By Lauren HollandUpdated November 2026
The first Boston Marathon was held in 1897, on April 19. The race was organized by the Boston Athletic Association and followed a route that started in Ashland, Massachusetts, and finished in Boston. Fifteen runners lined up that spring, and John J. McDermott won the inaugural event.
If you are searching for what year was the first Boston Marathon, the short answer is 1897. The longer answer involves a little history about how the race came to be, why its course looked different than it does today, and how it grew into one of the most recognized races in the world.
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Why the Boston Marathon Started in 1897
The 1896 Summer Olympics in Athens revived the marathon as a modern sporting event. The race was inspired by the legend of the Greek messenger Pheidippides and drew attention across the Atlantic. Several members of the Boston Athletic Association had watched the Olympic marathon closely, and the enthusiasm carried back home.
Within a year, the association had put together its own long-distance road race. The timing was practical as well as symbolic. Patriots’ Day, held in April to commemorate the start of the American Revolution at Lexington and Concord, gave the event a natural date and a built-in holiday crowd. That tradition still shapes the race calendar today.
Factors That Shaped the First Race
The first race was very different from the event runners know now. A few details help explain the early history:
- The distance was not yet standardized. The 1897 course covered roughly 24.5 miles, close to the 25-mile distance used at the time. The official 26.2-mile marathon distance was not fixed until the 1908 London Olympics.
- The start was in Ashland, not Hopkinton. Hopkinton became the starting town in 1924, after the route was adjusted. Ashland was chosen for the first race because it offered the right length and a manageable course.
- The field was small. Only fifteen runners started, and most of the spectators were local residents who followed the course on foot, by bicycle, or by carriage.
- Conditions were rough. Roads were mostly dirt or cobblestone, and there were no official aid stations of the kind runners expect today.
What the Early Race Tells Us
The 1897 race was built on the ambition of a small group of athletes and organizers who wanted to bring the Olympic marathon to their own city. The results were modest by modern standards, but the event proved durable. Over the next several decades the course was lengthened, the start moved, and the race grew into an annual tradition.
Understanding this background makes the modern race easier to appreciate. Runners who line up in Hopkinton today are following a route that has been refined over more than a century.
Practical Tips for Learning More About Marathon History
- Check the Boston Athletic Association’s official historical records for race results and course details by year.
- Compare the 1897 distance with the current 26.2-mile standard to see how the marathon distance evolved.
- Read race reports from different decades to understand how conditions, equipment, and training changed.
- If you plan to visit Boston for the race, arrive early for the bib pickup and learn the course route ahead of time.
Related questions
Who won the first Boston Marathon?
John J. McDermott, an American runner, won the first race in 1897. You can read more in When Was the First Boston Marathon? The 1897 Race Explained.
Was a woman allowed to run the early Boston Marathon?
Women were not officially permitted in the race for many years. Bobbi Gibb ran unofficially in 1966, and Roberta Gibb’s story is covered in First Woman to Run Boston Marathon 1966: Who Was She and What Happened?.
How fast was the first Boston Marathon?
Results from the early decades were recorded differently than they are now, and the course length was not the modern standard. For context on early marathon speeds, see How Fast Was the First Marathon? The 490 BC Story and Modern Times.
What is the first marathon ever run?
The marathon as a race traces back to the legend of Pheidippides and the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC. The modern marathon began with the 1896 Athens Olympics. More detail is available in When Was the First Marathon? The 490 BC Story and Key Dates.
Does the Boston Marathon still start in Hopkinton?
Yes. The race has started in Hopkinton since 1924, and the finish remains in Boston’s Back Bay area.
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About Lauren Holland
Lauren Holland is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our marathon & half-marathon guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.
