I ran for the first time 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 in Boston in Runner’s World magazine. I ran in Boston in 1986, the only time I ran there, in sub 3:23. I got hooked on the marathon.
As a journalist, I covered Boston from 1986 to 2018, only missing 1988. I missed the 1988 race from 1986 to 2018. I watched Des Lindens’ win in 2018 on Portuguese TV. online, since I had heart surgery six days before.
I have been returning to Boston for two years, 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 turned professional in 1985-1986, with Guy Morse as executive director.
Jack Fleming and his team continue to protect this important event and build the legacy of this important event.
Boston number 130 was a nearly perfect year. Here are my five deep thoughts:
- The conditions were almost perfect: 30 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit at the start, a strong tailwind, cooling marathoners (29,600 started, 29,106 finished at 5:36 p.m. ET, Boston’s official finish line limit). Most of the marathoners, fast and not so fast, had fantastic days. More than 15,800 qualified for the 2027 race from the 2026 race.
- John Korir, winning in 2:01:52, wins his second Boston Marathonleading three under Geoffrey Mutai’s 2011 course record (2:03:02). Zouhair Talbi and Charles Hicks both were under Ryan Hall’s best American mark in Boston (2011-2:04.58)with 2:03.45 from Talbi and 2:04:35 from Hick. Sixteen men under 2:06.06!
- Sharon Lokedi wins two consecutive Bostons at 2:18.51, Giving Kenya wins in men’s and women’s once again! Sharon was patient and ran the second half four minutes faster than the first. Kenya finished 1-4. Jess McClainfirst American in 2025, was also first in 2026, running 2:20:49, the fastest American woman in Boston, faster than Shalane Flanagan, Des Linden, and Joan Benoit Samuelson!
- marcel hugo won the Boston 2026 push rim wheelchair division by 2 minutes, in 1:15.33, setting a world best time and his ninth victory in Boston. Eden Rainbow Cooper won her second women’s division in the wheelchair push ring in 1:30.51. The week before Boston 2026, Bob Hall, the man who won the first wheelchair division in 1975, in 2:58:00, in a normal wheelchair. Bob made a career of building racing wheelchairs. Bob passed away on April 12, 2026, at the age of 74. Jack Fleming, CEO and Chairman of BAA, paid Bob a moving tribute at the April 17, 2026 press briefing.
- Big winners in Boston they were sponsors bank of america and adidas, and the protector of the marathonthe Boston Athletic Association. bank of americaHis respect for Boston Marathon culture kept the sponsor in a positive light on social media. adidas It remains, in my opinion, the largest footwear and apparel sponsorship of a major marathon in the global marathon world. Those almost 30,000 marathon runners and fans who lined the course had safe experiences that should not be underestimated either. A special thank you to all the volunteers, BAA, medical staff and security teams, from the local police and fire departments.
