The glory and heartbreak of the Boston Marathon lends itself to some pretty dramatic photos, from epic finishes to inspiring tenacity and a healthy dose of comic relief.
Tens of thousands of athletes made the annual pilgrimage from Hopkinton Monday, turning right on Hereford and left on Boylston to cross one of the most storied finish lines in all of marathoning.
Here are 26 of the best photos embodying the spirit of the 2025 Boston Marathon.
Women’s winner Sharon Lokedi celebrates with her mother, Rose, after crossing the finish line during the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 21, 2025. – Jessica Rinaldi/Boston Globe Staff
Mark Buttner was dressed as “Where’s Waldo?” as he departed the Athletes’ Village and headed for the start of the Boston Marathon in Hopkinton on Monday, April 21, 2025. – Craig F. Walker/Boston Globe Staff
John Korir of Kenya celebrates after winning the 129th Boston Marathon Men’s division on April 21, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. – Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
Des Linden (R) is greeted by teammates after crossing the finish line during the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 21, 2025. Linden, a 2018 Boston Marathon champion, announced Monday’s race would be her last professional marathon. – Jessica Rinaldi/Boston Globe Staff
Teresa Wojtasiewicz, dressed as Princess Leia from “Star Wars,” crosses the finish line during the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 21, 2025. – Jessica Rinaldi/Boston Globe Staff
Uta, 4, looks for her dad with mom Hitomi Aoki and brother Shun, 2, at the top of Heartbreak Hill during the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 21, 2025. – Danielle Parhizkaran/Boston Globe Staff
Members of the Boston Police Department helped a runner cross the finish line during the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 21, 2025. – Jessica Rinaldi/Boston Globe Staff
An athlete ran dressed as a banana during the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 21, 2025. – Suzanne Kreiter/Boston Globe Staff
Augusto De Almeida (L) held the hand of a small child as he crossed the finish line during the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 21, 2025. – Jessica Rinaldi/Boston Globe Staff
Women’s wheelchair winner Susannah Scaroni places her hand over her heart as the national anthem plays at the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 21, 2025. – Jessica Rinaldi/Boston Globe Staff
Members of the military who marched the entire race route high five fans as they cross the finish line during the 129th Boston Marathon on April 21, 2025, in Boston, Massachusetts. – Joseph Prezioso / AFP via Getty Images
Garrett Hill kisses the ground after crossing the finish line during the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 21, 2025. – Jessica Rinaldi/Boston Globe Staff
Runners react as they cross the finish line during the 2025 Boston Marathon. – Joseph Prezioso / AFP via Getty Images
Catherine Debrunner of Switzerland competes in the Women’s Wheelchair division on Heartbreak Hill during the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 21, 2025. – Danielle Parhizkaran/Boston Globe Staff
Runners rest while waiting to start the Boston Marathon at the Athletes’ Village in Hopkinton, MA on Monday, April 21, 2025. – Craig F. Walker/Boston Globe Staff
Samantha Hanson (L) is greeted by a friend as she crosses the finish line during the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 21, 2025. – Jessica Rinaldi/Boston Globe Staff
A runner dressed as a leprechaun crosses the finish line during the 129th Boston Marathon. – Joseph Prezioso / AFP via Getty Images
Alphonce Felix Simbu of Tanzania finishes in second place next to Cybrian Kotut of Kenya in third during the running of the 129th Boston Marathon on April 21, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. – Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
Stephanie Recupero joins friends encouraging runners departing Athletes’ Village and heading for the start of the Boston Marathon in Hopkinton, MA on Monday, April 21, 2025. – Craig F. Walker/Boston Globe Staff
Michael Birkel (left) pushed his father Jeffrey 26.2 miles, completing the Boston Marathon in 4:03.38. Matt (right), ran beside them in 3:33.10, catching up so that the Birkel family could cross the finish line at the same time. – Cam Kerry/Boston Globe Staff
A runner takes advantage of a water stop on Heartbreak Hill during the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 21, 2025. – Danielle Parhizkaran/Boston Globe Staff
Marcel Hug crosses the finish line to win the men’s wheelchair division during the 129th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 21, 2025. – Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe
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