Boston Marathon Live The 126th Boston Marathon will take place on April 18. Last year’s event was pushed from April to October due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while the 2020 iteration of the competition was held virtually.
Boston Marathon Live Last year’s champions were Benson Kipruto (men’s open), Diana Kipyokei (women’s open), Marcel Hug (men’s wheelchair) and Manuela Schar (women’s wheelchair), Zachary Stinson (men’s handcycles), Wendy Larsen (women’s handcycles), Chaz Davis (men’s para-athletics) and Misato Michishita (women’s para-athletics).
Earlier Monday, the Boston Athletic Association announced that Marcel Hug, of Switzerland, and Sho Watanabe, of Japan, withdrew from the race. No reason was given for their decisions.
Boston Marathon Live The hug was 2021 men’s wheelchair division champion, five-time Boston winner, and course record holder, while Watanabe finished ninth at last year’s Boston Marathon.
Boston Marathon Live Last year, Hug cost himself a $ 50,000-course record bonus when he missed the second-to-last turn, following the lead vehicle instead of turning from Commonwealth Avenue onto Hereford Street.
More than 28,000 people are registered for the 26.2-mile race that starts on Main Street in Hopkinton as it has since 1924 and winds through several towns before ending on Boylston Street in Boston.
Boston Marathon Live Race Director Dave McGillivray sent a group of about 20 from the Massachusetts National Guard that walks the course annually out at 6 a.m., announcing the start in Hopkinton of the 126th Boston Marathon. He told them that the “comeback is greater than the setback.”
It’s so hard to describe, you know. I mean, this city just comes alive and everything is running this weekend,” said Eric Blackwell, of Michigan. “It’s very emotional. We were just at the Red Sox game and it hits you, too, the National Anthem and what sports mean to this town.”
Boston Marathon Live Tourism experts estimate this year’s marathon is expected to bring in a $200 million boost to businesses.
Boston Marathon Live The 2020 race was called off because of the pandemic, the first cancellation since the event began in 1897, and the 2021 version was postponed, then held in October. That was the first fall edition of the marathon. The field was smaller for social distancing and the crowds were smaller too, though no less enthusiastic.
The Boston Athletic Association is marking the 50th anniversary of the first official women’s division, though the eight women who lined up alongside the men that year were not the first ones to run the race.
Boston Marathon Live This year the women’s field is one of the strongest ever.
Boston Marathon Live Bobbi Gibb is acknowledged as the first woman to run Boston. She finished in 1966 among the unofficial runners known as bandits. A year later, Kathrine Switzer signed up as “K.V. Switzer” and got an official bib. Race director Jock Semple tried to shove her off the course.
Nina Kuscsik’s 1972 victory is celebrated this year. Five of the original eight women are taking part in the celebrations. Valerie Rogosheske, who finished sixth in the 1972 race, will run again this year, along with her daughters, and serve as the honorary starter for the women’s elite field.
Reigning Olympic gold medalist Peres Jepchirchir, London and New York marathon winner Joyciline Jepkosgei, and Ethiopia’s Degitu Azimeraw all have personal bests that are faster than the Boston course record.
Read More: PSG vs Marseille live : How To Watch Free 2022 French Ligue 1 live stream
