Boston Marathon 2026: A Star-Studded Lineup for the Iconic Race
The Boston Marathon returns on Monday for its 130th edition, welcoming over 30,000 participants, including a diverse array of celebrities and notable figures. This annual 26.2-mile race, which winds through eight Massachusetts cities and towns, will see both returning high-profile runners and exciting debuts, from reality stars to a former First Daughter.
Elite Athletes and Reality Stars Take the Stage
Among the participants, Matt James, the first Black male lead on The Bachelor, is set to run his third Boston Marathon. The 34-year-old, who began his marathon journey with the New York City race in 2021, has since tackled the Boston course in 2022 and 2025, showcasing his dedication to the sport.
Fellow reality star Bryan Arenales, winner of season seven of Love Island USA, will make his Boston Marathon debut. After running his first marathon in Miami in February 2025, followed by races in Jersey City and New York City, he is now prepared to take on this challenging event.
Notable Absences and Historic Context
One major star missing from the lineup is British pop superstar Harry Styles, who famously ran two marathons in 2025 under the alias Sted Sarandos. Despite achieving an impressive qualifying time of 2:59:13 at the Berlin Marathon, the 32-year-old former One Direction singer is taking a break this year.
First held in 1897, the Boston Marathon is the oldest of the six World Marathon Majors, which include New York City, London, Tokyo, Berlin, and Chicago. Unlike other majors, it does not offer a general lottery; instead, participants must qualify through strict time standards based on age group, though a limited number of invitational and charity entries are available.
High-Profile Debuts and Returning Champions
Chelsea Clinton, the 46-year-old daughter of former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, will make her Boston Marathon debut. A seasoned marathoner with multiple New York City races under her belt, she qualified with a time of 3:44:22 at the 2025 NYC Marathon, beating her age group standard by 38 seconds.
Retired NASA astronaut Suni Williams, 60, will run her first Boston Marathon on Earth, having previously participated in 2007 on a treadmill in space. The former Navy captain also ran part of the course unofficially in the 1980s as a teenager.
Sports Legends and Charity Runners
Former NHL defenceman and Boston Bruins legend Zdeno Chára, 49, returns for his third Boston Marathon in four years, after debuting in 2023 and 2024. He missed the 2025 race due to an injury.
Multi-instrumentalist Jeff DaRosa of the Boston-founded Celtic punk band Dropkick Murphys will run his first Boston Marathon. The 43-year-old, who took up running after getting sober, will support the Claddagh Fund, a charity founded by his bandmate.
Former NBA player Chris Herren, 50, makes his second Boston Marathon appearance, running with his wife to support his non-profit, the Herren Project, which provides addiction recovery resources.
Charity and Community Involvement
Retired soccer star Kristine Lilly, 54, will run the marathon for the Mia Hamm Foundation, raising funds for families in need of marrow or cord blood transplants. She first ran the event in 2012 for Children's Hospital Boston.
This year's race highlights not only athletic prowess but also a strong commitment to charitable causes, with many participants using their platforms to support meaningful initiatives.
