By Amelia Jewett ‘27
On Monday, April 15, over 500,000 people gathered to watch the 128th Boston Marathon. The Marathon, which consists of around 38,000 runners, is a famous annual marathon that occurs on Patriots Day every year. The marathon’s course begins in Hopkinton, Massachusetts and finishes on Boylston Street in Boston. It is one of the six major marathons in the world, making it a popular and epic event with many of the top runners of the planet attending. From wheelchair racers, to the elite, to your everyday runners, the marathon proves significant for all.
The Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest marathon and has therefore witnessed many inspiring and notable moments throughout history. From runners facing the infamous Heartbreak Hill, to having the first woman ever to finish a marathon, and even the tragic events of the Marathon Bombing, the event holds a special place in the hearts of many for various reasons.
In 2024, Sisay Lemma and Hellen Obiri won the marathon in their respective races. Lemma, from Ethiopia, is the fourth fastest marathoner in history and finished the race in 2 hours, 6 minutes, and 17 seconds. Obiri, who is from Kenya, won the women’s race in 2 hours, 22 minutes, and 37 seconds. She is the first woman to win back-to-back years in Boston since 2005. Both Lemma and Obiri will be seen again soon as they are competing in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.
In the men’s wheelchair division, Marcel Hug set a new Boston course record, finishing in 1 hour, 15 minutes, and 33 seconds. CJ Alberston and Emma Bates were the top American finishers, with Alberston finishing in 7th and Bates completing the 26.2 miles in 12th.
Image credit: wboy.com
