The deepest men's field in Boston history
The 130th Boston Marathon runs on Monday, April 21, 2026. This edition is shaping up to be one of the most competitive the Hopkinton-to-Boylston course has ever seen.
The men's field includes 16 athletes with sub-2:06 personal bests. That's a first in the race's history.
For context: the course record stands at 2:03:02, set by Geoffrey Mutai in 2011 under wind-aided conditions that made the mark non-world-record eligible. The depth of the 2026 field is real.
Men's top contenders
John Korir is defending. The Kenyan won Boston 2025 in 2:04:45, then lowered his personal best to 2:02:24 at Valencia Marathon in December. He returns in form, with course knowledge on his side.
His main challenger is Benson Kipruto. With a 2:02:16 PB from Tokyo 2024, he holds the fastest time in the field. More significantly, Kipruto has already won Chicago, Boston, and New York. An unprecedented triple. Boston is his last attempt at a record that doesn't yet exist in the sport.
On the American side, Conner Mantz is now the US record holder with 2:04:43 from Chicago in October 2025. He's aiming for the podium on home soil.
Women's top contenders
Sharon Lokedi is back to defend her title and her course record of 2:17:22 from last year. The Kenyan is the logical favorite.
But American Fiona O'Keeffe may be the most serious threat. The world record holder at 2:22:08, she's racing on home terrain in what looks like her peak year. An American women's win at Boston 2026 would be a major moment for US distance running.
The course: what runners need to know
Boston's course runs net downhill from Hopkinton to Boston, but it doesn't forgive impatience. The Newton Hills between miles 17 and 21 are the most famous and most feared section of the race. If you're planning your own race strategy, the complete Boston 2026 preparation guide breaks down how to approach each segment.
Heartbreak Hill sits at mile 21, when legs are already heavy. Runners who went out too fast pay their debt here.
This year, athletes from 137 countries and all 50 US states will toe the start line. For the first time in the race's history, all four defending open and wheelchair division champions are competing.
How to follow the race
The wheelchair divisions start at 9:02am local time (2:02pm GMT). Elite women go at 9:37am and elite men at 10:00am. To understand how elite marathoners manage their effort and pacing through a race like this, the data from both camps is worth reading before the gun goes off.
Coverage is available on ESPN+ and NBC Sports in the US. Internationally, the BAA streams the race live on its website and YouTube channel.