Starting near the Hôtel de Ville and ending at Les Invalides, the marathon at the 2024 Summer Olympics passes by some genuinely iconic French landmarks. Viewers in the U.S. can watch it all via USA Network and Peacock, which will carry both the men’s and women’s races.
Continue through our guide to discover how to watch more marathon races on TV. We outline the go-to channels and this year’s World Marathon Majors schedule so you never miss a step.
What channels show marathon running?
While channels vary between races, ESPN, NBC Sports, and FloSports platforms show the most marathon coverage. Additionally, local ABC and NBC news stations typically air in-market races.
Beyond annual marathons, Peacock is a must-have service for special events like the World Athletics Road Running Championships and the Summer Olympics.
2024 World Marathon Majors TV schedule
The World Marathon Majors (WMM) is an annual six-race series of the world’s most renowned marathons. Because of each race’s popularity, they are generally available to watch on TV and online.
Our table below highlights the different channels and viewing platforms for the 2024 season. We also included the Paris Olympic marathons, as those results factor into this season’s final standings.
| Race | Day | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo Marathon | Saturday, March 2 | 6:30 p.m. | FloSports |
| Boston Marathon | Monday, April 15 | 8:30 a.m. | ESPN2, ESPN+, WCVB-TV |
| London Marathon | Sunday, April 21 | 3:00 a.m. | FloSports |
| Men’s Olympic Marathon | Saturday, Aug. 10 | 2:00 a.m. | Peacock, USA Network |
| Women’s Olympic Marathon | Sunday, Aug. 11 | 2:00 a.m. | Peacock, USA Network |
| Berlin Marathon | Sunday, Sept. 29 | 3:15 a.m. | FloSports |
| Chicago Marathon | Sunday, Oct. 13 | 8:00 a.m. | Peacock, WMAQ-TV, WSNS-TV |
| New York City Marathon | Sunday, Nov. 3 | 8:00 a.m. | ESPN2, ESPN3, WABC-TV |
Data effective as of post date.
Best TV services for watching marathon running
The best TV service for watching marathon running depends on what races you want to see.
To follow this year’s World Marathon Majors, you’ll need Peacock, FloSports, and any TV provider with ESPN channels. We recommend Hulu + Live TV because it includes ESPN+, which has extensive college track and field coverage.
The three services above cost a lot in the long run (pun intended). So, before subscribing, you’ll want to decide which events matter most to you.
Ultimately, we prioritize Peacock because of its inexpensive plans and premier endurance racing coverage—including the Summer Olympics and World Athletics Championships.
How to watch marathon running online for free
Many of the most popular U.S. marathon races stream on local news websites and social media platforms. For instance, the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon streamed live on ABC7NY.com, while the Bank of America Chicago Marathon was on NBCChicago.com.
Pro tip: If you’re scrambling for broadcast details on race day, try searching for the race on YouTube.
How to watch marathon running FAQ
How can I watch the Road Running Championships?
Peacock streamed the inaugural World Athletics Road Running Championships for U.S.-based viewers in 2023. The next edition will happen in 2025, as San Diego hosts the marathon, half-marathon, 5K, and one-mile championships.
How can I watch the Olympic marathon?
USA Network will air the men’s and women’s Olympic marathons, but you can also stream both events on Peacock. The streaming service also carried the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in early February.
