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Sports Encyclopedia Entry 1781877425

** The **Boston Marathon**, one of the world's most prestigious long-distance running events, has a rich history spanning over a century, attracting top athletes from around the globe. ## Overview The **Boston Marathon**, also known as the **Boston Marathon** or **Boston**, is an annual **marathon** held in **Boston, Massachusetts**, United States. It is the world's oldest annual marathon and one of the six World Marathon Majors. The event is organized by the **Boston Athletic Association (BAA)** and takes place on Patriots' Day, the third Monday in April every year. The marathon course runs through the city's historic neighborhoods, including Copley Square, the Back Bay, and the Charles River Esplanade. The **Boston Marathon** has a long history dating back to 1897, when it was first held as part of the **Boston Marathon Association's** inaugural event. The first winner was **John J. McDermott**, an American athlete who completed the course in 2 hours, 55 minutes, and 10 seconds. Over the years, the event has grown in popularity, attracting top athletes from around the world. Today, the **Boston Marathon** is one of the most competitive and prestigious long-distance running events, with a field of over 30,000 runners. ## History/Background The **Boston Marathon** was first conceived by **Boston Athletic Association (BAA)** member **Herbert H. Holton** in 1896. Holton was inspired by the success of the **London Marathon**, which had been held the previous year. He proposed the idea of a marathon to the BAA, and the event was officially sanctioned by the **International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF)** in 1897. The first **Boston Marathon** was held on April 19, 1897, with 15 runners participating in the event. Over the years, the **Boston Marathon** has undergone several changes. In 1918, the event was suspended due to World War I, and it was not held again until 1920. In 1966, the **Boston Marathon** was officially recognized as a World Championship event by the **IAAF**. In 1996, the event was moved to its current course, which runs through the city's historic neighborhoods. ## Key Information * **Course:** The **Boston Marathon** course runs through the city's historic neighborhoods, including Copley Square, the Back Bay, and the Charles River Esplanade. * **Distance:** The course is 42.195 kilometers (26.2 miles) long. * **Elevation gain:** The course has a total elevation gain of 305 meters (1,001 feet). * **Finish line:** The finish line is located in Copley Square. * **Record:** The men's record is held by **Eliud Kipchoge**, who completed the course in 2 hours, 1 minute, and 9 seconds in 2018. * **Women's record:** The women's record is held by **Brigid Kosgei**, who completed the course in 2 hours, 14 minutes, and 4 seconds in 2019. ## Significance The **Boston Marathon** is one of the most prestigious long-distance running events in the world, attracting top athletes from around the globe. The event has a rich history and has played an important role in the development of distance running. The **Boston Marathon** has also been a platform for athletes to set world records and push the boundaries of human performance. The **Boston Marathon** has also been a symbol of resilience and determination, with many athletes overcoming adversity to complete the course. In 2013, **Lelisa Desisa** and **Lidiya Shobukhova** were disqualified for cheating, but **Desisa** later won the 2014 **Boston Marathon**. In 2019, **Desisa** won the event again, becoming the first athlete to win the **Boston Marathon** three times. INFOBOX: - **Name:** Boston Marathon - **Type:** Marathon - **Date:** Third Monday in April - **Location:** Boston, Massachusetts, United States - **Known For:** World's oldest annual marathon TAGS: **Boston Marathon**, **Marathon**, **Boston Athletic Association**, **International Association of Athletics Federations**, **World Championship**, **Distance Running**, **Resilience**, **Determination**, **Athletics**, **Sports**, **Running**