April 2022

Runners, Volunteers, Spectators, and Sponsors:

I am thrilled to welcome you to the 126th Boston Marathon. Year after year, the City of Boston and the Boston Athletic Association come together to host the world’s oldest annual marathon—a legendary demonstration of strength, grit, and spirit. For the last two years, we’ve had to adapt to the pandemic—hosting a virtual running in 2020, and a fall event in 2021. This year, we are excited to be celebrating the return of this historic tradition on Patriot's Day in Boston.

30,000 people, from all 50 states and nearly 100 countries around the world, will come together in our city to participate in this year's marathon. And they'll be supported by nearly 10,000 volunteers whose passion and dedication not only make this event possible, but make it the most anticipated race in the country. I'm grateful to all those who give their time, energy, and effort to creating a marathon experience that is safe, fun, and unforgettable for all of us.

In addition to being the first time in three years that the marathon will take place on Patriots' Day, this year's race marks 50 years since women were officially invited to participate in this marathon—though it's worth acknowledging that, as far back as 1966, trailblazing women like Roberta Gibb hid in the bushes near the starting line to sneak in among the runners once the race had started. In 1972, eight women ran in the inaugural women's division of the marathon. This year, among the thousands of women who will be running, is Molly Seidel—a former Boston resident, and forever Bostonian at heart, who won bronze on the world's biggest stage at the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Marathon. Welcome back, Molly—we're so happy to have you with us!

As always, thank you to the B.A.A. for organizing this incredible event every year, and thank you, Tom Grilk, for more than a decade of unwavering leadership as President and CEO of the B.A.A. To all of the runners this year, I wish you the best of luck!

Sincerely,

Mayor Michelle Wu City of Boston

30,000 people, from all 50 states and nearly 100 countries around the world, will come together in our city to participate in this year's marathon.