A low flying military transport aircraft zoomed over the Boston Marathon course in Natick on Monday morning, after starting in Hopkinton and before racing to Boston. People nearby worried about the church steeples taking a hit, but the plane wasn’t that low.

According to the Boston Athletic Association, the C-130 plane was operated by the 103rd Airlift Wing of the Connecticut Air National Guard out of the Bradley Air National Guard Base. The plane crossed the start line at about 9:55:30am and covered the course in just six minutes.

There was plenty of National Guard presence along the course as well as part of the marathon security team.

More photos from the 2026 Boston Marathon in Natick and Wellesley.

The true spirit of Patriots’ Day was on display throughout Natick on Monday along the Boston Marathon course, as 30,000-plus racers made their way through on their way to Boylston Street. Temps in the 40s, with a mix of sun and clouds, made for record-setting running day and solid spectator weather.

The crowd on both sides of Rte. 135 was loud through Natick Center, and provided steady support into Wellesley, with a few quiet spots along the way before the Scream Tunnel at the college.

 

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Spectators splitting their time between looking at the tracking app and watching the marathon, squealed in delight and doled out hugs when they spotted their runners. While we didn’t glimpse many of the runners we knew, we did see the hard-to-miss former Boston Bruins’ player Zdeno Chara speeding his way through.

There was plenty of music crankin’ along the course to keep participants going. A crooner singing old-timey tunes, the drummers in front of the library, and that always a raucous party on the left side after Mile 11, this year with its “Free Beer” sign, giant Tiger Woods head, and pumped-up jams.

Natick’s fastest male runner was Matthew George, who covered the course in just over 2 hours and 30 minutes, while the fastest female was Cara Schrager at just over 3 hours and 2 minutes. Overall, more than 50 Natick runners finished the race.

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Natick claims four-plus miles of the Boston Marathon course, including one of the liveliest in Natick Center. Runners hit the 7.5-mile mark crossing from Framingham into Natick, and leave shortly before the 12-mile mark in entering Wellesley, and the Wellesley College “Scream Tunnel.”

There’s not a bad seat in the house in Natick for watching the spectacle on April 20 along Rte. 135.

Note that the Natick Police Department will be closing off Rte. 135 from 7:30am-2:45pm.

Please share your best Boston Marathon photos from the Natick section of the course: natickreport@gmail.com

Where to watch

It depends on what you’re looking for. Big crowds will gather in Natick Center and along the Common, where you’re likely to find everything from drummers to vendor carts along the sidelines.

The Natick Center Cultural District is hosting a Rock & Run event on the Common.

Crowds are thinner at the start of Natick’s section of the course and along the climb into Wellesley. Natick is among the flattest part of the marathon course.

You can grab water views near the VFW, which sits between Lake Cochituate and Fisk Pond along the stretch from mile 9 to 10.

If you’re a history buff, you can let the shoe shop of former U.S. Vice President Henry Wilson photo bomb your marathon shots at mile 8.5.

The wheelchair athletes start just after 9am and should be hitting Natick Center by around 9:32am. The runners start shortly after 9:30am, so should be hitting Natick Center within an hour.

Further up the course in Wellesley, at the 13.5-mile mark, in front of the Tolles Parsons Center at 500 Washington St., will be a sensory friendly viewing area—cowbell free. The area is for those who prefer a quieter, less crowded space to experience the marathon. “Many people viewing from this area may have autism, a disability, or sensory needs,” according to the BAA, which is partnering with the town as well as representatives from the Flutie Foundation and Boston Marathon volunteers. Accessible bathrooms will be available inside the Tolles Parsons Center. Those wishing to access this space are encouraged to park at Wellesley High School.

Charity runners

We invited Natick residents and those participating in the race for Natick charities to share their info.

Here’s the list of Natick residents running the marathon, per the Boston Athletic Association:

Natick Public Schools student-athletes competing in Saturday’s pre-Marathon races in downtown Boston.