- PROFESSIONAL FIELD PREVIEW
"I can’t wait to line up in this year’s historic fall edition of the Boston Marathon. Experience goes a long way in Boston, and lining up with so many great champions, who have proven they know how to win on this course, will be an extra challenge on race day. I’m training hard and more motivated than ever to be ready to put together a memorable performance this October."
— Des Linden, 2018 Champion
JOHN HANCOCK PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES AT A GLANCE
DESIREE LINDEN 2018 CHAMPION
Country: USA (MI)
Personal Best: 2:22:38
Linden won the 2018 Boston Marathon and finished runnerup in 2011. During the pandemic, she set a new world and American best for the 50K distance (31.069 miles): 2:59:54.
EDNA KIPLAGAT 2017 CHAMPION & 2-TIME WORLD CHAMPION
Country: Kenya
Personal Best: 2:19:50
Kiplagat’s marathon résumé is deep with wins in Boston, New York, London, and at the World Championships. She was runner-up in Boston in 2019 and nearly came from behind to beat Worknesh Degefa.
MARE DIBABA OLYMPIC BRONZE MEDALIST & WORLD CHAMPION
Country: Ethiopia
Personal Best: 2:19:52
Twice a runner-up in Boston, Dibaba earned gold at the 2015 World Championships Marathon. A year later she took home bronze from the Olympic Marathon in Rio de Janeiro.
YEBRGUAL MELESE CONTENDER
Country: Ethiopia
Personal Best: 2:19:36
Making her Boston debut is Melese, a past marathon winner in Shanghai, Prague, and Houston. Only five Ethiopian women have won Boston since 2000.
JORDAN HASAY U.S. CONTENDER
Country: USA (CA)
Personal Best: 2:20:57
Hasay is the second-fastest American marathoner in history and finished third place in both the 2017 and 2019 Boston Marathons. After overcoming injuries, she's aiming to move up the podium.