Distance running legend Eliud Kipchoge made his debut at the 127th Boston Marathon with the aim of breaking the course record and adding a Boston title to his already impressive marathon career.
The 2023 Boston Marathon held particular significance as it marked the 10-year anniversary of the tragic Boston Marathon bombing, with the marathon honoring the resilience of survivors, friends, and family of the victims.
The elite races featured strong competition, with some of the world's best marathoners challenging each other for the title, and the Boston Athletic Association introducing a new division for non-binary athletes to promote inclusivity in the event.
The Boston Marathon is known for its challenging course, hilly terrain, and windy conditions, with the weather also playing a crucial role in this year's race.
With the Boston Marathon now over, the running world turned its attention to the upcoming London Marathon, where double Olympic 5,000m and 10,000m champion Sir Mo Farah was preparing for what is expected to be his last appearance at the London race.
On April 17, distance running legend Eliud Kipchoge made his debut at the 127th Boston Marathon.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist and marathon world record holder had previously won titles in Berlin, London, Tokyo, and Chicago, four of the world’s six marathon majors.
Kipchoge aimed to break Geoffrey Mutai’s course record of 2:03:02 from 2011 in his first appearance in the prestigious race.
Remembering the 2013 Bombing
This year’s marathon held particular significance as it marked the 10-year anniversary of the tragic Boston Marathon bombing.
In 2013, a domestic terrorist attack near the finish line killed three people and injured at least 264.
Survivors, friends, and family of the victims, and those raising money for related causes, formed the One Fund community.
The marathon honored their resilience, commemorating those killed with a military march before the race began.
Strong Competition in Elite Races
The elite races featured some of the strongest fields ever seen at a major marathon.
In the men’s race, Ethiopian Lelisa Desisa, Kenyans Evans Chebet and Benson Kipruto, and Kipchoge were expected to challenge each other for the title.
The women’s elite race showcased three former Boston winners: American Des Linden, Kenyan Edna Kiplagat, and Ethiopian Atsede Bayisa.
Additionally, the race included last year’s world championship medalists Gotytom Gebreslase from Ethiopia and Lonah Salpeter from Israel, and Kenya’s two-time Olympic medalist Hellen Obiri.
Kipchoge aimed to break Geoffrey Mutai’s course record of 2:03:02 from 2011 in his first appearance in the prestigious race.
New Division for Non-Binary Athletes
The Boston Athletic Association introduced a new division for non-binary athletes, further promoting inclusivity in the event.
To enter, non-binary athletes were required to complete a marathon as a non-binary participant during the qualifying window.
A total of 27 runners registered in the new division, making the Boston Marathon the fifth of the six major marathons to include a non-binary category.
Challenging Course and Weather Conditions
The Boston Marathon, a point-to-point course starting in Hopkinton and finishing in Copley Square, is known for its hilly terrain and windy conditions.
It features four notable climbs in the second half, culminating with the notorious Heartbreak Hill at the 20-mile mark.
The weather also played a crucial role in this year’s marathon, with rain and wind forecast throughout the day.
Despite the challenges, nearly 30,000 athletes from over 100 countries participated in the event.
Looking Ahead
As the Boston Marathon concluded, the running world turned its attention to the upcoming London Marathon on April 23.
Sir Mo Farah, the 40-year-old double Olympic 5,000m and 10,000m champion, prepared for what is expected to be his last appearance at the London race.
