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2026 Boston Marathon

The Biggest Moments Of The Boston Marathon, A Short History

The Biggest Moments Of The Boston Marathon, A Short History

These Boston Marathon moments have shaped the history of America's most celebrated road running event.

Apr 8, 2026 by John Davern
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Ryan Hall runs american record time 2:04:58 at 2011 Boston Marathon3:52

The Boston Marathon has forged some of the greatest moments in American Road Running History, and has also seen some of the worst that humanity has to offer.

Ahead of the 2026 running of the Boston Marathon, let's take a moment to reflect on the biggest and most iconic moments in the event's 130 years of history. The 2026 Boston Marathon is scheduled for April 20, 2026. 

1897 - The Very First Boston Marathon

The very first Boston "Marathon" was held on April 19, 1897. At the time, the event was called the American Marathon - and just 24.5 miles were covered from Ashland to the Irvington Oval in Boston. Only 15-men started the first Boston Marathon before John J. McDermott eventually took the first victory - in 2:55:10.

The course would later be lengthened to the 26.2 Mile distance in 1924.

1947 - Boston's First World Best

In 1947, Korean Suh Yun-Bok ran a 2:25:39 to win the Boston Marathon and set a World Best in the event. A year later, he represented South Korea at the 1948 Olympic Games. He would retire from running in 1949.


1966 & 1967 - Roberta Gibb and Katherine Switzer Make Women's History

In 1966, Roberta Gibbs became the first known woman to run the Boston Marathon. She ran without a bib and as an unregistered entrant. She hid near the start and would run the full race in 3:21:40.

Just a year later, Katherine Switzer entered the Boston Marathon under the name KV Switzer. Women were not allowed to enter, but under the alias she received a bib and became the first "registered" woman to run the Boston Marathon. Iconically a race official attempted to stop Switzer from completing the race but she prevailed.

Eventually, in 1996 - the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) would recognize Roberta Gibb as the women's winner of the 1966, 1967 and 1968 Boston Marathon races. KV Switzer's bib number of 261 was retired on the 50th anniversary of her 1967 race, on April 18, 2017.

In 1972, the women's division was officially established.


1975 - Boston Became The First World Major To Add Add a Wheelchair Division

In 1975, the Boston Marathon included a wheelchair division, and officially recognized Bob Hall as the winner of that race when he crossed the line in 2:58. He recieved an official B.A.A. Finisher's certificate.

1975 - Bill Rodgers Wins His First Title, and A Women's World Best

Bill Rodgers won his first of four Boston Marathon Titles in 1975. He did so in magnificent fashion running 2:09:55 to set an American Best in the event.

Rodgers would later win three-straight Boston Title from 1978 to 1980.

West Germany's Liane Winter also ran a world best of 2:42:24 at the 1975 Boston Marathon.

1982 - Duel In The Sun

The 1982 Boston Marathon offered one of most dramatic races in American Road Running History. Alberto Salazar and Dick Beardsley battled in scorching conditions for Boston Marathon glory.

Two American youngsters (and later all-time greats) took the line in 1982, with most eyes on Alberto Salazar. At just 23, he had already won the NYC Marathon and had multiple NCAA titles on his resume. Temperatures were relatively scorching, with the the thermometer reaching it's way in to the 70's.

Late in the race, four-time champion Bill Rodgers was no longer in the picture - which left just Salazar and Beardsley in it.

The two clashed over the closing miles of the Boston Marathon before Salazar blew past Beardsley in the final half mile. Beardsley responded, but ultimately finished two seconds back from Salazar who took the win in a Course Record of 2:08:51.

1983 - Joan Benoit Wins With A World Best

Joan Benoit won the 1983 Boston Marathon in a World Best 2:22:43. She would use the momentum from that win to later win the 1984 Olympic Marathon. She became the first person to win a Boston Marathon Title and an Olympic Marathon Title.

1988 - Ibrahim Hussein, First African To Win A World Major

At the 1988 Boston Marathon, Kenyan Ibrahim Hussein would win the Boston Marathon and become the first African Man to win a world major. He would later score victory at the 1991 and 1992 Boston Marathons. 

2011 - Ryan Hall Runs American Best

At the 2011 Boston Marathon, Ryan Hall iconically broke the 2:05 barrier, running 2:04:58 to place fourth overall. The time was the fastest in American History - until Conner Mantz ran 2:04:43 at the Chicago Marathon last fall.


