The Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathon and will be held this year on April 20th. Here are some fun facts about the event:
- John McDermott won the first Boston Marathon in 1897.
- 30,000 runners from all 50 states and more than 60 countries will participate in this year’s marathon.
- John Kelley is the man who ran the most marathons. He started 61 times, finished 58 times and won twice – in 1935 and 1945.
- Over one million spectators are expected at this year’s event.
- The first runner to receive prize money for winning the marathon was Robert de Castella, of Australia, in 1986.
- Women were not allowed to run the marathon until 1972. In 1966, Roberta “Bobbi” Gibb became the first woman to run the entire event. She had to disguise herself by wearing her brother’s Bermuda shorts and hooded sweat shirt.
- Ernst van Dyk, of South Africa, holds the record for the most wins with nine victories and he did it in a wheelchair!
- Although famous for its hills, the marathon is actually mostly a descent, from 475 feet above sea level to 16 feet above.
- Kenya’s Catherine Ndereba tops the women’s division with 4 wins.
- Clarence DeMar, of the U.S. has the most wins in the men’s division with 7 victories.
- Madonna Buder, the “Iron Nunn”, finished the marathon in 2012 at the age of 81!
- Geoffrey Mutai, of Kenya, holds the course record at 2:03:02. The women’s record is held by Rita Jeptoo, of Kenya, at 2:18:57.
- In 2014, Meb Keflezighi became the first American to win the marathon since Greg Meyer in 1983.
