Boston Marathon updates
Organizers confirmed Patriot’s Day weekend events: the Boston 5K and B.A.A. Invitational Mile will run on Saturday, April 18, and the 2026 Boston Marathon is set for Monday, April 20 — elite fields include world record holders and Olympians. (baa.org) Brookes Townsend announced he’ll run to raise funds for charity, and Dropkick Murphys’ Jeff DaRosa is also running to support the Claddagh Fund — the classic Boston music‑meets‑running vibe is back. (prnewswire.com) (boston.com)
The B.A.A. listed specific women entered in the Boston 5K including Gela Hambese (14:53 in 2025), 2024 Boston 10K champion Melknat Wudu, 14:16 5,000m runner Medina Eisa, former steeplechase world champion Norah Jeruto, Daisy Jepkemei, American Taylor Roe, and hometown pro Maggie Donahue. (baa.org) On the men’s side the 5K field features past winners Cooper Teare and Morgan Beadlescomb alongside Edwin Kurgat, U.S. steeplechaser Dan Michalski, half‑marathoner Patrick Kiprop (59:14 PB), Sean McGorty, and fast 5,000m runners Addisu Yihune (12:49.65) and Mezgebu Sime (12:49.80). (baa.org) The B.A.A. said more than 10,000 athletes are expected to cross Boylston Street during the Boston 5K racing on Patriots’ Day weekend. (baa.org) For the Marathon the B.A.A. introduced a new six‑wave start for 2026 while keeping the overall field at 30,000 athletes; individual wave sizes will range roughly from 3,200 to 7,100 runners and the course finish line will close at 5:30 p.m. in Boston. (baa.org) Organizers noted runners in the full field will represent more than 130 countries and all 50 U.S. states, a figure used to explain the reworked wave and corral logistics. (baa.org) Townsend’s announcement includes a $25,000 fundraising goal for the Thomas E. Smith Foundation, and the release says Brookes Townsend is making his first full‑marathon attempt after completing three Ironman 70.3 races and was invited by 2013 Boston Marathon bombing hero Michael Chase to an after‑finish gathering. (prnewswire.com) Dropkick Murphys’ Jeff DaRosa is identified as 43 years old, has said he quit drinking at 40 (on a Marathon Monday), trained for Boston while touring, and is fundraising for the Claddagh Fund via an event page tied to his entry. (boston.com)
