Many runners crossed the finish line Monday evening, hours after starting the Boston Marathon, marking the end of an epic journey.
The 128th Boston Marathon was run Monday, with over 30,000 runners participating and even more spectators expected along the 26.2-mile route from Hopkinton to Boylston Street in Boston.
The race marks the 100th anniversary of the start moving from Ashland to Hopkinton in 1924 to conform to the new international distance standard of 26.2 miles. It's also the 10th anniversary of Meb Keflezighi's win in 2014, when he snapped a three-decade American drought the year after the finish line bombing.
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The Boston Athletic Association announced earlier this month that famed former Patriots player Rob Gronkowski has been named the grand marshal for the 2024 marathon.
This year's race falls on the same day as One Boston Day, which honors the victims, survivors and first responders of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings. A wreath laying was held at 8 a.m. and bells tolled at 2:49 p.m.
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How our own Tevin Wooten did
By Asher Klein | NBC10 Boston
NBC10 Boston meteorologist Tevin Wooten spends all his working days tracking the skies for us, so we spent all of Marathon Monday tracking how he was doing on his very first marathon.
Turns out we didn't need to do too much — he called in to the newsroom in the middle of the race! And after it was all over, Tevin posted a triumphant, smiling selfie.
Here's a look at how he did — including how fast he managed the 26.2 miles — and what motivated him to take on the Boston Marathon.
'I can't believe I made it here': Locals finish Boston Marathon
By Michael Rosenfield | NBC10 Boston
As the sun set on another Boston Marathon, runners were still crossing the finish line Monday evening.
"It's a childhood dream for a kid from Boston," said Kenny Pina. "Jamaica Plain. To run the Boston Marathon."
"It was ugly, but I finished," said Tim Hagan of Reading, Massachusetts. "That's the important thing."
"Emotionally overwhelmed," said Kristen Manning of Canton. "Most amazing moment of my life."
Manning says the heat was a killer.
"I didn't think I was going to finish," said Manning. "I ended up with a little bit of heatstroke at Mile 18, and I can't believe I made it here."
The spike in temperatures is even more challenging if you're running for two.
"You got to hydrate no matter what," said Sarah Wessmann of Dorchester. "When you've got a baby in you, you have to hydrate more, and you have to pee all the time because you're pregnant. So I think I probably peed 60 times."
Maggie Musoke, like countless runners, was racing for a cause.
"This is my first marathon," said Musoke. "Running for the town of Ashland, and yes, I made it!"
Tom Smith finished his sixth Boston Marathon with his team, which raises money for his foundation.
"We support short- and long-term health care programs for individuals with paralysis," said Smith, who heads up the Thomas E. Smith Foundation.
Who were the fastest Boston residents in the marathon?
By Mike Pescaro | NBC10 Boston
For the second year, Boston is acknowledging the fastest finishers among its residents who ran the Boston Marathon.
Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston Athletic Association announced the winners of the second annual "Fastest Bostonians" category.
Dr. Miles Batty, an orthopedic surgery resident from West Roxbury, completed the marathon in 2 hours and 25 minutes, the best time for a Boston man.
Arianna Maida of Jamaica Plain, a physician assistant with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, had the fastest finish for a Boston woman — 2 hours, 48 minutes and 50 seconds.
Nonie Anderson, a Boston College Law School student from Brighton, was the city's fastest non-binary runner, finishing in 3 hours, 44 minutes and 18 seconds, Wu's office said.
"As Boston welcomes elite runners and visitors from around the globe for the world's greatest race, we are also proud to celebrate our hometown talent," Wu said in a statement. "Congratulations to Miles, Arianna, and Nonie, who exemplify the best of Boston and contribute to our city everyday. Their determination and commitment to excellence is inspiring to all."
Reunited and it feels so good
By Matt Fortin | NBC10 Boston
As the athletes joyously cross the finish line on Boylston Street and reunite with their friends and families, groups are quickly filling Back Bay, the Public Garden and the Boston Common, some sprawling on the ground.
Runners have been pouring out of Copley Square and into neighboring streets as loved ones with phones pressed to their ears search for their road racers. There are plenty of embraces going around once they're tracked down.
The physical toll that running a marathon takes on the body has been on full display, too, with many runners limping along Newbury Street after the race; one runner even threw up on the sidewalk. A marathon worker came right to her aid.
