The 127th Boston Marathon got off to a wet but clean start in Hopkinton on Monday morning, with some 30,000 athletes taking part.
Evans Chebet repeated as men’s champion, pulling away in the final mile to win in a time of 2 hours, 5 minutes, 54 seconds. He was followed by fellow Kenyans Gabriel Geay (2:06:04) and Benson Kipruto (2:06:06).
On the women’s side, Kenyan Hellen Obiri, in only her second marathon, captured the title in 2:21:38. Ethiopian Amane Beriso was 12 seconds back and Israeli-Kenyan Lonah Salpeter was another seven seconds behind in third.
In the wheelchair race, Marcel Hug won the men’s division in 1:17:06, and Susannah Scaroni won the women’s division in 1:41:45.
![Boston Marathon](https://hopkintonindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_0608-1024x575.jpeg)
Volunteers line up in front of Hopkinton Middle School. PHOTO/JERRY SPAR
![Boston Marathon](https://hopkintonindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_0611-1024x578.jpeg)
The Athletes Village sits on the field behind Hopkinton Middle School. PHOTO/JERRY SPAR
![Boston Marathon](https://hopkintonindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_0614-1024x768.jpeg)
Runners stay dry in a tent at the Athletes Village. PHOTO/JERRY SPAR
![Boston Marathon](https://hopkintonindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_0624-1024x611.jpeg)
A runner gets a picture in front of the famous It All Starts Here sign at the Athletes Village. PHOTO/JERRY SPAR
![Boston Marathon](https://hopkintonindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_0637-1024x768.jpeg)
A runner heads to an open portable toilet at the Athletes Village. PHOTO/JERRY SPAR
![Boston Marathon](https://hopkintonindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_0654-1024x587.jpeg)
An individual takes a photo while others run laps around the baseball field behind Hopkinton Middle School. PHOTO/JERRY SPAR
![Boston Marathon](https://hopkintonindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_0685-1024x629.jpeg)
A sign warns of no parking on Price Street. PHOTO/JERRY SPAR
![Boston Marathon](https://hopkintonindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_0686-1024x597.jpeg)
Handcycle athletes leave their staging area at St. John the Evangelist Church and head to the start line. PHOTO/JERRY SPAR
![Boston Marathon](https://hopkintonindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_0689-1024x612.jpeg)
Individuals head down Hayden Rowe Street toward the start line. PHOTO/JERRY SPAR
![Boston Marathon](https://hopkintonindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_0690-1024x606.jpeg)
Duo participants head toward the start line. PHOTO/JERRY SPAR
![Boston Marathon](https://hopkintonindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_0697-1024x596.jpeg)
Spectators line the course along East Main Street. PHOTO/JERRY SPAR
![Boston Marathon](https://hopkintonindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_0710-1024x588.jpg)
Handcycle and duo athletes head out at the start of their race. PHOTO/JERRY SPAR
![Boston Marathon](https://hopkintonindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_0719-1024x539.jpeg)
The professional men start their race. PHOTO/JERRY SPAR
![Boston Marathon](https://hopkintonindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_0725-1024x618.jpeg)
The professional men head down East Main Street. PHOTO/JERRY SPAR
![Boston Marathon](https://hopkintonindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_0746-1024x673.jpeg)
The professional women’s runners start their race to Boston. PHOTO/JERRY SPAR
![Boston Marathon](https://hopkintonindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_0748-1024x606.jpeg)
Runners head down Grove Street to the start line. PHOTO/JERRY SPAR
![Boston Marathon](https://hopkintonindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_5195-919x1024.jpg)
Start line announcer Jacques LeDuc stands on the podium. PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO
![Boston Marathon](https://hopkintonindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_5216-1024x614.jpg)
Volunteers surround Red Sox legend David Ortiz, the race’s grand marshal. PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO
![Boston Marathon](https://hopkintonindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_5292-1024x916.jpg)
Ashley Windheuser, who is running to raise funds for the Hopkinton Education, smiles before starting the race. PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO
![Boston Marathon](https://hopkintonindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_5283-1024x606.jpg)
