It is the oldest marathon in the world and the one that offers the greatest reward to those who compete.
How much does the winner of the Boston Marathon win? Prize money by categories
On April 20, the Boston Marathon takes place an it is among the most prestigious races ine world, as tens of thousands of athletes will gather on the streets of one of the world’s most iconic cities.
Right from the start of the inaugural Boston Marathon in 1897, it has traditionally been held as part of the Patriots Day celebrations.
The Boston Athletic Association (BAA) announced on Monday a new change to the Boston Marathon starting corrals. This year, the April 20 race will have six waves instead of the usual four.
— Runner's World (@runnersworld) March 16, 2026
The organization said there will be fewer athletes in each wave—ranging from 3,200 to 7,100… pic.twitter.com/veq8ucuvRE
And today’s race in Boston is the marathon with the highest prize for the winner.
How much money does the Boston Marathon distribute?
The Boston Marathon is the oldest in the world, first run in 1897 and held continuously since then. In just the last 35 years, more than 20 million dollars in prize money has been awarded at this race. Its prize fund, which reaches up to $1.48 million, is the largest in the world.
Boston Marathon awards
| Position | General | Wheelchair | Masters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | $150,000 | $50,000 | $5,000 |
| 2nd | $75,000 | $30,000 | $2,500 |
| 3rd | $40,000 | $15,000 | $1,500 |
| 4th | $25,000 | $10,000 | |
| 5th | $18,000 | $8,000 | |
| 6th | $13,500 | $5,000 | |
| 7th | $10,500 | $4,000 | |
| 8th | $8,500 | $3,000 | |
| 9th | $7,000 | $2,000 | |
| 10th | $5,500 | $1,500 |
Bonus for marathon record breakers
Additionally, if a record is broken, the Boston Marathon offers an extra bonus of $50,000.
Since 1969, the date of Patriots Day has been fixed as the third Monday in April, and likewise the Boston Marathon followed suit, giving us the double tradition of Boston Marathon and Patriots Day always on a Monday.
The only exception to this was during the coronavirus pandemic when the marathon was postponed, and eventually ran as a virtual experience in September. The following year saw the race return in person, but being held in October 2021.
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