Despite the apparent fatigue, it was mostly a moment of triumph for the thousands of athletes and their friends and family.
"Indescribable," 27-year-old Michael Remich of Jacksonville, Florida, said of the experience. "I'll be back hopefully every year. It was awesome. It was so fun."
Remich said the end of the race was difficult on him, but he was able to push through on the home stretch for his first Boston Marathon.
"By the time I got to [mile] 25, I couldn't stop smiling the whole way in," he said.
Allie Schellhammer, who flew in from Michigan, was sitting in Boston Common after running her second Boston.
"The crowds were amazing," she said. "I think it's because the weather was great for crowd watching, or spectating. But man, it's hot today. I wasn't prepared for that."
Like Remich, the last few miles weren't easy on Schellhammer. But the spectators pushed her to the end.
"The crowd support is unbelievable," she said. "So it's a one-of-a-kind race and it makes it all worth it."
Efren Muñoz came all the way from Bogota, Colombia, to take a shot at the race. He was tired after crossing the finish line, but already wants to do it all over again next year.
"It was hard, but at the same time it was beautiful," he said in Spanish.
Marathon brings a blimp over Boston
By Asher Klein | NBC10 Boston
The Boston Marathon brought out a rare sight in the skies above the city: a blimp!
There are only a few blimps in the world — the famed Goodyear blimps' only upcoming appearance in New England will be in Connecticut in June, for a PGA golf tournament.
This blimp, sponsored by Dick's House of Sport, a new store concept from Dick's Sporting Goods, has been over Boston for several days. The company behind the airship, Skyship Services, says it's one of five blimps currently flying over the U.S.
Remembrance of the 2013 marathon bombing
By Asher Klein | NBC10 Boston
At 2:49 p.m., a bell was rung at the Old South Church in remembrance of the victims of the deadly bombing at the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon.
The terror attack exactly 11 years earlier left three people dead and more than 250 injured.
Chara finishes his second Boston Marathon
By Marc Fortier | NBC10 Boston
Former Boston Bruins great Zdeno Chara finished the marathon in 3:30:52, according to The Boston Globe's Cam Kerry.
He told NBC10 Boston the way the city came together after the 2013 bombing is what inspired him to run the race.
According to the Globe, Chara is now planning to run the London Marathon on Sunday.
Gronk had himself a day
By Marc Fortier | NBC10 Boston
Gronkowski had himself a day on Monday. He not only served as the grand marshal of the Boston Marathon, performing a Gronk spike at the finish line.
He also threw out the first pitch — and did a Gronk spike of the baseball — at the Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park.
Back to back! Obiri wins women's professional division
By Marc Fortier | NBC10 Boston
Hellen Obiri of Kenya won the women’s professional division for the second straight year at the Boston Marathon, narrowly edging out good friend and countrywoman Sharon Lokedi. Two-time Boston winner Edna Kiplagat, also of Kenya, finished in third.
Obiri finished in an unofficial 2:22:37. She is the first woman to win back-to-back since 2005.
"You know, when somebody's behind you, you try to push," she said. "Sharon gave me very tough competition."
"To win here, I'm extremely happy," Obiri added. "Winning two in a row is something precious for me."
Her win came after an unprecedented 15 women were still in the lead pack at the 20-mile mark.
Lemma wins men's professional division
By Marc Fortier | NBC10 Boston
There's a new men's champion at the Boston Marathon.
Sisay Lemma of Ethiopia won the men's professional division. He finished in an unofficial 2:06:18.
Through his interpreter, Lemma said he was happy to have redeemed himself after being unable to finish last year's race.
"I thank God that I was able to redeem myself from the failure of last year and I've won, so I'm happy," he said. "My plan was to break the course record, but it's so hilly... and that made me tired just a little bit."
Two-time defending champion Evans Chebet of Kenya finished third, failing in his attempt to become the first three-time winner since 2008.
Marathon-goers pack Newbury Street
By Matt Fortin | NBC10 Boston
Pedestrianized Newbury Street is packed with marathon-goers, window shoppers and dog walkers, and the energy is palpable throughout the entire neighborhood.
Street musicians are taking the opportunity to play for a larger audience, too, and are taking requests from newfound fans.
The businesses along Newbury are rolling out the welcome wagon, hoping to cash in on the crowds.
