The World's Oldest Annual Marathon

Boston hosts the oldest annual marathon in the world, which was born from a spark of inspiration after the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.

While marathons are now global phenomena, Boston pioneered the tradition in 1897 and has held the race every single year since. It famously takes place on Patriots Day, a local holiday in Massachusetts, rather than on a weekend. The course stretches across eight different towns before finishing in the heart of Boston. This iconic event remains a cornerstone of the prestigious World Marathon Majors circuit.