More than 500,000 runners have finished the legendary Boston Marathon since its first race in 1897. There has been substantial growth in the number of finishers since the turn of the century. With the exception of 1996 and 2014, the race is now averaging roughly 26,500 runner, wheelchair, and disability finishers. In 2017:
- 30,000 entrants
- 2,800 registered runners, or 9.3% of entrants, did not race
- 27,200 Starters
- 800 athletes, or 2.9% of Starters, did not finish
- 26,400 runner, wheelchair, disability athletes finished (26,365 Runners)