The owners of Mure and Grand were at first unsure of what to expect on Marathon Monday, since the store first opened in August. But, so far, so good.
“I thought people were just going to be watching the race, watching the finish line,” said Vernalisa Ramirez, who is a sales associate at the boutique. “But I’ve already had a bunch of sales already, and I just opened at 10.”
“We have a bunch of Boston apparel stuff,” Ramirez continued. “A lot of people who aren’t from Boston just get a bunch of Boston merch from here.”
Crowds seems to only be getting bigger along Newbury as the day wares on.
Best sign of the day?
Rainbow-Cooper wins women's wheelchair division
By Marc Fortier | NBC10 Boston
Eden Rainbow-Cooper has won the women's wheelchair division at Monday's Boston Marathon, with a time of 1:35:11.
"Oh my god," she said over and over after crossing the finish line. "I only started two years ago... I can't believe it."
She now heads home to the London Marathon next week.
Manuela Schär finished second, about a minute and a half behind.
Hug wins seventh Boston Marathon, sets course record
By Marc Fortier | NBC10 Boston
Marcel Hug won the men's wheelchair division at the Boston Marathon on Monday, his seventh win.
He set a course record at 1:15:35 despite crashing into a fence as he made the turn into the Newton Hills near the landmark firehouse.
"As always here in Boston, it's a challenging course," Hug said afterward. "Luckily the conditions were perfect today."
Hug injured his hand in the crash, which he said happened near a fire station.
"I just had way too much pressure on the steering," he said. "It was my fault. I didn't steer properly and went into the barriers. Luckily, the material was OK so I could get up and go forward."
Honoring the Boston Marathon bombing victims with flowers
By Matt Fortin | NBC10 Boston
If you're walking to the marathon, you'll probably notice daffodils with "Boston Strong" printed on them placed throughout communities the race passes through.
The flowers are the work of Marathon Daffodils, a non-profit that set out to honor the lives lost and people hurt in the 2013 marathon bombing, as well as the resilience and strength displayed following the tragedy. Thousands of these daffodils are throughout the marathon route. The work is done by a team of volunteers.
Supporters gather at finish line
By Matt Fortin | NBC10 Boston
As the morning goes on, more supporters are beginning to gather by the finish line, including family of runner Liz Hyslip. They showed up with matching t-shirts, declaring themselves “Liz’s 26.2 Crew.”
“She’s family,” Christine Hyslip said. “We’re cheering her on! We’re gonna be in front of 715 Boylston Street with a lot more blue shirts!
Excitement builds as Marathon Monday gets underway
By Matt Fortin | NBC10 Boston
Excitement is building in Boston’s Back Bay as Marathon Monday gets underway.
Yellow and blue is splattered around the city, with marathon-goers sporting Boston Strong gear and signs supporting their loved ones taking on the 26.2-mile trek.
It’s a beautiful spring day for it, too. A bright blue sky coupled with mild temperatures and flowering trees makes for a picture-perfect backdrop to race day.
Beginning at Kenmore Square, there’s a heavy police presence with barricades blocking traffic and directing pedestrians. Merchandise tables are of course already stationed, with all the gear you could ever want to show your Boston spirit.
The epicenter of the action is of course at the finish line at Copley Square, which is buzzing with activity. Runners were saying final goodbyes to their loved ones before boarding buses to go to the starting line in Hopkinton.
Military marchers set out from Hopkinton to start Boston Marathon
By The Associated Press
A group of Massachusetts National Guard members early Monday crossed the Boston Marathon start line painted in honor of the town that has hosted the race for the past century, launching the 128th edition of the world’s oldest and most prestigious annual marathon.
Race director Dave McGillivray sent the group of about 30 people off shortly after 6 a.m. He thanked them for their service and told them to have a great time. Lt. Col. Paula Reichert Karsten, one of the marchers, said she wanted to be part of a “quintessential Massachusetts event.”
Wreath laying ceremony held on 11th anniversary of Boston Marathon bombing
By Marc Fortier | NBC10 Boston
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu participated in a wreath-laying ceremony shortly after 8 a.m. in honor of the victims of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.
Bagpipes played as wreaths were laid at various locations along Boylston Street. Family members of the victims were also in attendance.
What time does the Boston Marathon start?
