Sport Boston Marathon 2022: Start time, route, qualifying times, list of past winners

In Russia, thousands defy police threats to protest the invasion of Ukraine. Can it make a difference?

The Kremlin has cracked down on demonstrations in Moscow and across Russia. Authorities have closed Russian media outlets and censored war coverage.Antiwar protests erupted within hours of Russia's invasion Feb. 24 in more than 60 cities. The demonstrations, which range from massive rallies to single-person pickets, have continued even amid a fierce Kremlin crackdown.

For the first time since 2019, the Boston Marathon returns to its prime time: 9 a.m. on the third Monday of April — Patriots' Day. Racers will be greeted with blooming mayflowers and clear skies in calmer, albeit chillier, conditions than last year.

The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected the marathon over the past two years. In 2020, amid nationwide calls for social distancing and quarantines, the marathon was canceled, although a virtual race was held in its stead. Runners returned to the event in 2021, but it was pushed back to November, another precautionary measure taken during the pandemic.

Runners must be vaccinated to participate in 2022. However, the rolling start that marked last year's iteration of the race — another protocol taken to stem close contact between racers — has been removed. With approximately 30,000 participants expected this year, according to Boston.com, there just wouldn't be enough space to reimplement the system.

Vladimir Putin may declare martial law in Russia. Here's what it would mean for Russians.

As the invasion of Ukraine grinds on and unrest grows in Russia, Putin may declare martial law to crack down on opposition to the incursion.One week after the distant booms heard outside Kyiv in the pre-dawn hours signaled the beginning of the Russian advance, more than one million people have reportedly fled Ukraine and hundreds of military and civilian deaths have been reported as the Russian military continues to lay siege to cities all around Ukraine.

The defending champions of the race are Benson Kipruto of Kenya (men's) and Diana Kipyokei of Kenya (women's).

MORE: Watch the Boston Marathon live on fuboTV (free trial)

When is the Boston Marathon 2022?

• Date: Monday, April 18
• Time: 9 a.m. ET
• TV: USA Network
• Live stream: NBC Sports App, fuboTV

This year's Boston Marathon will take place on Monday, April 18. The men's wheelchair start will kick things off at 9:02 a.m., followed three minutes later by the women's wheelchair event.

At 9:30 a.m., the handcycles and duos group will depart. The professional men's division is the next group up, taking off at 9:37 a.m. It will be followed up by the professional women's division, which will start running at 9:45 a.m.

The last race to take off, the para athletics division, will get started at 9:50 a.m. The wave heats get started with wave 1, which will leave the start at 10:00 a.m. Wave 2 will kick off at 10:25 a.m., followed by wave 3 at 10:50 a.m. and wave 4 at 11:15 a.m.

National League West betting guide

It looks like the National League West should be a runaway for the Dodgers, but that was supposed to be the case last season too. Instead we saw the Giants win 107 games and beat the Dodgers by a game. It was quite the race, and this year that would be a major surprise once again. L.A. is definitely the most complete team in the division as we start the season. © Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports San Diego Padres starting pitcher Blake Snell is part of a strong rotation. Last year the Giants came out of nowhere to push L.A.

Boston Marathon start times

Event	Time (ET)
Men's Wheelchair	9:02 a.m.
Women's Wheelchair	9:05 a.m.
Handcycles and Duos	9:30 a.m.
Professional Men	9:37 a.m.
Professional Women	9:45 a.m.
Para Athletics Division	9:50 a.m.
Wave 1	10:00 a.m.
Wave 2	10:25 a.m.
Wave 3	10:50 a.m.
Wave 4	11:15 a.m.

Boston Marathon route 2022

The legendary Boston Marathon race course spans 26.2 miles, taking participants through parts of historic Boston. The race starts in Hopkinton, a quiet, suburban town with a population of about 20,000 people.

The first half of the race is largely downhill, with runners racing on "side" roads. Participants will pass various landmarks scattered around the city, including the Stylianos Kriakides Statue on Mile 3 and Wellesly College, located on Mile 14.

At Mile 16, the course gets harder, though. Runners will have to make their way up and down four hills — aptly known as the "heartbreak hills" — before finishing the race on Bolyston Street.

Boston Marathon: Kenenisa Bekele among big names to withdraw

Kenenisa Bekele, the second-fastest marathoner in history, and Sara Hall, the third-fastest American female marathoner, withdrew from the Boston Marathon.Organizers did not say why they withdrew. Bekele’s agent later said he was “just not ready” and wanted to avoid repeating his last marathon in New York City in November, when he finished sixth while running six minutes slower than he did at the Berlin Marathon six weeks earlier. He said in a finish-area interview that day that he had a little hip problem.

Boston Marathon weather forecast

The forecast for the Boston Marathon looks promising, with weekend rain expected to clear out by Monday morning. According to WBZ-4 Boston meteorologist Terry Eliasen,  temperatures are expected to hover around the 50s.

Boston Marathon qualifying times

Age	Men	Women
18-34	3:00:00	3:30:00
35–39	3:05:00	3:35:00
40–44	3:10:00	3:40:00
45–49	3:20:00	3:50:00
50–54	3:25:00	3:55:00
55–59	3:35:00	4:05:00
60–64	3:50:00	4:20:00
65–69	4:05:00	4:35:00
70–74	4:20:00	4:50:00
75–79	4:35:00	5:05:00
≥80	4:50:00	5:20:00

List of past Boston Marathon winners

Men

Year

Runner (Country)

Time

2021	Benson Kipruto (Kenya)	2:09:51
2019	Lawrence Cherono (Kenya)	2:07:57
2018	Yuki Kawauchi (Japan)	2:15:58
2017	Geoffrey Kirui (Kenya)	2:09:37
2016	Lemi Berhanu (Ethiopia)	2:12:45
2015	Lelisa Desisa (Ethiopia)	2:09:17
2014	Meb Keflezighi (United States)	2:08:37
2013	Lelisa Desisa (Ethiopia)	2:10:22
2012	Wesley Korir (Kenya)	2:12:40
2011	Geoffrey Mutai (Kenya)	2:03:02
2010	Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot (Kenya)	2:05:52
2009	Deriba Merga (Ethiopia)	2:08:42

Women

Time

Runner (Country)

Time

2021	Diana Kipyokei (Kenya)	2:24:45
2019	Worknesh Degefa (Ethiopia)	2:23:31
2018	Desiree Linden (United States)	2:39:54
2017	Edna Kiplagat (Kenya)	2:21:52
2016	Atsede Baysa (Ethiopia)	2:29:19
2015	Caroline Rotich (Kenya)	2:24:55
2014	Buzunesh Deba (Ethiopia)	2:19:59
2013	Rita Jeptoo (Kenya)	2:26:25
2012	Sharon Cherop (Kenya)	2:31:50
2011	Caroline Kilel (Kenya)	2:22:36
2010	Teyba Erkesso (Ethiopia)	2:26:11
2009	Salina Kosgei (Kenya)	2:32:16