In the early hours of Monday, a contingent of Massachusetts National Guard members crossed the starting line of the Boston Marathon, marking the beginning of the 129th iteration of the esteemed marathon. This event, renowned globally as the oldest annual marathon, is celebrated with much anticipation. The race director sent off approximately 40 service members at 6 a.m., expressing gratitude for their service. This year, the occasion holds additional significance as it coincides with the 250th anniversary of Patriots’ Day, a state holiday commemorating the start of the Revolutionary War.
The town of Hopkinton, situated roughly 26.2 miles west of Boston, plays host to around 30,000 runners who are set to make their way to Copley Square. Alongside the main event, this year also marks the 50th anniversary of the inaugural wheelchair race. The wheelchair division began when Bob Hall participated in the 1975 Boston Marathon, completing the course in under three hours, setting the stage for a competitive wheelchair marathon scene worldwide.
Forecasts predict favorable weather conditions, with partly sunny skies, light winds, and temperatures ranging from the 50s to low 60s by the afternoon in Back Bay. The race director plans to join the race with his son, marking his 53rd participation in the Boston Marathon. He emphasized the extensive planning involved, highlighting the collaboration of numerous organizations and cities to ensure a successful event.
Defending champions Sisay Lemma from Ethiopia and Hellen Obiri from Kenya are set to return to defend their titles. Lemma made a significant impact last year by leading the men’s race early on, finishing with one of the fastest times in the event’s history. Many top finishers from the previous year, including Evans Chebet, a two-time Boston Marathon champion from Kenya, are back in the competition.
Hellen Obiri aims to become the first woman to win three consecutive titles since 1999, having already achieved back-to-back victories. Among the American contenders, Emma Bates stands out. As a former Boston resident, Bates finished as the highest-placed American in the women’s race in both 2023 and 2024, coming in fifth and twelfth, respectively. This year’s women’s field promises to be the fastest ever, featuring 14 athletes with personal-best marathon times under two hours, 26 minutes, as noted by the Boston Athletic Association.
