The Boston Athletic Association on Wednesday announced the men’s professional field for the 130th Boston Marathon, assembling one of the deepest lineups in race history and bringing together world champions, Olympic medalists, and some of the fastest marathoners ever to race on Boston’s storied course.
The field includes 25 men who have run under 2 hours and 7 minutes for the marathon, along with eight of the top 10 finishers from last year’s race. The marathon will be held on April 20, 2026, on Patriots’ Day.
Defending Champion and Major Winners Return
John Korir of Kenya, the defending Boston champion, leads a group of returning contenders that also includes Alphonce Felix Simbu of Tanzania, the 2025 world championships gold medalist who finished second in Boston last year, and Kenya’s Cybrian Kotut, the third-place finisher.
Also returning to Boston for the first time since 2023 is Benson Kipruto of Kenya, one of the most accomplished marathoners in the world. Kipruto won Boston in 2021 and has since added victories at the Chicago Marathon, Tokyo Marathon, and the 2025 New York City Marathon. He is the first runner to win all three U.S.-based Abbott World Marathon Majors and also earned an Olympic marathon medal at the 2024 Paris Games.
“Boston holds a special place in my heart, as I won my first Major there in 2021 and have finished third twice,” Kipruto said. “I look forward to starting my 2026 season and racing a fast group of men in April.”
The international field also features Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands, the 2021 Olympic silver medalist and 2024 New York City Marathon champion, and Ethiopia’s Hailemaryam Kiros, the 2025 Sydney Marathon winner. Ethiopia’s Lemi Berhanu, the 2016 Boston champion, returns on the 10th anniversary of his victory.
Several top finishers from last year’s Boston Marathon are back as well, including Canada’s Rory Linkletter, who finished sixth in 2:07:02, and Lesotho’s Tebello Ramakongoana, who placed eighth. Alex Masai of Kenya, who ran 2:04:37 to finish third at the 2025 Chicago Marathon, will make his Boston debut.
Deep American Contingent Targets the Podium
The American men’s field is led by national record holder Conner Mantz and includes a mix of Olympic experience and proven Boston performers.
Two-time Olympic medalist Galen Rupp returns to Hopkinton, alongside Clayton Young, who represented the U.S. in the marathon at the 2024 Olympic Games and finished 10th in Boston last year. Biya Simbassa, who has run 2:06:53, and Ryan Ford are also among the top U.S. contenders.
Zouhair Talbi, who finished fifth at Boston in 2023 and recently won the Houston Marathon in 2:05:45, returns, as does CJ Albertson, who placed seventh in 2024.
“Running my first Boston Marathon a year ago was memorable, and the crowd support was unmatched spanning the entire route,” Young said. “The anticipation is already building towards Patriots’ Day 2026.”
Several notable Americans will make their Boston debuts, including Olympian Joe Klecker, 2022 NCAA cross country champion Charles Hicks, and Düsseldorf Marathon winner Alex Maier.
A Race Shaped by Depth and Experience
With multiple former Boston champions, Olympic medalists, and a concentration of runners capable of sub-2:07 performances, the men’s race is expected to be aggressive from the early miles in Hopkinton through the Newton Hills and onto Boylston Street.
The Boston Marathon remains one of the most tactically demanding races in the sport, rewarding experience, patience, and strength as much as raw speed. This year’s men’s field brings all three in abundance.
The B.A.A. said media credential applications for the 2026 Boston Marathon will open in February. The full professional men’s field will be updated on the association’s website.
