The Boston Marathon 2018 has come and gone. It was a great day of running, with over 30,000 runners participating – 27,000 of which finished the race!
There were about 30,000 runners in all, with 27,000 finishing. That’s about one-third repping their fancy new marathoner’s bibs. John Hancock Financial Group was the title sponsor of the Marathon. The company has been a sponsor since 1981. Ten runners were selected to run in this year’s race as winners of their local qualifying races.
How Do They Play Out?
Boston Marathon 2018
Great. There were 20 men and ten women who ran the Marathon in Co-Leaders’ jerseys. Boston Athletic Association (BAA) hosts an Invitational Marathon race each year at 4:30 p.m. on Patriots’ Day (the third Monday in April). The four fastest male and female members of the eight selected to run in the Invitational Marathon earn a place to compete at the Patriot Series Boston Marathon many days later – this year on Monday, April 16.
The event followed the same winding course like the Marathon for decades:
- 26 miles
- 385 yards (42.195 km) of roads
- City streets from Hopkinton to Boylston Street in Boston’s Copley Square
Heavy rain and hail, 40s F, gusty winds.
Pro Women
Pro Women Marathon
In a time of 2:39:54, two-time Olympian Desiree Linden won the first major marathon title of her career. It was Linden’s sixth time competing in Boston, and she finally found success thanks to her familiarity with the course and her characteristic no-nonsense determination.
Pro Men
Pro Men Marathon
Yuki Kawauchi, a frequent marathoner from Japan who finally won a big marathon, was the unexpected champion of the men’s race, making him the second unexpected winner of the day. He won at 2:15:54. In a past race won by Geoffrey Kirui, Shadrack Biwott of the United States came in third with a time of 2:18:35.
The Weather
Because of the conditions, the winning times for the men’s and women’s competitions were the slowest they have been in over three decades. NAZ elite runner Kellyn Taylor was forced to withdraw from the race at the 20-kilometer point due to indications of hypothermia. To cope with the conditions, elite runners wore jackets, and Galen Rupp used a mask.
Charity Runners
A total of 19 runners in the field of competitors are running for charity, including our own John K. Parker, who is running for the Massachusetts Chapter of Alzheimer’s Association. John will be on hand at the finish line to interview a select number of charity runners after the race and will be posting them here on Around Town Boston in the coming days.
Moments That Defined the 2018 Boston Marathon
1. First American woman to win in 33 years
Probably the biggest moment for American women in the race came when Desiree Linden held her hands in the air just ahead of Sarah Sellers at the finish line. The win was big for American women, who hadn’t earned a podium spot since 1985.
2. The Finish Line
The finish line in Hopkinton was packed with fans, like Boston Marathon winner Buzunesh Deba crossed it with two racewalkers competing in honor of Martin Richard.
3. The First Indian-American to Win
Thirty-one women competed in the Boston Marathon, but only four crossed the finish line. Topher Gaylord, who finished 17th in the women’s race, was the first Indian-American woman to cross the finish line.
4. Yuki Kawauchi Didn’t Know He Led Until the Finish
Yuki Kawauchi
Yuki Kawauchi was the second-fastest grade schooler in Japan’s history. At 18 years old, he was in Boston for his third Marathon, but he never expected to win. TV broadcasters failed to pronounce Yuki Kawauchi’s name in the opening kilometers. How long could he hold on? He fell behind about mile 3, then caught up with six miles to go.
5. Shalane Flanagan Takes a Bathroom Break
Shalane Flanagan jumped into a porta-potty an hour into the race. 13 seconds was her pit stop. Desiree Linden slowed. Linden said she planned to drop out and assist Flanagan in catching up. At 2:46:31, Flanagan finished seventh.
6. Amby Burfoot Wins 50 Years Later
Amby Burfoot, 71, ran the Boston Marathon again to mark its 50th anniversary. After the race, he commented, “It was worth every year and mile.” Former Runner’s World editor-in-chief wore 1968. He finished in 4:53:22, over 2.5 hours slower than his 21-year-old win.
7. The Women’s Podium Was Full of Surprises
Utah nurse Sellers is 26. DuChene is a 41-year-old qualified dietician from Branford, Ontario. 2010 Canadian Marathon Champion. Neither anticipated placing at Boston. Duchene wanted to finish in the top three in the master’s class. She’ll get $40,000 instead.
8. Tatyana McFadden Makes History
Tatyana McFadden Makes History
Tatyana McFadden holds the record for the most medals won by a Paralympian in the history of the sport. In 2018, she became the first person in history to win six consecutive titles at the Boston Marathon. The year 1996 marks the conclusion of the most recent competition that included wheelchair athletes.
FAQs
What’s the quickest way from the finish line to the hotel?
The closest hotel to the starting line is Crowne Plaza Hotel, which is less than a mile away. The Marathon has a shuttle that will run continuously from the finish line to Crowne Plaza Hotel, which will take approximately 40 minutes. Copley Marriott is also close by and another good option.
Should I still go to the race if I’m not running the Marathon?
Yes. The Marathon is a major sporting event. It is a spectacular event, and you can do many other things during the race weekend. More than 130,000 people attend this year’s Boston Marathon, and you will have no problem finding parking or transportation in Downtown Boston.
Will there be other races on the course?
No. The marathon course starts and ends at Hopkinton High School and does not contain any other road races. However, like any major city, Boston will have its fair share of races during the weekend. You can look up the Boston Marathon in the Athletic or local magazines and newspapers to see what else is happening around town.
What’s the Boston Marathon age limit?
To compete, you must be a USA Track & Field member and qualify. Those who qualify as USATF-Registered can purchase an annual membership ($30) that gets them all the benefits of membership, including a Boston bib to wear throughout the race weekend. Those who qualify but only wish to run the Marathon can register without the annual membership. This race has no minimum age requirement for participants.
Which hotels will participants stay at?
The Boston Athletic Association arranges hotel accommodations for runners near the race course in Hopkinton and Newton. The chart below shows a list of participating hotels. These are the only hotels that are guaranteed to offer Marathon rates. No room service or meals are included in the hotel rooms, but our travel partner has provided a list of options around the area that you can access during the weekend. You can check out the list by clicking here.
