The 130th Boston Marathon takes place on Monday 20 April 2026, with approximately 30,000 runners set to tackle the iconic 26.2-mile course from Hopkinton to Boylston Street in downtown Boston. As the world’s oldest annual marathon and a World Marathon Majors event, the 2026 edition features one of the deepest elite fields in the race’s history, headlined by defending champions John Korir and Sharon Lokedi.
What is the Boston Marathon?
The Boston Marathon is the oldest continuously run annual marathon in the world, first held on 19 April 1897. Organised by the Boston Athletic Association (BAA), it is one of six World Marathon Majors alongside London, Berlin, Chicago, New York and Tokyo. The race carries World Athletics Platinum Label status.
Unlike most major marathons, Boston requires runners to meet strict qualifying times based on age and gender. For 2026, qualifying standards were tightened by five minutes for athletes under 60, and accepted runners needed to be at least four minutes and 34 seconds faster than their age group standard. This makes Boston the most exclusive mass-participation marathon in the world.
When is the Boston Marathon?
The 2026 Boston Marathon takes place on Monday 20 April, Patriots’ Day in Massachusetts. The wheelchair divisions start at 9:02 a.m. ET, with the elite women’s race following at 9:30 a.m. ET and the elite men’s and mass start at 10:00 a.m. ET. ESPN2 coverage runs from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET.
The Boston Marathon Expo, where runners collect their bibs and browse exhibitors, runs from Friday 17 April to Sunday 19 April at the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center on Boylston Street.
Where is the Boston Marathon?
The course runs point-to-point from Main Street in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, to Boylston Street near Copley Square in central Boston, passing through eight cities and towns: Hopkinton, Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Brookline and Boston.
The route is renowned for its challenging terrain, particularly the four Newton Hills between miles 16 and 21. The last and most famous of these, Heartbreak Hill near Boston College at mile 20.5, has become one of the most iconic landmarks in distance running. The course also features the Wellesley “Scream Tunnel” at the halfway mark, where students from Wellesley College create a wall of noise for passing runners.
Key Contenders
The men’s elite field includes 10 athletes with personal bests under 2:05, making it one of the deepest fields in Boston history. Defending champion John Korir of Kenya returns after winning the 2025 race in 2:04:45 and subsequently lowering his personal best to 2:02:24 at the Valencia Marathon. His chief rival is compatriot Benson Kipruto (PB 2:02:16), who became the first man to win the Chicago, Boston and New York marathons. Cyprian Kotut of Kenya (2:03:22), Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands (2:04:20) and American record holder Conner Mantz (2:04:43) round out a formidable leading group.
In the women’s race, defending champion Sharon Lokedi of Kenya is the clear favourite after setting the course record of 2:17:22 in 2025, smashing the previous mark by more than two minutes. She faces competition from American record holder Emily Sisson (PB 2:18:29), making her Boston debut, as well as Ethiopian pair Workenesh Edesa (2:17:55) and Bedatu Hirpa (2:18:27). American Fiona O’Keeffe, who ran 2:22:49 in New York, adds further depth to the women’s field.
In the wheelchair divisions, eight-time Boston champion Marcel Hug of Switzerland and two-time winner Susannah Scaroni of the United States headline their respective fields.
How to Watch the Boston Marathon
In the United States, ESPN2 broadcasts the race live from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET, with streaming available via the ESPN App. Local coverage on WCVB Channel 5 runs from 4:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET and simulcasts across Hearst Television sister stations in New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont.
International viewers can follow race coverage through the World Marathon Majors platforms. The BAA Racing App provides live tracking of up to 20 runners in real time with chip-timing updates at every 5km mark, available worldwide.
History and Records
Founded in 1897, inspired by the marathon at the inaugural modern Olympic Games in Athens the previous year, the Boston Marathon has been held every year since, including during both World Wars and the Great Depression. The starting line moved to Hopkinton in 1924 when the course was adjusted to meet the standard marathon distance of 26 miles and 385 yards.
The men’s course record stands at 2:03:02, set by Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya in 2011. Because the Boston course has a net elevation drop and the start and finish are separated by more than 50% of the total distance, times recorded here are not eligible for world record ratification. Sharon Lokedi holds the women’s course record of 2:17:22, set in her dominant 2025 victory.
Tickets and Attendance
The Boston Marathon is a free public spectator event, with nearly half a million people lining the route each year. No tickets are required to watch from the course, though certain grandstand areas near the finish on Boylston Street may have restricted access. The BAA enforces a strict no-backpack policy in secure zones around the finish area.
For those wishing to run, qualifier registration for 2026 closed in September 2025, with 24,362 qualified applicants accepted. Charity entries are available through official BAA charity partners. Travel packages, including race entry via charity bibs, are offered by authorised tour operators such as Sports Tours International.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Boston Marathon start?
The 2026 Boston Marathon takes place on Monday 20 April. The wheelchair race begins at 9:02 a.m. ET, the elite women’s start is at 9:30 a.m. ET, and the elite men’s and mass start is at 10:00 a.m. ET.
Where is the Boston Marathon held?
The course runs 26.2 miles from Hopkinton, Massachusetts, to Boylston Street in central Boston, passing through eight towns and cities.
How can I watch the Boston Marathon?
ESPN2 broadcasts the race live in the United States from 9:00 a.m. ET. Streaming is available via the ESPN App. The BAA Racing App offers live runner tracking worldwide.
Who won the Boston Marathon last year?
John Korir of Kenya won the men’s race in 2:04:45, while Sharon Lokedi of Kenya won the women’s race in a course record time of 2:17:22 at the 2025 edition.
Do I need a ticket to watch the Boston Marathon?
No. The Boston Marathon is a free public event and spectators can watch from anywhere along the 26.2-mile route.