By Jaya Goud, News Editor |

On a chilly Patriots’ Day in Boston, over half a million people lined the streets from rural Hopkinton to downtown Boston cheering and waving giant poster boards. The event? Marathon Monday, or the 130th Boston Marathon, during which over 30,000 runners from 120 countries—including members of the Winsor community—took part in a challenging 26.2-mile course weaving through Massachusetts. Along the way, runners passed through eight cities and towns, including iconic locations such as the Wellesley College “Scream Tunnel” and Heartbreak Hill where spectators gathered to offer encouragement to participants throughout the day.  

Qualifying to even partake in the marathon is no easy feat. Runners must either complete another marathon under a certain time or raise a minimum of $5000 for charity. Angie Fang ’26 chose the latter when she decided to run this year. She explains that although she initially “decided to run the marathon because it seemed like the pinnacle of endurance sports at the time,” her motivation ultimately arose from the charity she ran to support: the Brookline Senior Center, an organization that provides a community for senior citizens to socialize and stay active. Fang describes how she “had lots of opportunities to meet seniors” and when she was tired on race day, she “imagined all of them cheering [her] on.” 

These efforts are part of a massive city-wide wave of philanthropy. In total, the 2026 Boston Marathon is expected to have raised more than 50 million dollars towards various charitable causes including nearly 200 nonprofit organizations. The largest charity group was Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, which is located just down the street from Winsor; they aimed to raise 8.75 million dollars for cancer research during the 2026 race. 

For many, the marathon’s impact extends far beyond race day itself. Grace Murphy ’27, who hopes to run in 2027, explained, “The Boston Marathon has been my favorite part of spring forever because it brings so many people together from all over the world. Whether they are incredible athletes or raising funds for an amazing organization, it’s the perfect energy to bring into Boston as we leave the winter season.” To the Boston community, the marathon is more than a simple test of endurance; rather, it is a citywide celebration of resilience, unity, and shared purpose.