The Boston Marathon continues to uphold its legacy as the world’s oldest annual marathon, with its 129th edition scheduled for Monday.
First held in 1897, the marathon was inspired by the success of the first modern Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, in 1896.
However, it wasn’t until 1972 that the event officially allowed women to compete, despite female runners having participated unofficially since 1966, which was against the rules of the Amateur Athletic Union.
This prestigious race has been conducted annually, with the exception of 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic caused the organizers to cancel the event and host a virtual marathon instead.
Aligning with the spirit of Patriot’s Day, the Boston Marathon takes place each year on the third Monday of April, a public holiday observed in Massachusetts and Maine.
Initially celebrated on April 19, Patriot’s Day commemorates the first major military campaign by Americans against the British during the American Revolutionary War, which began in 1775.
The war continued until September 3, 1783, when Great Britain acknowledged the independence of the United States.
Patriot’s Day only became an official holiday in 1894, instituted by a proclamation from Massachusetts Governor Frederic Greenhalge to replace Fast Day.
In 1897, the Boston Athletics Association (BAA), ten years after its formation, hosted the first Boston Marathon to close that year’s BAA Games, choosing April 19 to connect the event to the American quest for independence and to honor its presence at the 1896 Olympics.
The BAA maintained this date, only shifting it to April 20 when April 19 fell on a Sunday.
The Uniform Monday Holiday Act implemented in 1971 led to the current tradition of holding the marathon on the third Monday of April, coinciding with the celebration of Patriot’s Day.
This year, Kenyan runner Hellen Obiri will be striving for a remarkable achievement; a victory would make her the fifth woman to win the Boston Marathon three consecutive years.
Should Obiri succeed, she would join the ranks of American Bobbi Gibb (1966-1968), Sara Mae Berman (1969-1971), German Uta Pippig (1994-1996), and Ethiopian Fatuma Roba (1997-1999).
Obiri, however, will face significant competition, including compatriots Sharon Lokedi, Edna Kiplagat, and Mary Ngugi, who secured 2nd, 3rd, and 6th place, respectively, in last year’s race.
Additionally, the Ethiopian trio of world champion Amane Beriso, 2022 London Marathon victor Yalemzerf Yehualaw, and Buze Diriba will also challenge Obiri for victory.
In the men’s competition, two-time winner Evans Chebet will look to reclaim his title after finishing third in last year’s race, which was won by Ethiopian runner Sisay Lemma.
Chebet had previously won the event in both 2022 and 2023, while Lemma aims to make history as the first Ethiopian athlete to win the Boston Marathon two consecutive years.
Kenya stands as the second most successful country in the Boston Marathon history, claiming 39 wins (25 men and 14 women), while the United States leads with 59 victories (43 men and 16 women).
As the Boston Marathon approaches, the excitement builds for both participants and spectators, marking yet another chapter in the rich history of this iconic race.
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