Boston Marathon 2023 - As It Happens

Post Race:
Men's Race and Commentary
Women's Race and Commentary

Complete Searchable Results

Race Day: As It Happens - Live Coverage (the real-time notes/mile-by-mile)

Pre-Race: Race Preview & Starter Lists | Elite Athlete Past Matchups | Prize Money
Weekend Experience: Pace Calculator/Spectator Guide | Course Experience As a Runner
Extras: Athlete/Course Videos | Artificial Intelligence | Boston Marathon Books
More News: Press Releases | News

The 127th Running of the Boston Marathon (2023) - As It Happens

Refresh this page every few minutes to see the latest updates. We'll have all of the updates for all races on this one page - trying to make it as easy as possible for our readers to see what's happening.

Note, as you read these reports, they will appear in reverse chronological order. Newest updates will be at the top of each section.

The Coverage (below): Men's Race | Women's Race

Overview

For the 20th year, we are on site at the Boston Marathon - in the heart of the action. To cover a race well, you need to be there.

Behind the top three: Albert Korir finishes fourth in 2:08:01, Zouhair Talbi is fourth in 2:08:35 and favorite, Eliud Kipchoge holds on for sixth place in 2:09:23. Scott Fauble finishes as first American and seventh overall for the third time in a row (this year in 2:09:44).

The Finish (2:05:54). Evans Chebet is the winner of the 127th Boston marathon in 2:05:54. Gabriel Geay in a strong sprint, pushes through to finish runner-up in 2:06:04. Benson Kipruto is third in 2:06:06.

40K (1:59:14), one-mile to-go (2:01:04). Evans Chebet is running away - he will be the winner...

Mile 25 (1:59:59). Benson Kipruto moved to the front and is working with training partner Evans Chebet. Gabriel Beay has lost his spirit and is clearly begining to struggle, he will be relegated to third place.

Mile 24 (1:55:03). The race appears to be a two person race between Geay and Chebet. But Benson Kipruto seems to running in stealth-mode on the other side of the course just a few seconds behind and gaining. Eliud Kipchoge has fallen to eighth place 2:20 behind.

Mile 23 (1:50:16). Gabriel Geay has taken the lead, but Evans Chebet is staying with him. These two will be champion and runner-up. Eliud Kipchoge seems to be running well now, but he had lost 1 minute 23 seconds on the leaders so can not even hope to make up that deficit.

Mile 22 (1:45:31). Evans Chebet looks strong to win the race. Only two men are close on his heels: Chebet's training partner, Benson Kipruto and just behind Gabriel Geay. It now seems likely that these three men will finish as top three on the podium. Further back, Kipchoge is struggling to make his way toward the finish line, but will most likely finish out of the top five if he finishes at all.

Mile 21 (1:40:54). Defending Boston champion and reigning New York City Marathon champion, Evans Chebet is pushing the pace and running away. Three men (including Geay, Jon Korir and Benson Kipruto) are just behind. The word has come that Eliud Kipchoge may have dropped out. But then word returned that Kipchoge is back on the course.

Mile 20 (1:35:53). Gabriel Geay began a push immediately into the hills and developed a ten second lead before allowing others to catch him. Four men moved up to Geay in the hilss, but surprisingly, Eliud Kipchoge is falling back by 15 seconds up the hills - is there a problem, or is this a strategy? Most in the press room are sure this is a problem, but time will tell.

30K (1:29:23), Mile 19 (1:31:02). Following this mile, the men will be moving through the Newton Hills. This area and cresting the top of the hills is often where we will expect to see a breakaway and the race break apart.

Mile 17 (1:21:12), Mile 18 (1:26:11). The last miles have been conservative for the abilities of the lead pack of seven.

Mile 16 (1:16:02), Mile 17 (1:21:12) The rain is really pouring down, probably preventing the men from setting a course record. Kipchoge is back in his role as pacesetter and key man.

Mile 14 (1:06:37), Mile 15 (1:11:39). The field is beginning to slim with seven men now in the front led by the two fastest men in the field, Eliud Kipchoge and Gabriel Geay. Americans Conner Mantz and CJ Albertson have fallen back. Zouhair Talbi has also moved back and will be out of contention.

Mile 13 (1:01:47), Half Marathon (1:02:19). The same eleven men remain together.

Mile 11 (52:10), Mile 12 (56:54). Eleven men men continue to run, all keying off Eliud Kipchoge.

