Joanie - 1979-1983

Clad in her Bowdoin College uniform, Maine’s Joan Benoit burst onto the scene with an American and course record time of 2:35:15 in 1979. Benoit’s run set the stage for a career that would see her win the inaugural Women’s Olympic Marathon and the 1983 Boston Marathon, cementing her spot among running’s most legendary athletes.

Era of Dominance - 1988

Kenya’s Ibrahim Hussein edged Tanzania’s Juma Ikangaa to win by a mere one second in 2:08:43. Hussein’s victory was the first by an East African competitor, ushering in an era dominated by athletes from Kenya and Ethiopia.

Charity Program Debuts - 1989

The first year of the Boston Marathon Official Charity Program came in 1989, with the American Liver Foundation raising $6,600. Since then the Charity Program has grown to annually feature more than 40 charities, with a combined $400 million raised over three decades.