Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection

• Clarence DeMar - The all-time winningest Boston Marathon open division champion is DeMar, who earned seven titles between 1911 and 1930. His final win came at the age of 41.
• Ellison Brown - The two-time Boston Marathon champion and Narragansett runner played a significant part in race history, as his winning move in 1936 helped coin the name Heartbreak Hill. Brown is won the 1939 race in a then-course record of 2:28:51.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection

• John A. Kelley - One of the most recognizable Boston Marathon legends, Johnny "The Elder" Kelley was a 58-time finisher and two-time champion. A Young at Heart statue stands at Heartbreak Hill in honor of Kelley.
• Original Ashland Start - From 1897 through 1923, the Boston Marathon course began in the town of Ashland -- not Hopkinton. 
• Stylianos Kyriakides - In 1946, Kyriakides ran to raise money and awareness for his home country of Greece, which had been ravaged by war. Upon winning and gaining the support of many spectators, he became recognized as the first fundraising runner in race history. 

Photo Credit (L-R): Jeff Johnson, Jeff Johnson, Rick Levy

• Roberta "Bobbi" Gibb - Jumping from the bushes in Hopkinton, Gibb became the first woman to complete the Boston Marathon in 1966 at a time when women weren't yet allowed to run the race. Her effort served as a pioneering moment for women runners. 
• Patti Catalano Dillon - Catalano Dillon was a star on the road racing scene, setting records in the marathon and half marathon. One of the most legendary Indigenous runners, she was a three-time runner-up in Boston and recorded a then-American record of 2:27:51 in 1981.
• Sara Mae Berman - A three-time Boston Marathon champion (1969-1971) during the pioneer era, Berman celebrates the 50th anniversary of her '71 title this year. She resides in Cambridge.

Photo Credit (L-R): FayFoto, PhotoRun, Peter Travers

• Ibrahim Hussein - From Kenya, Hussein became the first African to win the Boston Marathon in 1988 and quickly established a Kenyan dominance thanks to his three victories. 
• Jean Driscoll - The all-time women's leader in Boston Marathon titles, Driscoll was the most prominent wheelchair competitor throughout the 1990s en route to earning a record eight wins.
• Joan Benoit Samuelson - A New England native, Benoit Samuelson won both the 1979 and 1983 Boston Marathons. In 1984 she became the first person to win both Boston and an Olympic Marathon gold medal.

Photo Credit (L-R): PhotoRun, Jeff Johnson, PhotoRun

• Meb Keflezighi - Running to the chants of "USA! USA!" Keflezighi triumphantly crossed the line first in 2014. Epitomizing the Boston Strong mentality, he became the first American male to win the open division since 1983.
• Kathrine Switzer - In 1967, Switzer became a running pioneer and icon as she became the first woman to complete the Boston Marathon while sporting a bib number. 
• Rick & Dick Hoyt - Team Hoyt quickly became Boston Marathon icons and fan-favorites from Hopkinton to Boston. Together the father and son team completed more than 30 Boston Marathons.

Photo Credit (L-R): Jeff Johnson, PhotoRun, PhotoRun

Photo Credit (L-R): PhotoRun, Rick Levy, PhotoRun

• Ernst van Dyk - The all-time leader in Boston Marathon wins is van Dyk, having won ten titles between 2001 and 2014. He'll race his 21st Boston this year.
• Heartbreak Hill - Located in Newton, one of the most iconic and challenging locations on the Boston Marathon course is Heartbreak Hill. The grueling inclines have played a determining factor in many races. 
• Fatuma Roba - A three-time Boston Marathon winner, Roba was the first female champion from Africa (1997) and started Ethiopia's string of success in Boston.