2026 Boston Marathon Men’s Elite Field
MEN’S FIELD COUNTRY PERSONAL BEST Benson Kipruto KEN 2:02:16 (Tokyo, 2024) John Korir KEN 2:02:24 (Valencia, 2025) Cybrian Kotut KEN 2:03:22 (Berlin, 2024) Abdi Nageeye NED 2:04:20 (London, 2025) Lemi Berhanu ETH 2:04:33 (Dubai, 2016) Hailemaryam Kiros ETH 2:04:35 (Sydney, 2025) CR Alex Masai KEN 2:04:37 (Chicago, 2025) Alphonce Felix Simbu TAN 2:04:38 (Valencia, 2024) Mohamed Esa ETH 2:04:39 (Chicago, 2024) Conner Mantz USA 2:04:43 (Chicago, 2025) NR Yohanes Chiappinelli ITA 2:05:24 (Valencia, 2024) NR Benard Biwott KEN 2:05:25 (Paris, 2025) Kennedy Kimutai KEN 2:05:27 (Rotterdam, 2025) Zouhair Talbi MAR/USA 2:05:45 (Houston, 2026) Richard Ringer GER 2:05:46 (Valencia, 2024) Sondre Moen NOR 2:05:48 (Fukuoka, 2017) NR Galen Rupp USA 2:06:07 (Prague, 2018) Akira Akasaki JPN 2:06:15 (Berlin, 2025) Tebello Ramakongoana LES 2:06:18 (Xiamen) NR Andy Buchanan AUS 2:06:22 (Valencia, 2024) AR/NR Gemechu Dida ETH 2:06:45 (Valencia, 2025) Hendrik Pfeiffer GER 2:06:45 (Valencia, 2025) Rory Linkletter CAN 2:06:49 (Chicago, 2025) Biya Simbassa USA 2:06:53 (Valencia, 2024) Clayton Young USA 2:07:04 (Boston, 2025) Tsegay Weldlibanos ERI 2:07:35 (Sacramento, 2024) Patrick Tiernan AUS 2:07:45 (Houston, 2024) Ryan Ford USA 2:08:00 (Boston, 2025) CJ Albertson USA 2:08:17 (Chicago, 2024) Yemane Haileselassie ERI 2:08:25 (Houston, 2025) Alex Maier USA 2:08:33 (Dusseldorf, 2025) Amaury Paquet BEL 2:08:44 (Valencia, 2023) Sam Chelanga* USA 2:08:50 (Chicago, 2023) Daniel Mesfun USA 2:08:51 (Dublin, 2025) Wesley Kiptoo USA 2:08:54 (Boston, 2025) Ben Preisner CAN 2:08:58 (Oita, 2024) Segundo Jami ECU 2:09:05 (Valencia, 2023) NR Turner Wiley USA 2:09:27 (Chandler, 2025) Colin Bennie USA 2:09:38 (Chandler, 2020) Christian Allen USA 2:09:58 (Sacramento, 2025) Charles Hicks USA/GBR 2:09:59 (NYC, 2025) Tiidrek Nurme EST 2:10:02 (Sevilla, 2020) Nick Hauger USA 2:10:18 (Chandler, 2025) Joe Klecker USA 2:10:37 (NYC, 2025) Chris Maxon USA 2:10:55 (Sacramento, 2025) Juan Luis Barrios* MEX 2:10:55 (Tokyo, 2018) Jacob Thomson USA 2:10:56 (Sacramento, 2025) Thijs Nijhuis DEN 2:10:57 (Seville, 2020) Barry Keane IRL 2:11:31 (Chandler, 2025) Jason Weitzel USA 2:11:45 (Sacramento, 2025) Murphy Smith USA 2:11:59 (Sacramento, 2025) Charlie Sweeney USA 2:12:00 (Boston, 2025) Robert Miranda USA 2:12:07 (Sacramento, 2024) Riley Nedrow USA 2:12:47 (Tucson, 2024) Matias Silva CHI 2:12:48 (Seville, 2025) Ryan Johnson USA 2:12:58 (Sacramento, 2025) Martin Olesen DEN 2:13:17 (Valencia, 2025) Ben Olson USA 2:13:25 (Sacramento, 2025) Ryan Eiler USA 2:13:36 (NYC, 2024) Primoz Kobe* SLO 2:13:36 (Siena, 2021) Jack Mastandrea USA 2:14:02 (Sacramento, 2025) Esteban Trujillo* USA 2:14:32 (Sacramento, 2025) Dominic Arce USA
