Runners partied like it was 2018 after crossing the 126th Boston Marathon finish line on Boylston Street, celebrating the venerable race’s return to Patriot’s Day after a three-year break during the coronavirus pandemic.
Monday’s race capped off the first time the Boston Marathon has been held twice in a 12-month span, after the 2021 race was postponed from its original April date to October — just six months before Patriot’s Day came around again.
“I ran Boston in October, so I’m proud to be one of the only people to run two Bostons in one year, so that’s pretty cool. But it’s amazing to be part of the tradition again,” said marathon finisher Harris Craycraft, a senior at Boston College.
Other runners who had considered competing in the unusual fall race decided to cross their fingers and hope a day like Monday would return.
“I debated doing it in the fall of 2021 but I decided to hold off for Patriot’s Day. It just feels special to do it in the third Monday of April,” said runner Lauren Kelly, a Philadelphian who was elated to finish her first Boston Marathon within minutes of her goal pace.
When runners sign up for the April race, they’re committing to competing during New England’s most unpredictable time of year, weather-wise. Conditions on Marathon Monday have ranged from freezing cold rain to hot, summer-like days. The 126th race offered runners crisp temperatures that stayed in the low 50s and clear blue skies, but strong winds to run against from Hopkinton to Back Bay.
“I will say, the headwind was not my friend. But you see all these people running like it’s nothing, so it gives you the confidence to keep going, and you have the crowd cheering on the side,” said finisher Chris Harris.
The constant headwinds held back leaders in the elite packs from breaking course records, but Kenyans reigned victorious, winning both the men’s and women’s divisions.
Peres Jepchirchir became the first athlete to win an Olympic gold medal, the New York City Marathon and the Boston Marathon, clocking in 2:21:01. She traded leads with Ethiopian runner Ababel Yeshaneh eight times before making the final turn onto Boylston Street.
“I fell behind. But I didn’t lose hope,” she said after her victory.
Evans Chebet won the men’s race with a time of 2:06:51. He spent most of the race in a pack with several other elite runners before pulling away after the Newton hills.
“I observed that my counterparts were nowhere near me and that gave me the motivation,” he said.
Several Ukrainian runners finished the marathon, proudly wearing their country’s colors after athletes from Russia and Belarus had been disinvited from competing this year in response to the invasion of Ukraine.
“When I really wanted to stop at some point, (supporters) were like, ‘Go Ukraine!’ I just couldn’t stop,” Ukrainian runner Dmytro Molchanov said, with his country’s flag draped around his shoulders.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
