2026 BAA Boston Marathon: Five Deep Thoughts on a Perfect Day in Boston!

I first ran in September 1972. I ran cross country at DeSmet Jesuit Prep in Creve Coeur, Missouri (1972-1974), and then, when my Dad was transferred to the Ford Motor Company plant in Milpitas, CA. I went to Bellarmine (1974-1976). 

I first learned about the Boston Marathon in 1974, reading about a perfect year at Boston in Runner’s World magazine. I ran Boston in 1986, my only time racing there, in a sub-3:23. I was hooked on the marathon. 

As a journalist, I covered Boston from 1986 to 2018, missing only 1988. I missed the 1988 race from 1986 to 2018. I watched Des Lindens’ win in 2018 on Portuguese TV. online, as I had heart surgery six days earlier. 

I have been coming back to Boston for two years now, 2025 and 2026. 

The Boston Marathon was first held in 1896, in recognition of the Athens Olympic marathon. The history of the marathon is epic, and the race went professional in 1985-1986, with Guy Morse serving as executive director. 

Jack Fleming and his team continue to protect this important event and build the legacy of this important event. 

The 130th Boston was a near-perfect year. Here are my five deep thoughts:

1. The conditions were near-perfect: 30 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit at the start, a strong tailwind, which gave marathoners (29,600 started, 29,106 finished by 5:36 PM Eastern time, official Boston finish line cut-off). Most of the marathoners, fast and not-so-fast, had great days. Over 15,800 qualified for the 2027 race from the 2026 race.
2. John Korir, winning in 2:01:52, wins his second Boston marathon, leading three under the Course record of Geoffrey Mutai from 2011 (2:03:02). Zouhair Talbi and Charles Hicks were both under Ryan Hall’s American best on Boston (2011-2:04.58), with Talbi’s 2:03.45 and Hick’s 2:04:35. Sixteen men under 2:06.06!
3. Sharon Lokedi wins back-to-back Bostons in 2:18.51, giving Kenya wins in Men’s and Women’s once again! Sharon stayed patient and ran her second half four minutes faster than her first. Kenya went 1-4. Jess McClain, first American in 2025, was also first in 2026, running 2:20:49, the fastest American woman EVER on Boston, faster than Shalane Flanagan, Des Linden, and Joan Benoit Samuelson!
4. Marcel Hug won the 2026 Boston push rim wheelchair division by 2 minutes, in 1:15.33, setting a world best time and his ninth win in Boston! Eden Rainbow-Cooper won her second women’s push rim wheelchair division in 1:30.51. The week prior to Boston 2026, Bob Hall, the man who won the first wheelchair division in 1975, in 2:58:00, in a regular wheelchair. Bob made a career out of building racing wheelchairs. Bob passed away on April 12, 2026, at the age of 74. Jack Fleming, CEO and President of the BAA, gave Bob a moving tribute at the media session on April 17, 2026.
5. Big winners at Boston were sponsors Bank of America and adidas, and the marathon’s protector, the Boston Athletic Association. Bank of America‘s respect for the Boston marathon culture kept the sponsor in a positive light on social media. adidas continues, in my estimation, as the most important footwear and apparel sponsorship of a major marathon in the global world of marathons. That nearly 30,000 marathoners, and the fans who lined the course, had safe experiences should also not be underestimated. Special thanks to all volunteers, BAA, Medical staff, and Security teams, from local Police Departments and Fire Departments.