Cool weather and an expected tailwind greeted runners at the Boston Marathon start in Hopkinton on Monday, according to multiple reports. The field on Monday was the fastest in race history, major media sources indicate, with more than 30,000 runners participating.
In the men's elite race, John Korir surged into the lead around the 20-mile point and opened up a huge lead on his closest competitors, research shows. He followed up his 2025 title with another dominating performance, making his move in Newton and leaving the rest of the pack behind, according to research. Korir put some serious pressure on the rest of the field as he hit Heartbreak Hill, research indicates. He defended his men's title, setting a new course record of 2:01:52.
Alphonce Felix Simbu of Tanzania finished second in 2:02:47, research shows. Benson Kipruto of Kenya came in third in 2:02:50, according to research. Simbu, Kipruto, and Korir were all faster than the previous course record, research indicates.
In the women's elite race, there was a group of nearly a dozen women, including defending champion Sharon Lokedi, still in the lead pack as they hit Mile 17, research shows. Lokedi broke away from a cluttered women's pack late in the race to outdistance the field in 2:18:51, according to research. She defended her women's title, winning in 2:18:51. Her time was slightly behind her record-setting time from last year, research indicates. Lokedi led a Kenyan sweep of the top four spots, breaking the tape in 2:18:51, research shows.
Loice Chemnung, Mary Ngugi-Cooper and Mercy Chelangat followed Sharon Lokedi across the finish line, according to research.
This is our (expletive) city.
American runners achieved historic breakthroughs. Zouhair Talbi and Jess McClain ran the fastest times ever for Americans at the Boston Marathon, both finishing fifth in their respective divisions. Talbi was the top American runner, finishing fifth in 2:03:45, research shows.
There were seven American men and 12 American women in the top 20 of the Boston Marathon, including five women in the top 10, according to major media reports. The USA's Annie Frisbie, Emily Sisson and Carrie Elwood also finished in the top 10, research indicates.
In the wheelchair divisions, Eden Rainbow-Cooper won the women's wheelchair race in 1:30:51, major media sources report. Marcel Hug won the men's wheelchair race in 1:16:06, his ninth triumph in the city, according to major media reports.
Human interest stories emerged from the massive field. Calli Hauger-Thackery ran the Boston Marathon while 22 weeks pregnant, finishing in 2 hours and 43 minutes, major media sources report. She had to be treated for a trapped nerve in her glute at mile five and again at mile 11 during the race, according to major media reports. Hauger-Thackery discovered she was pregnant after winning the Honolulu Marathon in December, where she was vomiting on the course, major media sources indicate.
In an act of sportsmanship, runners Aaron Beggs and Robson De Oliveira helped an exhausted competitor, Ajay Haridasse, over the finish line, according to major media reports. Haridasse collapsed on the course near the finish line and tried to get back up four times before being helped, major media sources report. De Oliveira was on track for a personal record when he stopped to help Haridasse, according to major media reports. The exact medical condition or cause that led to Haridasse's collapse near the finish line has not been disclosed.
It's insensitive to disabled runners.
The course itself presented a significant challenge. The most famous part of the course comes between the 20th and 21st mile — Heartbreak Hill, research shows. It is an uphill portion of less than a half mile as the runners pass near the campus of Boston College, according to research. Heartbreak Hill is considered a crucial part of the race because it's where participants' energy often is depleted as they 'hit the wall', research indicates.
Security was a backdrop for the event. FBI Special Agent in Charge in Boston Ted Docks said authorities are operating at a 'heightened threat environment' due to the war in Iran, but there are no specific or credible threats against the Boston Marathon. The specific security measures implemented due to this heightened threat environment were not detailed.
A controversy arose away from the course. Nike put up a sign in its Newbury Street store that read 'Runners welcome. Walkers tolerated,' which caused controversy and backlash, according to major media reports. According to Daily Mail - Sport, Robyn Michaud, a competitor in the adaptive division, described the sign as insensitive to disabled runners. Nike took down the sign after backlash and issued a statement apologizing and committing to do better. The full content and context of Nike's apology statement was not released.
Notable participants included Chelsea Clinton, who finished the Boston Marathon in 3 hours and 40 minutes, using the pseudonym 'Margaret Chase Smith', major media sources report. She was greeted by her parents, Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, at the finish line, according to major media reports.
Historical and commemorative elements were present. A new statue of marathon pioneer Bobbi Gibb was unveiled at the start of the Boston Marathon course, major media sources report. The Boston Red Sox wear a jersey with 'Boston' instead of 'Red Sox' on Patriots' Day in honor of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing victims, according to major media reports. Former Red Sox star David Ortiz famously declared 'This is our (expletive) city' in the wake of that attack.
Broadcast coverage was extensive. The 2026 Boston Marathon is being broadcast on WCVB Channel 5 in Boston (and its regional sister stations) until 8 p.m. ET, research shows. For those outside the Northeast, the race is airing live on ESPN2 until 12:30 p.m. ET, according to research. Specific broadcast ratings or viewership numbers for the 2026 Boston Marathon are not yet available.
Looking ahead, Ajay Haridasse and Robson De Oliveira plan to return to race in the Boston Marathon in 2027, according to major media reports. The exact number of participants in the Boston Marathon remains unclear, as estimates vary between 'more than 30,000' and 'more than 32,000'.