Boston, an aristocratic marathon that everyone wants to win

In the spring of 2019, a Kenyan athlete named Evans Chebet walked his quality on the trails of Buenos Aires and he was the winner of the Buenos Aires International Marathon at that time. it has not previously been registered in American territory: 2 hours and 5 minutes. Chebet has become one of the elite marathoners in the world, within the great physical-technical revolution taking place in the racing environment with his level of results and his greatness: by winning the Valencia marathon in end of 2020, Chebet lowered his personal ability to 2 hours and 3 minutes. Last Monday, Chebet registered his name with the champions of one of the most anticipated events in the worldthe Boston Marathon, after defeating his compatriot Lawrence Cherono in a fierce rivalry, who won this race three years ago and also passed through Buenos Aires …

The Boston Marathon is the oldest of all performed in the world, since its first edition was built in 1897, inspired by the restoration of the Olympic Games that took place last year in Athens. One of the many curiosities, throughout its exciting history and its thousands of anecdotes, is that it did not stop in practice (even during the world wars or during the Spanish flu epidemic, a century ago. the past) … except in 2020, when the covid pandemic forced its cancellation. This is just one of 126 editions completed so far that have not been completed. The marathon, which starts in the Hopkinton area until it ends in the city center, one of the oldest in the United States (it was founded in 1630), takes place on the third Monday of each April, when that country celebrates “Patriot’s Day” . , although -according to the creed propagated by its organizers- it is to honor liberation struggles in ancient Greece and in the USA

Boston incorporates the “cream” into the great marathons running around the world today, the so-called “majors”, although it lacks the economic power of others: New York (especially, which has been the end of the run. Boom from 1980s), London, Berlin, Chicago and Tokyo. Nor is the massiveness, as the number of registrants is limited to 30,000, of which approximately 7,000 are foreigners. Precisely because of this restriction, it was very difficult to get a place to run there: Once the registration cycle opens, a year before, they are sold out.

But its prestige is enough to make the marathon “the event” in Boston, where the economic impact of that week for the city This is approximately $ 200 million. Half of that number comes from guest spending, mainly on accommodation, while charity events raise 35 million. Direct race sponsorships are low compared to other sporting events (15 million). The previous movement to the Expo Marathon, which takes place over three days at the Seaport World Tennis Center, is also important: it welcomes 150 exhibitors – we should note that some of the world’s leading sports companies are based in Massachusetts – and receives over 100 thousand visitors. It’s race Monday, almost the entire population of Boston is taking to the streets to encourage the passing of athletes.

While the Boston Marathon prizes for professional athletes – that is, the elite that will occupy the first positions in various categories – have now reached 20 million dollars, of which 150,000 match the fully won by men (the aforementioned Evans Chebet) and women (Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir, also a Kenyan). They gave $ 25,000 to the wheelchair champions and $ 5,000 to the winners in each veteran category, as well as pledging $ 50,000 to the track record-setter, something that was missed this time.

Ang Professional competition in Boston only began in 1986, when John Hancock’s company decided to reward the most famous athletes with cash. Until then, the only prize was an invitation for some foreigners, a trophy for the winners and some medals. So, half a century ago, Argentine athletes who also rose to fame in the Olympic marathon competed in Boston and were ranked in the top ten: Delfo Cabrera, Reinaldo Gorno and Osvaldo Suárez. He finished 5th in the race in 1959 and returned five years later to take 8th place, on a trip assisted primarily by President Illia.

Due to the inequality of the terrain, along with the difficult climbs and some descents, the scores the athletes got in the Boston Marathon now they do not receive their homologation for the ranks. But that doesn’t detract from the attraction, it’s a must every April and a dream goal for the growing community of runners. Of course, behind a story there are many heroes and even tragic aspects, such as the attack committed by two Chechen brothers and assassins in 2013 near the finish line using their homemade bombs: they caused three deaths and 260 injuries, many of them serious.

Boston history remembers other sad names like a runner of Cuban origin, Rosie Ruiz, who was nominated as the surprising winner in 1980 until a few days later his trap was proven: he got into the final sections. A trap that is now, even in leading positions, is impossible with modern control systems.

There are also many heroes and, these days, It’s been half a century since the first women’s competition, another aspect in which Boston also pioneered. In 1967, it was still unthinkable for a woman to run a marathon -42,195 meters- and when a member of the organization discovered one of the participants, Katherine Schweitzer, she tried to push her off the circuit. But Schweitzer ended up. And it marked the time.

His compatriot John A. Kelley is another of the classic names of this event: he started 61 times, finished 58 times, won it twice (1935 and 1945), finished in 18 editions between top 10 and now it has an allusive statueas an encouragement and example for new generations of runners.