners in Newton is from 10:15 a.m. - 10:40 a.m.

West Newton is an ideal area to spot your family since it is about 17 miles in, and there are plenty of spots nearby to grab lunch. Runners will turn onto Commonwealth Avenue at this point from Route 16, and it is right before Heartbreak Hill so runners will be looking for motivation and cheers.

The best way to get to Newton from Boston is on the Green Line's D Branch on the MBTA.

MBTA Locations:

There are many MBTA Stations in Newton, including the Green Line's D Branch, and the Framingham/Worcester Commuter Rail.

First, off of the Framingham/Worcester line, there's Auburndale Station, located a half-mile from the course.

Next is West Newton Station, also a half-mile from the race.

Then there's Newtonville Station, a full mile from the race, but closer to Heartbreak Hill.

If you'd rather take the Green Line, hop on a D Line train to Riverside, Woodland, or Newton Centre.

You can also take a B Line train to South Street, Boston College or Chestnut Hill.

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 Newton:

Find a full list of closed roads in Newton here.

All of Beacon Street in Newton will be closed from 7:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.

Parts of Chestnut Street, Walnut Street, Centre Street, Hammond Pond Parkway, Hammond Street, and Chestnut Hill Ave will also be closed from 7:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.

Parking In Newton:

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 best course of action, but spots may be scarce unless you get there early enough.

You can park at any of the Newton Commuter Rail MBTA stations if parking is still available.

Daily parking rates are $2 – $15, and you can pay in cash, credit, or on your phone.

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.

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.

A Little History of Newton

On Monday, April 20, 1936, the last of Newton's hills was given the nickname "Heartbreak Hill" by Boston Globe reporter Jerry Nason. Runner John A. Kelly caught eventual champion Ellison "Tarzan" Brown on the Newton hills and gave him a friendly tap on the shoulder. Brown responded by flooring it, regaining the lead on the final hill, and "breaking Kelly's heart."

The Newton hills have been called the "emotional high" of the race, as a slight incline tends to make some of the runners fall behind, and the ones with more momentum fly ahead.

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

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