The Boston Marathon returns today for its 130th running, bringing thousands of runners and spectators to eastern Massachusetts for one of the world’s most historic road races.
The annual event begins in Hopkinton and winds 26.2 miles through several communities before finishing on Boylston Street in Boston near the Boston Public Library.
Weather conditions are expected to be favorable for runners, with cool morning temperatures likely in the 40s and low 50s, along with dry skies and light winds. Those conditions are often considered ideal for marathon racing, especially compared with hotter or humid years that can sap energy late in the race.
Defending champions Sharon Lokedi and John Korir headline the elite fields. Lokedi returns after setting a course record in 2025 with a time of 2:17:22, while Korir captured last year’s men’s title in 2:04:45.
Other top contenders in the men’s race include Benson Kipruto, the 2021 Boston winner, and Alphonce Felix Simbu. In the women’s field, Lokedi faces challenges from Irine Cheptai, Emily Sisson and several other international contenders.
The wheelchair divisions again feature star power, led by Marcel Hug, who is seeking another Boston title, and Manuela Schär in the women’s race.
Race day begins with the men’s wheelchair start at 9:06 a.m., followed by the women’s wheelchair division at 9:09 a.m. The elite men start at 9:37 a.m., the elite women at 9:47 a.m., and the general field waves begin at 10 a.m.
Prize money remains significant, with $150,000 awarded to the men’s and women’s winners, plus a $50,000 bonus for a course record.
For fans, the Boston Marathon remains both a sporting event and civic tradition, celebrated each year on Patriots’ Day.