Mile 10 (47:18). The men's race continues as it has with Eliud Kipchoge setting the pace with ten men behind. The pace is slowing a bit and it seems that Kipchoge may be adjusting his strategy - saving some energy for the later stages of the race.

Mile 8 (37:39), Mile 9 (42:22), 15K (43:56). Eleven men continue to run at a fast pace. Augustine Choge, who we did not expect to finish top 10 in any case, has dropped back. Conner Mantz and CJ Albertson remain remain the two Americans in the lead pack

Mile 7 (32:45), Mile 8 (37:39). The men have slowed ever so slightly, but still running at a pace toward a 2:03 finish - of course the leaders will speed up toward the end of the race, so we may still see a course record. With the slowing, CJ Albertson has rejoined the lead pack which holds 12 men.

Mile 6 (27:53), 10K (28:52). Kipchoge still continues to seem to set the pace, although Evans Chebet seems jumpy. This section of the course is downhill, so while the pace is very fast, it's achievable by these runners. CJ Albertson has fallen back a bit (smart), leaving Conner Mantz as the sole American in the lead pack (but he's running too fast and we're sure he won't last to the finish).

Mile 5 (23:12). The men continue to run at a pace that will put them across the finish line in a course record time. The men are running abreast - wind will not be a factor today.

Mile 3 (13:49), 5K (14:17), Mile 4 (18:26). The pack has slimmed down to twelve men. Kipchoge continues to lead. In the lead pack are the following runners: Conner Mantz, Eliud Kipchoge, Mark Korir, Benson Kipruto, Albert Korir, Evans Chebet, Andualem Belay, John Korir, Gabriel Geay, CJ Albertson, Augustine Choge and Zouhair Talbi.

Mile 2 (9:14). The field is down to about 15 men. There is, according to weather reports, something of a headwind, but images from the start showed the flags hanging straight down and at this point the men are spread across the field, showing no need to have anyone break wind for others.

Mile 1 (4:37). Approximately 28 men are running in a pack in the front. Eliud Kipchege is front and center also sharing the lead with his training partner, Augustine Choge. Ultimately all runners will be keying off of him. The expectation is that Kipchoge will be going for a course record - or at least seriously planning to win the race. We will be surprised if any serious competitors run ahead of Kipchoge...

The men have started. Nearly 100 men started ahead of all runners - the winner will be in this group - by definition, these are the only men eligible for open awards... Immediately, the field breaks in half - some able to run at the initial pace needed to compete, the remainder local elite runners and others.

The Men's race will begin at 9:37AM EDT. Stay tuned.

Women's Race back to top

The Finish (2:21:38). Hellen Obiri seemed to continue to speed up as she approached the final 800 meters.. And Obiri's efforts were rewarded as she finished first in 2:21:38. Amane Beriso finishes runner-up in 2:21:50, Lonah Salpeter is third in 2:21:57, Ababel Yeshaneh fourth in 2:22:00 and Emma Bates finished fifth and first American in 2:22:10. Hellen Obiri was a late entrant to the race and had to be convinced to run Boston - her second-ever marathon after the 2022 New York City Marathon. We're sure she's quite glad that she decided to run Boston!

Approaching the finish... Hellen Obiri looked to be building a lead - but continually turning behind to see where her one remaining competitor, Amane Beriso was...

One-Mile-to-go (2:22:10). Salpeter looks to be falling back. This seems like a three person race as they continue what looks like a sprint. But way too long for a sprint...

40K (2:14:44). Emma Bates has fallen back a few more steps - seemingly relinquishing any chance of finishing top four, but locking in her fifth place position. At the front, Hellen Obiri is pushing the pace, but unable to drop Salpeter, Beriso or Yeshaneh. The pace seems like a sprint already for the women, with just over a mile to go - they can't all keep this up...

Mile 24 (2:10:19). On the way to mile 24, Ababel Yeshaneh trips and falls to the ground, but she recovers and rejoins the lead pack. Jepkosgei has fallen back out of the top five. Emma Bates is looking to struggle a bit.

Mile 23 (2:05:14). The women's race is down to six runners, with Emma Bates still leading the pack. Still in the lead pack: Emma Bates, Hellen Obiri, Lonah Salpeter, Ababel Yeshaneh, Amane Beriso and Joyciline Jepkosgei.

Mile 22 (1:59:57). Emma Bates continued at the front of the women's lead pack, but was unable to shake any of the other runners. Just before mile 22, all women took fluids and the field spread across the road. As the field regrouped, it was again Bates who took over the lead.

