MEN'S OPEN DIVISION CONTENDERS

Benson Kipruto

Kenya • Personal Best: 2:05:13

After taking the lead in Newton, Benson went on to win last October's Boston Marathon in 2:09:51. He credited experience on the course for jumping from tenth place in 2019 to the top spot in 2021.

Kenenisa Bekele

Ethiopia • Personal Best: 2:01:41

The fastest and most decorated man ever to line up in Hopkinton is Kenenisa, who ranks second all-time— just two seconds shy of the world record. He's a three-time Olympic gold medalist and owns 21 global titles.

Titus Ekiru

Kenya • Personal Best: 2:02:57

Winning the 2021 Milan Marathon in 2:02:57 made Titus the fastest marathoner in the world last year. He's a two-time winner of the Honolulu Marathon, and will look to utilize his winning speed in his Boston debut.

Lawrence Cherono

Kenya • Personal Best: 2:03:04

Lawrence has a knack for close finishes. He won Boston in 2019 by two seconds, took the 2021 Valencia Marathon title by four seconds, missed an Olympic Marathon medal by a mere two seconds, and won the 2019 Chicago Marathon by one second.

Lemi Berhanu

Ethiopia • Personal Best: 2:04:33

After winning the 2016 Boston Marathon and skipping across the line, Lemi suffered two DNF's in '17 and '18. He returned to the podium with a vengeance last year, finishing runner-up in 2:10:37. He's run six sub-2:10 marathons.

Geoffrey Kamworor

Kenya • Personal Best: 2:05:23

A two-time winner of the TCS New York City Marathon and three-time World Athletics Half Marathon champion, Geoffrey is known as a prolific road racer with blitzing speed. He's a former half marathon world record holder (58:01).

Albert Korir

Kenya • Personal Best: 2:08:03

Albert makes his Boston Marathon debut less than six months after winning the TCS New York City Marathon in 2:08:22. His collection of marathon victories includes Houston, Ottawa, Vienna, and Eldoret.

Colin Bennie

USA (VA) • Personal Best: 2:09:38

A Princeton, Mass.-native and Wachusett Regional High School grad, Colin is the hometown favorite. He gained lots of confidence from competing in the front pack last year en route to a 7th-place, top-American finish in 2021.

CJ Albertson

USA (CA) • Personal Best: 2:11:18

Known for his bold front-running strategy at October's Boston Marathon, CJ returns after taking the 10th spot in 2021. Watch for him to attack the early downhills and compete at the front.

MEN'S WHEELCHAIR DIVISION CONTENDERS

Marcel Hug

Switzerland • Personal Best: 1:17:47

With five Boston titles and a course record of 1:18:04 to his name, Marcel enters this year's race as the favorite. He finished in 1:18:11 last October, and hasn't ruled out another attack on the course record.

Daniel Romanchuk

USA (IL) • Personal Best: 1:21:36

Daniel finished runner-up in his return to Boston in 2021, which came less than 24 hours after he won the Chicago Marathon. He earned gold (400m) and bronze (marathon) medals at the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo.

Ernst van Dyk

South Africa • Personal Best: 1:18:04

Returning for his 22nd Boston is Ernst, an icon from Hopkinton to Boston. He's a winning champion of the most all-times in race history with 10 titles, and placed third behind Hug and Romanchuk last year.

MEN'S PARA ATHLETICS DIVISION CONTENDERS

Michael Roeger

Australia • Personal Best & World Record: 2:18:53 • T46 (Upper-limb Impairment)

As a T46 world record holder and Paralympic medalist, Michael enters as the favorite and fastest among this year's Para Athletics Divisions.

Chaz Davis

USA (MA) • Personal Best: 2:31:48 T12 (Vision Impairment)

Chaz brings experience and speed to the table. He's local to Boston, a 2016 Paralympian, the American record holder, and the reigning champion among the vision impairment Para Division.

Marko Cheseto Lemtukei

USA (FL) • Personal Best: 2:35:55 T52 (Lower-limb Impairment)

The fastest double lower-limb impaired athlete in the world, Marko timed 2:35:55 in New York City just four weeks after running Boston in 2:53:09 last year.

I recognize the tradition of the Boston Marathon, the world's most historic marathon, and look forward to racing in April. For many years, Ethiopia has had a strong tradition in Boston, and I am excited to join that legacy. I have long looked forward to racing the Boston Marathon." – Kenenisa Bekele, three-time Olympic gold medalist