2013 - The Boston Marathon Bombing

The Boston Marathon Bombing occurred in 2013, when two explosive devices were detonated near the finish line on Boylston Street. Tragically, four lives were lost during the events of the day. "Boston Strong" became a rallying call for the running community.

2014 - Meb Wins It

In the wake of the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing, American Meb Keflezighi won the 2014 Boston Marathon in 2:08:37.

"I'm blessed to be an American,"  Keflezighi said following his historic win. "This is a special day, Patriots Day...This is beyond words."

He was the first American Man to win the Boston marathon since 1983, when Greg Meyer took victory.

2018 - Des Battles The Weather

In horrid weather conditions, Des Linden famously battled torrential rain and gusty winds for a gutsy Boston Marathon win. She became the first American women to win the Boston Marathon in 33 years. Lisa Rainsberger was the last American to win the Boston Marathon before Des. She claimed the Boston crown in 1985.


How To Watch The Boston Marathon 2026

In the USA, the 2026 Boston Marathon will be broadcast on ESPN2. 

In Australia, Ireland, and the UK, the 2026 Boston Marathon will be broadcast on FloTrack. 

Boston Marathon 2026 Elite Entries

Women's Field

  • Sharon Lokedi (KEN) — 2:17:22 (Boston, 2025) CR
  • Irine Cheptai (KEN) — 2:17:51 (Chicago, 2024)
  • Workenesh Edesa (ETH) — 2:17:55 (Hamburg, 2025)
  • Loice Chemnung (KEN) — 2:18:24 (Chicago, 2025)
  • Bedatu Hirpa (ETH) — 2:18:27 (Dubai, 2025)
  • Emily Sisson (USA) — 2:18:29 (Chicago, 2022) AR/NR
  • Mary Ngugi-Cooper (KEN) — 2:19:26 (Chicago, 2025)
  • Sara Hall* (USA) — 2:20:32 (Chandler, 2020)
  • Calli Hauger-Thackery (GBR) — 2:21:24 (Berlin, 2024)
  • Fikrte Wereta (ETH) — 2:21:32 (Seoul, 2024)
  • Susanna Sullivan (USA) — 2:21:56 (Chicago, 2024)
  • Fiona O’Keeffe (USA) — 2:22:10 (Orlando, 2024)
  • Mao Uesugi (JPN) — 2:22:11 (Nagoya, 2025)
  • Jess McClain (USA) — 2:22:43 (Boston, 2025)
  • Erika Kemp (USA) — 2:22:56 (Houston, 2025)
  • Isobel Batt-Doyle (AUS) — 2:22:59 (Valencia, 2024)
  • Lisa Weightman* (AUS) — 2:23:15 (Osaka, 2023)
  • Annie Frisbie (USA) — 2:23:21 (Boston, 2025)
  • Mercy Chelangat (KEN) — 2:23:33 (Ottawa, 2025)
  • Dakotah Popehn (USA) — 2:24:20 (Chicago, 2025)
  • Amanda Vestri (USA) — 2:25:40 (NYC, 2025)
  • Paige Wood (USA) — 2:26:02 (Sacramento, 2022)
  • Stephanie Bruce (USA) — 2:27:47 (Chicago, 2019)
  • Madey Dickson (USA) — 2:28:57 (Sacramento, 2025)
  • Zaida Ramos (PER) — 2:29:49 (Seville, 2024)
  • Elena Hayday (USA) — 2:30:51 (Duluth, 2023)
  • Carrie Ellwood (USA) — 2:31:51 (Chicago, 2021)
  • Diana Bogantes (CRI) — 2:32:08 (Valencia) NR
  • Monica Hebner (USA) — 2:32:40 (Sacramento, 2024)
  • Katie Florio (USA) — 2:32:44 (Philadelphia, 2024)
  • Katie Kellner (USA) — 2:32:48 (Berlin, 2023)
  • Breanna Sieracki (USA) — 2:32:53 (Sacramento, 2025)
  • Carolyn Buchanan (CAN) — 2:32:54 (Sacramento, 2025)
  • Marybeth Chelanga (USA) — 2:33:33 (Orlando, 2024)
  • Elizabeth Chikotas (USA) — 2:33:57 (Sacramento, 2025)
  • Ava Crean (IRL) — 2:34:12 (Dublin, 2025)
  • Marte Maehlum-Johansen (NOR) — 2:34:54 (Hamburg, 2025)
  • Megan O’Neil (USA) — 2:34:55 (Duluth, 2024)
  • Maria Lindberg* (USA) — 2:34:59 (Chicago, 2025)
  • Felicia Pasadyn (USA) — 2:35:17 (NYC, 2025)
  • Julia Vasquez (USA) — 2:35:58 (Sacramento, 2025)
  • Madeline Block (USA) — 2:36:28 (Sacramento, 2025)
  • Alana Levy (USA) — 2:36:53 (Chicago, 2025)
  • Isabel Tortorella (USA) — 2:37:07 (Sacramento, 2025)
  • Caitlin McGinley (USA) — 2:37:12 (Lowell, 2025)
  • Erin Del Giudice (USA) — 2:37:36 (Duluth, 2025)
  • Teagan Robertson (CAN) — 2:37:51 (Sacramento, 2024)
  • Cara Udvadia (USA) — 2:38:25 (Sacramento, 2025)
  • Emilee Risteen (USA) — 2:38:46 (Duluth, 2023)
  • Elizabeth Reichert (USA) — 2:38:49 (Sacramento, 2024)
  • Marissa Lenger (USA) — 2:38:51 (Valley Cottage, 2023)
  • Cassandra de Winter (CAN) — 2:39:52 (Victoria, 2025)
  • Hannah Olde Loohuis (NED) — 2:40:39 (Amsterdam, 2025)
  • Leanne Klassen (CAN) — 2:40:56 (Houston, 2025)
  • Karen Bertasso* (USA) — 2:41:15 (Sacramento, 2025)
  • Polly Cunes* (CAN) — 2:41:27 (Chicago, 2025)
  • Marije Geurtsen* (NED) — 2:42:45 (Berlin, 2019)

