The Boston Marathon Quiz

Estimated Completion Time
3 min
The Boston Marathon Quiz
Image: Jared Wickerham/Staff/Getty Images

About This Quiz

Of the handful of ultra-prestigious marathons around the world, the Boston Marathon definitely lands at the top of the list. Every competitive runner longs to be awarded a medal emblazoned with a unicorn, the event's official symbol, but many are turned away each year if they lack the incredible run times necessary to land a coveted number. Indeed, you can't just run any old 5K and expect to get into the Boston Marathon. Entrants have to submit results certified by one of the big governing bodies for the sport, with many qualifying thanks to times achieved at marathons in Chicago, New York City and Philadelphia, as well as the previous year's Boston event. Other marathons also count, as long as the race meets the 26.2 mile criteria.

The Boston Marathon was inspired right into existence by the first modern Olympic Games, held in 1896. The term "marathon” was used to honor the roughly 25-mile run of a soldier all the way from a battlefield to the town of Marathon, Greece. Legend has it that Pheidippides hauled all that way to let the Athenians know that the Persians had been defeated, but then collapsed and died. Sadly, the modern Boston Marathon was rocked by tragedy in 2013 when a pair of brothers planted bombs near the finish line, killing three and injuring hundreds more. The Marathon refused to fall victim to the terrorist attack, however, and has continued every year since with as much or more spirit and pride than ever before.

If you want to gorge on Boston's legendary lobster and clam chowder, first you have to earn it. How much do you know about the prestigious Boston Marathon? Take this quiz and prove if you have what it takes to go the distance!

What year was the Boston Marathon first held?
1897
1912
1946
In 1897, what was the winner's finishing time?
2 hours and 55 minutes
3 hours and 12 minutes
3 hours and 18 minutes
What was the distance of the first Boston Marathon?
24.8 miles (39.9 kilometers)
26.2 miles
26.9 miles

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In what year was the race lengthened to the Olympic standard of 26.2 miles?
1924
1910
1908
What year did a woman first run the Boston Marathon?
1948
1966
1981
On average, how many people participate in the marathon each year?
about 20,000
about 30,000
about 40,000

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In what year did the race's winner first break the two hours, 30 minutes mark?
1921
1908
1901
What happened to Kathrine Switzer, who ran the race in 1967 in spite of the official ban on women participants?
A race official tried to physically stop her.
She was mobbed by autograph seekers.
No one noticed because 20 other women were running, too.
How did Jock Semple ultimately respond to women who wanted to run the race?
He threatened to cancel the race.
He resigned his position in opposition.
He became a huge supporter.

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True or false: The Boston Marathon is New England's biggest spectator athletic event.
true
false
What nationality was the man who first broke the two hours, 15 minutes mark at the marathon?
Kenyan
Ethiopian
Finnish
In what year did an African first win the event?
1972
1988
2000

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Since 1991, how many non-Africans have won the Boston Marathon?
two
five
seven
What is the course record?
2:04:19
2:04:33
2:03:02
What was Mutai's per-mile pace at the 2011 Boston Marathon?
4 minutes 41 seconds
5 minutes 2 seconds
5 minutes 8 seconds

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American Meb Keflezighi won the race in 2014. He was the first American to win the race since what year?
2002
1997
1983
What's the median finishing time for the marathon?
3 hours and 44 minutes
4 hours and 2 minutes
4 hours and 8 minutes
How many Finnish men have won the race?
one
four
seven

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What's the nickname for the segment of the course that passes by Wellesley College?
Horror Street
Scream Tunnel
Heartbreak Hill
How many feet does Heartbreak Hill rise?
88 feet (27 meters)
129 feet
209 feet
How many runners have died as they attempted to run the Boston Marathon?
13
eight
three

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How many Russians have won the race?
zero
four
eight
What's the minimum age for participants?
16 years old
17 years old
18 years old
What other Boston sporting event always takes place on marathon day?
Red Sox baseball game
Celtics basketball game
Patriots football game

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What's the record time set by a wheelchair participant?
one hour and 40 minutes
one hour and 32 minutes
one hour and 18 minutes
Bobbi Gibb was the first woman to finish the race. How long did it take her to cross the finish line?
three hours and 50 minutes
four hours and two minutes
three hours and 21 minutes
How do race organizers respond to "bandits," unofficial runners who jump into the race without registering?
not much
pull them off the course
ban them for life

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How many times did John A. Kelley finish the Boston Marathon?
32
41
58
How many times did John A. Kelley finish second at the marathon?
four
five
seven
As of 2019, what's the qualifying time for men who want to run the race (age 18-34)?
three hours and five minutes
two hours and 55 minutes
three hours and 10 minutes

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