Boston Marathon 2026: Everything You Need to Know
The Boston Marathon, the world's oldest continuously run marathon, is set for its 130th edition on Monday, April 20, 2026. This iconic event kicks off a bustling spring season for world marathon majors, with the London Marathon following closely the next week. The race begins in the rural town of Hopkinton, Massachusetts, and winds through to Boston, finishing on Boylston Street near the Boston Public Library.
Elite Fields and Defending Champions
Defending champions Sharon Lokedi and John Korir of Kenya are back to protect their titles. Lokedi shattered the course record in 2025 with a time of 2:17:22, winning by over two minutes. Korir, following his older brother Wesley's legacy, secured victory in 2:04:45, making them the only siblings to ever win the event. Key contenders include Benson Kipruto, the 2021 champion and recent New York winner, and Alphonce Felix Simbu of Tanzania, the 2025 world championships gold medallist aiming to improve on last year's runner-up finish.
In the women's field, Lokedi is joined by fellow Kenyans Irine Cheptai, who placed fourth last year, and Vivian Cheruiyot, a four-time Olympic medallist transitioning to marathons. British hope Calli Hauger-Thackery, sixth in Boston last year and winner of the Honolulu and Houston Marathons, adds international flair. The wheelchair divisions feature seven-time Paralympic champion Marcel Hug, targeting a fourth consecutive Boston title and ninth overall, while Manuela Schar is favoured for a fifth win with defending champion Susannah Scaroni absent.
Start Times and Schedule
All times are in EDT (BST-5):
- Men’s Wheelchair – 9:06 a.m.
- Women’s Wheelchair – 9:09 a.m.
- Handcycles & Duos – 9:30 a.m.
- Elite Men – 9:37 a.m.
- Elite Women – 9:47 a.m.
- Para Athletics Division – 9:50 a.m.
- Wave 1 – 10:00 a.m.
- Wave 2 – 10:25 a.m.
- Wave 3 – 10:50 a.m.
- Wave 4 – 11:15 a.m.
How to Watch on TV
In the United States, local viewers can tune into WCVB ABC, while national coverage is available on ESPN2 starting at 9 a.m. EDT. For audiences in the United Kingdom, the marathon will be broadcast on TNT Sports and HBO Max, with live coverage commencing at 2 p.m. BST.
Prize Money Breakdown
The elite races offer substantial rewards, with a total prize pool incentivising top performances. The breakdown for both men's and women's categories is as follows:
- 1st place - $150,000
- 2nd place - $75,000
- 3rd place - $40,000
- 4th place - $25,000
- 5th place - $18,000
- 6th place - $13,500
- 7th place - $10,500
- 8th place - $8,500
- 9th place - $7,000
- 10th place - $5,500
Additionally, a course record bonus of $50,000 is available, encouraging athletes to push for new benchmarks in this historic event.
Elite Runners List
The women's field includes top athletes like Sharon Lokedi (KEN, 2:17:22), Irine Cheptai (KEN, 2:17:51), and Emily Sisson (USA, 2:18:29). The men's field features Benson Kipruto (KEN, 2:02:16), John Korir (KEN, 2:02:24), and Milkesa Mengesha (ETH, 2:03:17), among others. These elite runners bring a mix of experience and fresh talent, promising an exciting and competitive race.
As the Boston Marathon 2026 approaches, fans and participants alike can look forward to a day of athletic excellence, historic moments, and global broadcasting that brings the action to screens worldwide.