Men's Field

  • Benson Kipruto (KEN) — 2:02:16 (Tokyo, 2024)
  • John Korir (KEN) — 2:02:24 (Valencia, 2025)
  • Milkesa Mengesha (ETH) — 2:03:17 (Berlin, 2024)
  • Cybrian Kotut (KEN) — 2:03:22 (Berlin, 2024)
  • Abdi Nageeye (NED) — 2:04:20 (London, 2025)
  • Lemi Berhanu (ETH) — 2:04:33 (Dubai, 2016)
  • Hailemaryam Kiros (ETH) — 2:04:35 (Sydney, 2025) CR
  • Alex Masai (KEN) — 2:04:37 (Chicago, 2025)
  • Alphonce Felix Simbu (TAN) — 2:04:38 (Valencia, 2024)
  • Mohamed Esa (ETH) — 2:04:39 (Chicago, 2024)
  • Benard Biwott (KEN) — 2:05:25 (Paris, 2025)
  • Kennedy Kimutai (KEN) — 2:05:27 (Rotterdam, 2025)
  • Zouhair Talbi (MAR/USA) — 2:05:45 (Houston, 2026)
  • Richard Ringer (GER) — 2:05:46 (Valencia, 2024)
  • Sondre Nordstad Moen (NOR) — 2:05:48 (Fukuoka, 2017) NR
  • Galen Rupp (USA) — 2:06:07 (Prague, 2018)
  • Tebello Ramakongoana (LES) — 2:06:18 (Xiamen) NR
  • Hendrik Pfeiffer (GER) — 2:06:45 (Valencia, 2025)
  • Rory Linkletter (CAN) — 2:06:49 (Chicago, 2025)
  • Clayton Young (USA) — 2:07:04 (Boston, 2025)
  • Tsegay Weldlibanos (ERI) — 2:07:35 (Sacramento, 2024)
  • Patrick Tiernan (AUS) — 2:07:45 (Houston, 2024)
  • Ryan Ford (USA) — 2:08:00 (Boston, 2025)
  • CJ Albertson (USA) — 2:08:17 (Chicago, 2024)
  • Yemane Haileselassie (ERI) — 2:08:25 (Houston, 2025)
  • Alex Maier (USA) — 2:08:33 (Dusseldorf, 2025)
  • Amaury Paquet (BEL) — 2:08:44 (Valencia, 2023)
  • Sam Chelanga* (USA) — 2:08:50 (Chicago, 2023)
  • Ser-od Bat-Ochir* (MGL) — 2:08:50 (Fukuoka, 2014)
  • Daniel Mesfun (USA) — 2:08:51 (Dublin, 2025)
  • Wesley Kiptoo (USA) — 2:08:54 (Boston, 2025)
  • Ben Preisner (CAN) — 2:08:58 (Oita, 2024)
  • Segundo Jami (ECU) — 2:09:05 (Valencia, 2023) NR
  • Turner Wiley (USA) — 2:09:27 (Chandler, 2025)
  • Colin Bennie (USA) — 2:09:38 (Chandler, 2020)
  • Charles Hicks (USA/GBR) — 2:09:59 (NYC, 2025)
  • Tiidrek Nurme (EST) — 2:10:02 (Sevilla, 2020)
  • Nick Hauger (USA) — 2:10:18 (Chandler, 2025)
  • Joe Klecker (USA) — 2:10:37 (NYC, 2025)
  • Chris Maxon (USA) — 2:10:55 (Sacramento, 2025)
  • Juan Luis Barrios* (MEX) — 2:10:55 (Tokyo, 2018)
  • Jacob Thomson (USA) — 2:10:56 (Sacramento, 2025)
  • Thijs Nijhuis (DEN) — 2:10:57 (Seville, 2020)
