Athletes Prepare for 130th Boston Marathon in April

The 130th Boston Marathon is coming soon. On Patriots' Day, Monday, April 20, tens of thousands of runners will participate in one of the sport's marquee events.

According to the Boston Athletic Association, more than 24,000 of the 33,000 applicants were accepted into this year's marathon, highlighting the intense competitiveness and the enduring appeal of the annual event. Participants hail from all 50 states, plus Washington, D.C., U.S. territories, and more than 120 countries, underscoring the marathon's global reach.

Runners who embark on the 26.2-mile race from Hopkinton to Boylston Street are racing for a wide range of motivations, from personal milestones to charitable causes.

Keep up-to-date on all the latest Boston Marathon news on the Boston Athletic Association's website.