Boston Marathon History

boston marathon history is one of those subjects that seems simple on the surface but opens up into an endless labyrinth once you start digging.

The First 13 Runners

The Boston Marathon is the world's oldest annual marathon, dating back to 1897 when 15 men lined up for the first event. The idea was conceived by Boston Athletic Association member John Graham, who had attended the first modern Olympic games in Athens just a year earlier and was inspired by the marathon competition there.

Of those original 15 runners, only 13 completed the grueling 24.5-mile course, with winner John J. McDermott of New York crossing the finish line in a time of 2:55:10. The marathon route at the time started at the Irvington Oval in the city's Irvington neighborhood and finished at the Mechanics Building in downtown Boston.

The Evolution of the Course

Over the years, the Boston Marathon course has undergone numerous changes and expansions. In 1924, the start line was moved to the town of Hopkinton, where it remains today, extending the race to its current 26.2-mile length. The finish line has also been moved several times, from the Mechanics Building to the Public Garden and finally to its current location on Boylston Street.

One of the most significant changes came in 1951, when the course was altered to include the famous "Heartbreak Hill" - a challenging uphill section in the Newton neighborhood that has become legendary for testing the endurance of even the most seasoned marathoners.

"Heartbreak Hill is the point where many runners' dreams are shattered - but also where legends are born."
- Bill Rodgers, four-time Boston Marathon champion

The Rise of Women's Running

While the Boston Marathon was always open to female participants, it wasn't until the 1960s that women began competing in greater numbers. In 1966, Roberta "Bobbi" Gibb became the first woman to officially finish the Boston Marathon, running the race unregistered after being rejected as a participant.

It wouldn't be until 1972 that women were formally permitted to enter the Boston Marathon. That year, Nina Kuscsik won the women's division with a time of 3:10:26. Today, women make up nearly half of the total Boston Marathon field, with the 2019 race seeing a record-breaking 47% female participation.

The 1980 Boycott

The 1980 Boston Marathon was marked by controversy and political tensions due to the United States' boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. Several prominent international runners, including defending champions Rodgers Rop of Kenya and Jacqueline Gareau of Canada, were not allowed to compete due to the Olympic boycott.

Despite the absence of many top-tier athletes, the 1980 Boston Marathon still drew a large field of 7,770 runners. The winners that year were Americans Bill Rodgers in the men's division and Jacqueline Sauvé in the women's division.

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The 2013 Bombings

The Boston Marathon was rocked by tragedy in 2013 when two homemade bombs exploded near the finish line, killing 3 people and injuring over 260 others. The attack, carried out by brothers Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, was the deadliest act of terrorism on U.S. soil since 9/11.

Despite the horror of the attack, the 2014 Boston Marathon saw a record-breaking 36,000 runners take to the streets, with hundreds of thousands of spectators lining the course in a show of resilience and solidarity. The race has continued to be a symbol of perseverance and community in the years since, with the city of Boston and its residents rallying around the event.

The Boston Marathon Today

The Boston Marathon remains one of the most prestigious and challenging races in the world, with elite runners from around the globe competing for the coveted title each year. In 2019, a record-breaking 30,000 official entrants took part in the 123rd running of the event.

Beyond the elite competition, the Boston Marathon has also become a beloved community event, with thousands of charity runners raising funds for important causes. The race's historic legacy, iconic course, and unwavering spirit of resilience have cemented its status as one of the most iconic sporting events on the planet.