Boston Marathon

Last Updated: 4 may 2026

The Boston Marathon is one of the oldest running marathons in the world, held annually by several Boston cities in eastern Massachusetts, USA. The marathon takes place every third Monday in April, on Patriots’ Day. Since 1897, the Boston Athletic Association has been organizing this sporting event. The annual average number of participants in the Boston Marathon is 20,000 to 30,000 athletes.

2027 Boston Marathon: When and Where the Start Will Be

The 2027 Boston Marathon will be held in mid-April. The exact date typically coincides with Patriots’ Day in the United States.
Start is traditionally in Hopkinton, with the finish in downtown Boston. The race distance is 42.2 km.

This is one of the most famous marathons in the world. Both professional and amateur athletes participate. Qualifying or charity spots are available for entry.

History of the marathon

The first Boston Marathon race was held in 1897. The idea for the event came from the Summer Olympics held the year before in Athens. Initially, the Bоston Marathon was considered a national event, but over time the popularity of this event began to attract athletes from all over the world.

In 1967, Kathrine Switzer registered for the marathon. As a result, she became the first woman to run and finish with a valid official registration. Despite the fact that marathon official Jock Semple repeatedly attacked the athlete, wanting to disqualify her. The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) banned women from competing alongside men and it was not until 1972 that a similar event was organized for women.

In the history of the marathon, the first money prize was awarded in 1986.

Previous marathon race results

2028 Boston Marathon

There is currently no information about the dates of the next marathon.

Official website of the Boston Marathon 

Keep an eye on the dates of marathons and other events in our Sports Events Calendar.