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Boston Marathon 2017: Time, live TV schedule for Monday’s race

The 121st running of the Boston Marathon is set for Monday, and here’s how you can watch.

Apr 16, 2017, 12:00 PM UTC

Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images

On Monday, the best distance runners in the world will descend on Boston for the 2017 Boston Marathon. The 121st iteration of the race will feature more than 25,000 runners who will be split into groups, including those who are mobility impaired, in wheelchairs, handcycles, and of course, the headlining elite men and elite women groups.

And then there’s the biggest group of all: the amateurs who will depart in waves after everybody else. The race will get underway at 8:50 a.m. ET on Monday, with elite runners beginning at 9:32 a.m. when the elite women start. The NBC Sports Network will have television coverage beginning at 8:30 a.m.

A live stream of the race will also be available via NBC Sports Live and via the Boston Athletic Association website, also beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Last year, Lemi Berhanu Hayle won the race in 2:12:45 for the elite men, besting then-defending champion Lelisa Desisa. In the women’s elite race, Atsede Baysa came from 37 seconds behind the leaders with only 3.5 miles to go to win it in 2:29:19.

In general, elite men can expect to finish in the 2:15:00 range, while women aren’t too far behind in the 2:30:00 range.

As mentioned, the elite women will start at 9:32 a.m., and elite men will kick off the first of four waves of runners at 10 a.m.

Most of the big names will be in action, including Olympians such as Galen Rupp, Meb Keflezighi and Jared Ward. But there are some notable scratches, including Dennis Kimetto and Patrick Makau.

Desi Linden, an Olympian on the women’s side, will have her work cut out for her if she wants to beat the field. Both defending champions will also be in action on the day.

Below is all you need to know to watch on Monday.