Event of the Day: Boston Marathon

Our event of the day is the 2018 Boston Marathon. The race is the world’s oldest annual marathon and is one of the six World Marathon Majors. In the elite men’s race, the favourite is 2017 champion and World Marathon Champion Geoffrey Kirui of Kenya. Galen Rupp of the USA, who was runner up last year, is also tipped to be in the mix for the win whilst other threats come from Wilson Chebet of Kenya and former two-time winner Lelisa Desisa. In the elite women’s race Edna Kiplagat, a three-time World Major Marathon series winner, returns to defend her crown from last year.

Home favourites for the win will be Deena Kastor, the US record holder in the marathon with 2:19:36 and Shalane Flanagan who runs what could be her last Boston Marathon. Flanagan won the New York Marathon for her first major marathon title in November last year. In last year’s race 27,222 runners started in what is a notoriously strong field, with each runner having met a strict qualifying time to enter. With up to 500,000 spectators lining the route, the race is one of the biggest sporting events in the world.

Honourable mentions around the globe go to the NBA where the Philadelphia 76ers meet the Miami Heat in the second game of their playoff series in Philadelphia. The 76ers started well as they ran out comfortable victors in the first game at the Wells Fargo Center, winning by 130-103. Elsewhere in the NBA playoffs, the Golden State Warriors play the San Antonio Spurs. It’s playoff time in the NHL as well, with the Toronto Maple Leafs up against the Boston Bruins, the New Jersey Devils play the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Colorado Avalanche take on the Nashville Predators and the San Jose Sharks face the Anaheim Ducks. In Major League Baseball, the Boston Red Socks face the Baltimore Orioles. In cricket’s County Championship Division One opening round matches, it’s the fourth day of Lancashire’s match against Nottinghamshire at Old Trafford. The IPL sees the Kolkata Knight Riders play the Delhi Daredevils. In the Premier League, West Ham United host Stoke City, the Bundesliga has a match between Mainz and SC Freiberg and in the Primeira Liga, Rio Ave play Tondela. It’s day two of the Monte-Carlo Masters as the start of the tennis clay season continues.

Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!

Fixture

Photos by Boston Marathon