89th Boston Marathon Run Today

The Boston Marathon, plagued by controversy and beset by a lack of quality runners, will be held for the 89th time today, with defending champion Geoff Smith of Britain and Lisa Larsen Weidenbach as the favorites.

The entry list which had been short on quality from the outset, because of the sponsor’s refusal to pay prize money, has become even more watered down.

Among the notable dropouts were world-class marathoner Ron Tabb, 1968 winner Amby Burfoot and top women contenders Laura Albers and Jenni Peters.

Many who have skipped the race, including four-time winner Bill Rodgers and 1983 champion Greg Meyer, have been very outspoken about the subject, claiming that the Boston Marathon is not keeping up with the times and if the organizers don’t adjust their thinking the race will become just a fun run.