You’ve heard the stories. The screaming fans at Wellesley, the soul-crushing incline of Heartbreak Hill, and that final, glorious turn onto Boylston Street. But honestly, Marathon Monday Boston 2025 wasn't just another year in the history of the world's oldest annual marathon. It was a day that rewrote the record books and reminded everyone why this race is basically the Holy Grail of running.
People think they know Boston. They think it's just about the qualifying times or the iconic blue and yellow jackets.
They’re wrong.
The 129th edition of the race, held on April 21, 2025, felt different from the start in Hopkinton. There was this weirdly high energy in the air—maybe because it was the 50th anniversary of the wheelchair division, or maybe because we all knew Hellen Obiri was chasing a historic three-peat.
Spoiler: things didn't go exactly as the pundits predicted.
The Course Record Nobody Saw Coming
If you were watching the women's elite field, you probably had your money on Obiri. Most people did. She was trying to become the first woman since the 1990s to win three in a row. But Sharon Lokedi had other plans.
Lokedi didn't just win; she absolutely demolished the course record.
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For years, Buzunesh Deba’s 2:19:59 from 2014 was the "untouchable" mark. Lokedi clocked a 2:17:22. Think about that for a second. That is a massive chunk of time to take off a course as notoriously difficult as Boston. She didn't just run; she flew through the Newton hills, leaving a field of world-class athletes—including Obiri and Amane Beriso—struggling to keep her in sight.
On the men's side, John Korir proved that speed runs in the family. His brother Wesley won here back in 2012, and John’s victory in 2:04:45 made them the first brothers to both own Boston titles.
It was a masterclass in front-running.
He didn't wait for a sprint finish. He broke the field early and just... kept going. Alphonce Simbu and Cybrian Kotut fought for the remaining podium spots, but Korir was already halfway to his post-race meal by the time they hit the line.
Why the 2025 Cutoff Still Stings
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the "cut-off."
If you tried to get into the 2025 race, you know the pain. For Marathon Monday Boston 2025, the B.A.A. had to reject over 12,000 qualified runners.
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Basically, just "qualifying" isn't enough anymore.
You had to be 6 minutes and 51 seconds faster than your age group’s standard just to get a bib. It was a record-breaking year for applications (over 36,000 people applied for 30,000 spots), which essentially turned the registration process into a secondary race.
This "running boom" is great for the sport, but it's kinda brutal for the average runner.
- 18-34 Men: Needed roughly a 2:53:09 to get in.
- 18-34 Women: Needed roughly a 3:23:09.
If you were one of the 12,324 people who got that "we regret to inform you" email, you aren't alone. It’s actually led to a massive shift for the 2026 race, where standards have been tightened by an additional five minutes for most age groups. The B.A.A. is basically saying: "If you want to be here, you have to be even faster."
The Wheelchair 50th: A Full Circle Moment
We can't talk about this year without mentioning the wheelchair division. It’s easy to forget that Boston was the first major marathon to officially recognize wheelchair athletes back in 1975.
Fifty years later, the GOAT, Marcel Hug, proved he’s still the man to beat.
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Hug (the "Silver Bullet") took the men's title in 1:21:34, while American Susannah Scaroni dominated the women’s side with a 1:35:20. Watching them fly down the hills into Brookline is a reminder that the marathon isn't just a foot race—it's a testament to engineering and raw human power.
The Logistics: Survival Guide for the Rest of Us
For the 30,000 people who actually made it to the start line, the day was a logistical marathon before the actual marathon.
The MBTA (the "T") is usually a mess, but on Marathon Monday, it’s a specific kind of organized chaos. Copley Station was closed all day, and if you tried to catch a bus near Saint James Ave, you were likely redirected.
Spectators have it just as hard.
If you want a spot at the finish line, you basically have to be there at dawn. Pro tip for next time: head to Natick or Wellesley. You get a better view of the runners' faces, and you aren't packed like a sardine. Plus, the "Scream Tunnel" at Wellesley College is something you have to hear to believe. It’s a wall of sound that hits you at Mile 13 and carries you through the half-marathon mark.
Actionable Takeaways for Future Hopefuls
If you’re reading this because you want to be part of the next Marathon Monday, don't just "aim for the standard."
- Buffer is King: Aim for at least 7-8 minutes under your qualifying time. As we saw in 2025, a 5-minute buffer is no longer a guarantee.
- Train for the Downhill: Most people worry about Heartbreak Hill, but the first 10k of Boston is a quad-killer because it’s downhill. If your quads are shredded by Mile 16, the hills will finish you off.
- The "Pre-Verification" Hack: Use the B.A.A.’s pre-verification window in July. It doesn't guarantee entry, but it saves you a massive headache during the high-stress registration week in September.
- Logistics Matter: Book your hotel the second you get your acceptance email (or even before, if you can get a refundable rate). Prices in Back Bay triple for that weekend.
Marathon Monday Boston 2025 was a high-water mark for the sport. It showed that despite tougher standards and heartbreaking cutoffs, the allure of those 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Boston is stronger than ever. Whether you were breaking a course record or just trying to finish before the sweep bus, you were part of something that only happens in one city, on one specific Monday in April.
Start your hill repeats now. 2026 is going to be even harder.