The Boston Marathon will be run on Monday, April 20, 2026, in the United States, with an outstanding men’s field featuring several world-class champions.
The 130th edition of the Boston Marathon is scheduled for Monday, April 20, 2026, in Boston, Massachusetts, on a course certified “Platinum” by World Athletics. Eight of the top 10 finishers from the previous edition are expected to line up.
Defending champion John Korir of Kenya, who clocked 2:04:45 in 2025, will be bidding to retain his title after a season highlighted by a personal best of 2:02:24 in Valencia.
His main challenger is set to be Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu, runner-up last year in 2:05:04, with Kenya’s Cybrian Kotut also among the contenders.
Another major favorite is Kenya’s Benson Kipruto, winner in Boston in 2021 and champion in Chicago in 2022, Tokyo in 2024 and New York in 2025.
The international lineup also includes Olympic medalist Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands, Sydney Marathon champion Hailemaryam Kiros of Ethiopia, and Ethiopia’s Lemi Berhanu, the Boston winner in 2016.
On the American side, Conner Mantz, Galen Rupp, Clayton Young and CJ Albertson will carry local hopes along the iconic roads of Massachusetts.
In the women’s race, the previous edition was marked by a standout performance from Kenya’s Sharon Lokedi, who claimed victory in 2:17:22, setting a new course record.
She finished ahead of compatriot Hellen Obiri, second in 2:17:41, while Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw completed the podium in 2:18:06.
SS/ac/lb/gik/APA