  • Barry Keane (IRL) — 2:11:31 (Chandler, 2025)
  • Jason Weitzel (USA) — 2:11:45 (Sacramento, 2025)
  • Murphy Smith (USA) — 2:11:59 (Sacramento, 2025)
  • Charlie Sweeney (USA) — 2:12:00 (Boston, 2025)
  • Robert Miranda (USA) — 2:12:07 (Sacramento, 2024)
  • Riley Nedrow (USA) — 2:12:47 (Tucson, 2024)
  • Matias Silva (CHI) — 2:12:48 (Seville, 2025)
  • Ryan Johnson (USA) — 2:12:58 (Sacramento, 2025)
  • Martin Olesen (DEN) — 2:13:17 (Valencia, 2025)
  • Ben Olson (USA) — 2:13:25 (Sacramento, 2025)
  • Ryan Eiler (USA) — 2:13:36 (NYC, 2024)
  • Primoz Kobe* (SLO) — 2:13:36 (Siena, 2021)
  • Jack Mastandrea (USA) — 2:14:02 (Sacramento, 2025)
  • Jonathan Phillips (USA) — 2:14:11 (Duluth, 2022)
  • Lars Dewall (USA) — 2:14:20 (Sacramento, 2025)
  • Garret Lee (USA) — 2:14:28 (Sacramento, 2025)
  • Esteban Trujillo* (USA) — 2:14:32 (Sacramento, 2025)
  • Dominic Arce (USA) — 2:14:32 (Vancouver, 2025)
  • Kristoffer Mugrage (USA) — 2:15:01 (Chandler, 2025)
  • Edward Mulder (USA) — 2:15:07 (Berlin, 2025)
  • Michael Ottesen (USA) — 2:15:21 (Sacramento, 2024)
  • Charlie Lawrence (USA) — 2:16:10 (Valley Cottage, 2023)
  • Prescott Leach* (USA) — 2:17:29 (Sacramento, 2023)
  • Karabo L Koenaite Sr.* (RSA) — 2:18:03 (Cape Gate Vaal)
  • Meng-Tsung S Chu* (TPE) — 2:19:36 (Berlin, 2024)
  • Aaron Metler* (USA) — 2:19:48 (St. George, 2025)
  • Petter Engdahl (SWE) — Debut
  • Nicholas Kipkorir (KEN) — Debut

Boston Marathon Qualifying Standards 2026

Men’s Standards

  • 18–34: 2:55:00
  • 35–39: 3:00:00
  • 40–44: 3:05:00
  • 45–49: 3:15:00
  • 50–54: 3:20:00
  • 55–59: 3:30:00
  • 60–64: 3:50:00
  • 65–69: 4:05:00
  • 70–74: 4:20:00
  • 75–79: 4:35:00
  • 80+: 4:50:00

Women’s Standards

  • 18–34: 3:25:00
  • 35–39: 3:30:00
  • 40–44: 3:35:00
  • 45–49: 3:45:00
  • 50–54: 3:50:00
  • 55–59: 4:00:00
  • 60–64: 4:20:00
  • 65–69: 4:35:00
  • 70–74: 4:50:00
  • 75–79: 5:05:00
  • 80+: 5:20:00

Non-Binary Standards

  • 18–34: 3:25:00
  • 35–39: 3:30:00
  • 40–44: 3:35:00
  • 45–49: 3:45:00
  • 50–54: 3:50:00
  • 55–59: 4:00:00
  • 60–64: 4:20:00
  • 65–69: 4:35:00
  • 70–74: 4:50:00
  • 75–79: 5:05:00
  • 80+: 5:20:00

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