Since the beginning of the world’s oldest marathon, it has always been held of Patriots Day. We look at the history of the Boston Marathon
Why is the Boston Marathon held on a Monday? The story behind Patriots Day
Right from the start of the inaugural Boston Marathon in 1897, it has traditionally been held as part of the Patriots Day celebrations.
What is Patriots Day, you ask. Patriots Day is a holiday recognized only in the states of Massachusetts and Maine, observed on April 19, to commemorate the battles of Lexington, Concord, and Menotomy which began the American Revolution.
Additionally, Wisconsin, Connecticut, and North Dakota also recognize the holiday in some capacity.
READ ALSO: Boston Marathon route and closed roads
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
READ ALSO: Boston Marathon record holders
Why is the Boston Marathon held on a Monday? The story behind Patriots Day
The date of April 19th was chosen as it is the actual date of the battles in 1775, and up until 1968 the race was always held on that date, unless it fell on a Sunday.
Since 1969, however, 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.
Now back on track, the Boston Marathon returns to its traditional home of Patriots Day.
Related stories
Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.
Complete your personal details to comment