Boston Marathon 2021

The oldest marathon in history lives on as over 30,000 people race in Boston, Massachusetts. The committee adjusted their regulations and rules to fit the COVID-19 priorities, and the race took place.

On September 2nd, The Boston Athletic Association announced that the marathon will take place on October 11th, 2021. This race is normally set for April, but COVID-19 has adjusted dates of this annual event. This tradition dates back to 1897 and ran on April 19th, or Patriots’ Day. Up until 1968, the race took place on that Sunday almost every year. When Patriot's Day was officially changed to the third Monday in April, the race was changed to fit that day instead. The alignment of Patriot’s Day and the Boston Marathon is important because it commemorates the Revolutionary War and its importance in Massachusetts and Maine.

Additionally, the race observed COVID-19 protocols to keep everyone in check. Due to the large number of people who register to run, runners must come completely COVID-19 free with a proof of vaccination or negative test result. Luckily for the participants, no masks were required to be worn throughout the run. But on the other hand, if a participant tests positive, the person may not run and will receive their entry fee back. Though these requirements may seem strict, the Association had to stick to the area's protocol for the race to take place.

Looking into the race, the first division started at 9:00 AM. The participants started on Main Street in Hopkinton and finished just off Newbury Street in the center of Boston. Participants in wheelchairs began first. Marcel Hug, of Switzerland, won this race with a time of one hour and eighteen minutes. For the men's elite division, Benson Kipruto, of Kenya, won, finishing the race in just two hours and nine minutes. For the women’s elite division, Diana Kipyogei, also native to Kenya, finished first with a time of two hours and twenty five minutes.