Mile 21 (1:54:49). The pack has dropped to nine - less damage than we would have expected through these hills. Salpeter has regained her leadership position, with Bates on her shoulder.

Mile 20 (1:49:12). All the women are hanging on to the lead pack as they run up the hills. Emma Bates is comfortably leading the pack and setting the pace.

Mile 19 (1:43:45). Emma Bates is setting the pace for the women as they run up the hills.

Mile 18 (1:38:20). Eleven women running in a tight group. Lonah Salpeter is setting the pace as the women will come to the Newton Hills.

Mile 17 (1:32:44). The same eleven women remain in the front. But for the first time, we notice a chase pack of five women just twenty-five seconds behind.

Mile 16 (1:26:59). Not much is changing in the women's race - it has been the same eleven women for the past seven miles - we won't expect anything until the women reach the hills in three more miles.

Mile 15 (1:21:46). The lead women continue to run at an even pace toward a low 2:22 finish.

Mile 14 (1:16:13). The same eleven women are in this race. Emma Bates, for a while is the only women using the tangents on the course - showing she is fresh and thinking...

Mile 13 (1:10:52), Halfway (1:11:29). Eleven women running in a pack...

Mile 12 (1:05:28). The same eleven women continue to run at a strong pace.

Mile 10 (54:41), Mile 11 (1:00:08). Emma Bates has rejoined the front pack. Meanwhile, the rain is beginning to fall hard on the women, but wind does not seem to be a factor.

Mile 9 (49:05), 15K (50:47). The women's race remains at 10 women in the front, with the lead now being shared among a variety of women. The lead pack consists of these women: Amane Beriso, Gotytom Gebreslase, Ababel Yeshaneh, Celestine Chepchirchir, Hellen Obiri, Hiwot Gebremaryam, Nazret Weldu, Joyciline Jepkosgei, Lonah Salpeter, Angela Tanui. Just five seconds behind, American Emma Bates is running in no-man's land but looks strong and relaxed.

Mile 8 (43:56). Amane Beriso continues to push the pace with only nine other women able to hang on....

Mile 7 (38:47). The women's race is separating with Beriso pushing the pace. Seven women are sticking with Beriso, with a second group of four women (including Emma Bates) just a few seconds behind. This is beginning to be a race...

Mile 6 (33:39), 10K (34:46). 27 women remain in the lead pack with the pace beginning to speed. Amane Beriso, the woman with the fastest personal best in the field is setting the pace. In the pack: Lonah Salpeter, Amane Beriso, Ababel Yeshaneh, Celestine Chepchirchir, Gotytom Gebreslase, Emma Bates, Maurine Chepkemoi, Nazret Weldu, Hiwot Gebremaryam, Hellen Obiri, Joyciline Jepkosgei, Angela Tanui, Vibian Chepkirui, Aliphine Tuliamuk, Viola Cheptoo, Nienke Brinkman, Sara Hall, Mary Ngugi, Annie Frisbie, Atsede Baysa, Edna Kiplagat, Laura Thweatt, Nell Rojas, Sara Vaughn, Maegan Krifchin, Desiree Linden and Maggie Montoya.

Mile 4 (22:38), Mile 5 (28:13). The pace for the women has increased as they are now running toward a 2:25 finish. The lead pack seems to still hold about 30 women.

Mile 2 (11:46), Mile 3 (17:14), 5K (17:48). The women are running toward a 2:30 finish pace - that is a moderate pace. Approximately 30 women remain in the lead pack. Emma Bates seems to be setting the pace together with Gotytom Gebreslase.

Mile 1 (6:09). The women are running at a very conservative starting pace... All women are together in the lead pack.

The women have started. All running in a large group together to start the race.

The Women's race will begin at 9:47AM EDT. Stay tuned.

More Boston News:
More Coverage Links:
Coverage Homepage

Post Race:
Men's Race and Commentary
Women's Race and Commentary

Complete Searchable Results

Race Day: As It Happens - Live Coverage (the real-time notes/mile-by-mile)

Pre-Race: Race Preview & Starter Lists | Elite Athlete Past Matchups | Prize Money
Weekend Experience: Pace Calculator/Spectator Guide | Course Experience As a Runner
Extras: Athlete/Course Videos | Artificial Intelligence | Boston Marathon Books
More News: Press Releases | News