By Marc Fortier | NBC10 Boston
Here's a list of start times for the Boston Marathon:
- 9:02 a.m. ET – Wheelchair Division – Men
- 9:05 a.m. ET – Wheelchair Division – Women
- 9:30 a.m. ET – Handcycle & Duo Participants
- 9:37 a.m. ET – Professional Men
- 9:47 a.m. ET – Professional Women
- 9:50 a.m. ET – Para Athletics Divisions
- 10:00 a.m. ET – Wave 1
- 10:25 a.m. ET – Wave 2
- 10:50 a.m. ET – Wave 3
- 11:15 a.m. ET – Wave 4
Who are the top contenders in the 2024 Boston Marathon?
By The Associated Press
Emma Bates should be extra weary of the Boston Marathon course on Monday when she tries to improve upon last year’s fifth-place finish.
Not the hills or the headwinds.
The potholes.
The 31-year-old former Boston resident stepped in one midway through the Chicago Marathon last fall, tearing a tissue in her foot. She finished 13th but left the course in a wheelchair.
A setback during her recovery forced Bates to withdraw from the Olympic marathon trials in February. So, instead of planning for Paris, Bates is running Boston again a year after she led the pack through Brookline, with the crowd chanting her name.
“That was the coolest thing I’ve ever done in my career, that’s for sure,” she said last week. “Being in the lead and setting myself up for the most success that I could have on that day, it was just really special to know that as long as I trust myself, as long as I go after it, that I can do pretty big things.”
The runner-up in Chicago in 2021, Bates stayed with the lead pack in Boston last year until winner Hellen Obiri led a breakaway with about one mile to go. Bates finished fifth in 2 hours, 22 minutes, 10 seconds – the second-fastest American woman ever in Boston, and 68 seconds better than her previous personal best.
“I’ve learned that I can run with the best of them,” Bates said. “I expect myself to be the top American. The fact that everybody else wants me to be is just more encouragement and support, rather than pressure.”
Obiri, a two-time Olympic medalist, is among the favorites in Monday’s race, the 128th edition of the world’s oldest and most prestigious annual marathon. Sara Hall, who has reached the podium in two major marathons, joins Bates in a strong American contingent.
A Minnesota native who was an NCAA champion in the 10,000 meters at Boise State, Bates lived locally for two years as part of the Boston Athletic Association’s High Performance Team.
So she knows the course — including the notoriously pock-marked roads that emerge from the long and fickle Boston winters.
“Yes, I will be looking out for those,” she said. “That’s for sure.”
A third straight men’s victory for Evans Chebet would be the first Boston three-peat since Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot won three in a row from 2006-08.
He’s also running for something more.
Despite winning six of his last seven races — including major victories in Boston and New York — Chebet was left off the provisional roster for the Kenyan Olympic team. He said last week he is hoping a strong finish will rekindle his candidacy.
Kenya swept the marathon gold medals in Tokyo three years ago, with Eliud Kipchoge winning his second straight Olympic title and Peres Jepchirchir taking the women’s race. For the three spots per gender in 2024, the country produced a provisional short list of five men and six women.
Kenyans have won the last four men's races in Boston and three straight in the distaff division.
Who are the famous people running this year's Boston Marathon?
By Marc Fortier | NBC10 Boston
In addition to Keflezighi, several other notable runners are participating this year.
They include former Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara, Michilin Star award-winning chef Daniel Humm and Dave McGillivray, Boston Marathon race course director.
Also running will be Patrick Clancy, the father of the three Duxbury children allegedly killed by their mother last year. He is running in honor of his children and to raise money for Boston Children's Hospital.
NBC10 Boston meteorologist Tevin Wooten will also be running the race, as will NBC10 Boston employees Casey Keen, Bill Travers and Monica Wemyss.
Boston Marathon spectator's guide
By Marc Fortier | NBC10 Boston
There's a lot you need to know if you're planning to watch the marathon, including not only start times, but also road closures, parking restrictions, public safety precautions and more.
Here's a quick recap of everything you need to know.
How to track Boston Marathon runners
By Marc Fortier | NBC10 Boston
Looking to track a runner or runners in Monday's Boston Marathon? There's an app for that!
Just download the B.A.A. racing app, and you can track your athletes. The app also features interactive course maps, athlete leaderboards, fundraising totals and more.
