2026 Boston Marathon Preview: Top 5 Stories, Dark Horse Picks & Bold Predictions | The Running Story

The 130th Boston Marathon is days away and Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth are breaking down the 5 biggest storylines you need to know before race day on Patriots Day, Monday April 20th.

From a historic men's showdown between past champion Benson Kipruto and defending champion John Korir, to the question of whether anyone can dethrone the dominant defending women's champion, to a jaw-dropping marathon debutant with a theoretical 2:01 equivalent — this is your essential guide to Boston 2026.

They also dig into the American men's and women's fields (including the absence of Conner Mantz, the rise of Zha Alby, and why Fiona O'Keefe might be the biggest story of the day), before laying out their bold winner picks for both races.

🎽 IN THIS EPISODE:
► Kipruto vs. Korir: Who wins the men's race?
► Can the defending women's champion go back-to-back without her fiercest rival?
► Conner Mantz DNS — who steps up as top American man?
► Emily Sisson, Fiona O'Keefe & a stacked American women's field
► Dark horse alert: Nicholas Kipkorir makes his marathon debut in Boston
► Michael & Jessy's bold race winner predictions
► Marathon Handbook's full Boston coverage plans: live events, shakeout run & watch-along

Chapters:
0:00 Intro: Previewing the 130th Boston Marathon
1:30 Story 1: Kipruto vs. Korir – The Men's Main Event
7:00 Story 2: Can Anyone Beat the Defending Women's Champion?
11:07 Story 3: Top American Men – Manz DNS, Who Steps Up?
18:00 Story 4: Emily Sisson, Fiona O'Keefe & the American Women's Field
24:00 Story 5: Dark Horse – Nicholas Kipkorir's Marathon Debut
28:30 Bold Predictions: Men's & Women's Race Winner Picks
33:38 Marathon Handbook's Boston Coverage: Live Events & Watch-Along