Volunteers stand at the start line. PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO
![Boston Marathon](https://hopkintonindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_5251-1024x537.jpg)
Handcyclists prepare to start the race. PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO
![Boston Marathon](https://hopkintonindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_5232-768x1024.jpg)
Police Chief Joseph Bennett surveys the scene. PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO
![Boston Marathon](https://hopkintonindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_5229-1015x1024.jpg)
Hopkinton’s Scott Mackin enjoys the view from the VIP section. PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO
![Boston Marathon](https://hopkintonindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_5223-1024x880.jpg)
David Ortiz poses for a photo. PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO
![Boston Marathon](https://hopkintonindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/image_6483441-4-1024x536.jpg)
Runners pound the wet pavement on East Main Street. PHOTO/KIP GERENDA
![Boston Marathon](https://hopkintonindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/image_6483441-3-1024x768.jpg)
Constanza Gerenda watches the runners go by. PHOTO/KIP GERENDA
![Boston Marathon](https://hopkintonindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/image_6483441-768x1024.jpg)
Constanza Gerenda, dressed in a princess outfit, gets a high five from Boston Marathon runner Bruna Takata, in a Snow White costume, on East Main Street. PHOTO/KIP GERENDA
![Boston Marathon](https://hopkintonindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/image_6483441-2-1024x772.jpg)
Runners make their way down East Main Street. PHOTO/KIP GERENDA
![Boston Marathon](https://hopkintonindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/image1-1024x553.jpeg)
Volunteers walk up an otherwise deserted Main Street after the athletes departed. PHOTO/QIMEI RAN
![Boston Marathon](https://hopkintonindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/image2-1024x768.jpeg)
Volunteers sort water at the Athletes Village. PHOTO/QIMEI RAN
![Boston Marathon](https://hopkintonindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/image3-893x1024.jpeg)
Volunteer Qimei Ran shows off a hat made out of a water bottle bag. PHOTO/QIMEI RAN
![Boston Marathon](https://hopkintonindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/image0-1024x534.jpeg)
Volunteers pick up discarded clothing on Main Street. PHOTO/QIMEI RAN
Why was most of the Town Common and the Ash Street corner lawn closed to the public? Disappointing changes that left nowhere on the south side of Main Street for the public to watch marathoners cross the start line.
The Boston Marathon Start Line redesign was discussed at the 2/28/23 Select Board meeting. You can read the meeting packet for more information from the BAA or listen to the discussion on the meeting video.
https://ehop.org/2023/03/select-board-actions-taken-02-28-23/
Amy: Thanks for the info. Between the issues the other commenter notes and the lack of a reason to go to the common over the weekend, I think a meeting is in order after TM to discuss the town’s desires around the marathon. Marathon weekend has been a time to celebrate, and for townspeople to gather as community as winter ends. That feeling was a bit lacking this year in particular, and that’s not just my opinion but was expressed by lots of others as well. We need to make sure Hopkinton continues to benefit from the marathon, not financially but more importantly as the community where it all starts.
I could not agree more with Anonymous and Peter LaGoy. Having lived within walking distance of the start line for the past 25+ years, this year’s disregard for the townspeople of Hopkinton was an embarrassment. My children are grown, but I have some great Patriot’s Day memories on the Common buying cowbells and fried dough! For young families new to Hopkinton, all they know is the miniscule viewing area afforded to the public at this year’s race. I did notice yesterday; however, as I was standing in the shadow of a grandiose V.I.P. viewing area that portion of the design wasn’t reduced at all to accommodate the runners’ tents. In fact, I think it’s much larger than the one year my daughter was “Police Chief for the Day” and my family was fortunate enough to sit there. Hopkinton doesn’t work for the B.A.A. nor should the town be beholden to every request they may make of our town for race day.