Boston Marathon 2026 Recap – Author David Baker

Boston Marathon 2026 was my best experience on this course yet. Marion supported and stage-managed like a champ. The city was wonderful and welcoming. I made a new friend on the bus and enjoyed her company all the way to the corrals. Floor is from the Netherlands, and she doesn’t run with her phone. She didn’t even have it with her. So took photos for both of us, sending them to her as we went.

I’d set a goal for myself of 3:20—not too aggressive, given that I’d run the Tokyo Marathon just seven weeks before. My BQ target is 3:30, so even if I hit my exact time, I’d end up with a 10-minute cushion if I decided to run Boston again next year.

The race itself was near perfect. After threatening to be rainy and cold in the days prior to the race, Monday’s weather was cool and clear. I said goodbye to Floor at her corral and made my way to mine. My wave started and I got going. This year, I even remembered to take a few selfies along the way! I felt great all the way to the Newton hills.

Also, I got to see Marion in Framingham and Wellesley, which lifted my spirits. After I missed her—twice!—on the Tokyo course, she came up with the idea of wearing a set of tall bunny ears to help me spot her. They looked ridiculous, but worked perfectly.

There’s a reason they call it “Heartbreak Hill.” When I hit it, I knew I was ahead of schedule by over four minutes, and I burned at least one minute of cushion climbing that beast. But once I crested the summit, I managed to power up again. I spotted Marion again near Fenway Park, right in front of the legendary Citgo sign, and I was grinning all the way to the Hereford turn.

Rounding the corner to Boylston is pure magic. The crowds provide the energy, and the prospect of finishing is palpable. I managed to finish in 3:17:55, more than two minutes under my goal, my fastest ever time in four times running Boston.