Five Runners with Wild Stories Taking on the Boston Marathon in 2026

The Boston Marathon isn't just about fast times and elite runners. Some of this year's participants are bringing personal missions that go far beyond the finish line. Take Chelsea Clinton, for example. The former First Daughter isn't just running for fun—she's been preparing for years, proving that political families can have athletic talent too. Then there's Zdeno Chara, the towering hockey legend making his third attempt. After spending most of his career on skates, he suddenly switched to marathon running and now dreams of adding Boston to his ever-growing list of athletic achievements. But the stories get even more interesting. Sunita Williams, a retired astronaut, first ran Boston as a teenager. She later completed it while floating in space during her mission—unofficially, of course. Now, years later, she's back to officially cross that same finish line on foot. Meanwhile, Chris Herren, once a rising basketball star whose career derailed due to addiction, is running to support recovery programs. His journey from addiction to advocacy shows how running can become more than just exercise—it can be a second chance at life.Among the celebrities is Matt DaRosa, a musician from Dropkick Murphys who turned to running as a form of meditation after getting sober. His goal? To beat Oprah's marathon time, because why not? Then there's Troy Hoyt, continuing his family's legacy after his grandfather and uncle, Dick and Rick Hoyt, became legends by running Boston for decades—Dick pushing Rick in a wheelchair after a severe cerebral palsy diagnosis. Today, Troy carries on their message of perseverance, proving that running can be a powerful way to honor family and challenge perceptions of what people with disabilities can achieve.