Boston Marathon Returns to Patriots' Day for First Time in Three Years

Image of Boston Marathon in 2017 by John Schiebel from Flickr

A field of up to 28,604 fully vaccinated athletes will participate in the 126th Boston Marathon, the world's oldest annually run marathon, on Monday, April 18, 2022, when the race returns to a Patriots' Day schedule for the first time since 2019.  With a start in Hopkinton, the race runs locally through Wellesley, Newton, and Brookline, before finishing in Boston.

Runners from all 50 states and 120 countries will participate, some of them luminaries.  Three-time Olympic gold medalist and holder of the second fastest marathon run time in history, Kenesia Bekele of Ethiopia, will make his Boston Marathon debut.

“I recognize the tradition of the Boston Marathon, the world’s most historic marathon, and look forward to racing in April,” said Bekele. “For many years Ethiopia has had a strong tradition in Boston, and I am excited to join that legacy. I have long looked forward to racing the Boston Marathon," said Mr. Bekele.

This year, however, the B.A.A. will not recognize runners' affiliation with Russia or Belarus. “Like so many around the world, we are horrified and outraged by what we have seen and learned from the reporting in Ukraine,” said President & CEO of the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) Tom Grilk. “We believe that running is a global sport, and as such, we must do what we can to show our support to the people of Ukraine.”

For those interested in watching the race in person, the B.A.A.'s Spectator Guide provides information for choosing a viewing spot. To view from home, CBSBoston.com will provide live streaming and WBZ-TV4 will provide live, local coverage. USA TV network will provide live, national coverage.

Schedule of Starts:

6:00 a.m. – Military Marchers

9:02 a.m. – Wheelchair Division – Men 

9:05 a.m. – Wheelchair Division – Women 

9:30 a.m. – Handcycle & Duo Participants

9:37 a.m.  – Professional Men
9:45 a.m.  – Professional Women
9:50 a.m.  – Para Athletics Divisions
10:00 a.m.  – Wave 1
10:25 a.m.  – Wave 2
10:50 a.m.  – Wave 3
11:15 a.m.  – Wave 4

Approximate Finishes:

10:23 a.m. - Wheelchair Division - Men

10:37 a.m. - Wheelchair Division - Women

11:44 a.m. - Professional Men

12:08 p.m. - Professional Women

12:25 p.m. - Para Athletics Divisions

Another item to note on the day's schedule is the singing of the national anthem by Canton resident Julia Minichiello. Ms. Minichiello won the Sing2Gether competition and is a UMass Amherst student. Her performance is scheduled to take place at 9:56 a.m. 

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