CheerMyRun

How to track a runner at the Boston Marathon live

Following someone at the Boston Marathon? The official race tracker updates when runners cross timing mats. CheerMyRun adds a live dot from your runner's own phone, between the mats too, plus pace, distance and voice cheers that play in their ear in Boston.

Race day
every year on Patriots' Day, the third Monday of April
City
Boston, United States
Distance
Marathon · 42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Official race site
baa.org

The Boston Marathon is the world's oldest annual marathon: a point-to-point course from Hopkinton to Boylston Street, and most runners qualify with a time standard.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

How it works on race day

  1. Your runner installs CheerMyRun on iPhone or Android and sets up the race before the start.
  2. They share their CheerMyRun link with you and anyone else who wants to follow.
  3. During the race you see their position on a live map, with distance and pace.
  4. You record short voice cheers, and they play automatically in your runner's headphones.

Spectator tips for the Boston Marathon

  • Get your runner's bib number and target pace before race day, so you know roughly when they will reach you.
  • Pick one or two spots to watch from and plan how to get there; big city marathons close roads, so public transport is usually easier.
  • Open the tracking link before you head out. Mobile data can slow down near the course when crowds are large.
  • Use the official race app for split times at the timing mats, and CheerMyRun for the live dot and cheers in between.
  • Agree on a meeting point after the finish; finish areas get crowded and phones can be hard to reach.

Get CheerMyRun before race day

Free to download on iPhone and Android. Set it up the day before so the link is ready to share.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Questions about tracking this race

How can I track a runner at the Boston Marathon live?

Ask your runner to start the race in CheerMyRun and share their link. You will see their live position on a map with distance and pace for the whole Boston Marathon, and you can send voice cheers that play in their headphones.

Is this the official race tracker?

No. CheerMyRun is an independent running tracker and is not affiliated with the Boston Marathon. Use the official race app for chip times at the timing mats, and CheerMyRun for a live GPS dot and voice cheers in between.

Does my runner need to carry their phone?

Yes. The live position comes from the runner's phone GPS, and cheers play through the headphones connected to it.

Can friends in another country follow the race?

Yes. Anyone with the link can follow from anywhere, and cheers reach the runner wherever they are on the course.

Is CheerMyRun free?

CheerMyRun is free to download on iPhone and Android and offers in-app purchases. Plans and prices are shown in the app before you subscribe.

Other race guides

Track a runner liveWhat is CheerMyRun?