Minuteman Commuter Bikeway • 7 Loops • 26.2 Miles
The Minuteman BQ Marathon is powered by volunteers. We need help with course safety, packet pickup, registration, and gear drop & return. It's a fantastic way to be part of race day and support runners chasing their Boston qualifier.
Join us Sunday, September 6, 2026 — and if you can, help out at packet pickup on Saturday, September 5 as well.
Sign Up to Volunteer →The Minuteman BQ Marathon runs 7 loops on the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway, which means you'll get to see your runner come through multiple times! Here are the best places to cheer them on.
422 Summer St, Arlington, MA 02474. The heart of race day. The start/finish sits near the midpoint of the bikeway, so you'll see your runner pass through at the beginning and end of every single loop. Parking is available on site and at nearby plazas within easy walking distance.
Stand on the bridge and watch runners pass below on the bikeway. This bridge is on the western leg of the course, so runners come through here twice per loop — once heading toward Bow St and once on the way back. Over 7 loops, that's up to 14 passes from one spot!
Another overhead vantage point along the western leg. Like Drake Ave, runners pass below twice per loop in both directions. Bring a sign — runners love spotting a familiar face from below!
The far western end of the course. Watching here puts you right at the moment runners flip direction — a close-up, energetic spot to offer a boost every loop. Note: parking is limited in this area, so plan ahead and arrive early.
The far eastern end of the course. Runners head out from the start/finish eastward to Mill St before turning back — there are no bridge overpasses on this side, so it's a quieter, more personal spot to cheer them on.