2026 Boston Marathon cheat sheet: Where to watch, what to bring

Driving the news: The race will have runners start in six waves this year instead of the usual four to improve the athletes' experience, per the Boston Athletic Association.

• This year's grand marshal is Jack Fultz, who won the 1976 Boston Marathon amid temperatures nearing 100 degrees.

Zoom in: The race kicks off at 9:06am with the wheelchair men's division. The wheelchair women's division starts 3 minutes later.

• Next up are the handcycles/duos, professional and para athletics divisions, followed by the remaining athletes running in six waves between 10am and 11:21am.

The intrigue: The nonbinary division, which debuted in 2023 with 27 runners, includes 116 participants this year.

• Joining them are 18,160 men and 14,012 women.

Where to watch: WCVB and ESPN2 will air the marathon.

• You can also track a runner's progress on the B.A.A. Racing App.

If you go: Take the T and avoid the road closures along the 26.2-mile route.

Be smart: Remember, security won't let you through if you have a backpack, suitcase, cooler, flagpole or other banned items.

• That includes any glass container, can or other container that can hold over 1 liter of liquid.
• If you try to join the race without a bib, you'll be asked to leave.