Bob Hall, Father of Wheelchair Racing, Dies at 74

The two-time Boston Marathon champion was a pioneer in the sport and helped transform simple wheelchairs into high-performance racing chairs.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 1:05am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, multi-perspective painting in bold, vibrant colors depicting a wheelchair racer in motion, with sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes representing the dynamic nature of the sport.The geometric, cubist-inspired illustration captures the dynamic motion and energy of wheelchair racing, a sport pioneered by the late Bob Hall.Boston Today

Bob Hall, a childhood polio survivor who became known as the father of wheelchair racing after twice winning the Boston Marathon and then going on to build racing chairs for generations of competitors, has died at the age of 74 after a long illness. Hall was a trailblazer in the sport, convincing Boston Marathon organizers to let him compete in 1975 and then returning in 1977 to win the first National Wheelchair Championship held at the event. He later sued to have wheelchair racers admitted into the New York Marathon, a fight that wasn't settled until 2000.

Why it matters

Hall's pioneering efforts helped pave the way for wheelchair racing to become a global sport, with over 1,900 wheelchair racers now competing in the Boston Marathon. His innovative wheelchair designs also transformed the sport, allowing athletes to reach new levels of performance. Hall's legacy continues to impact the lives of wheelchair athletes around the world.

The details

In 1975, Hall convinced Boston Marathon organizers to let him into the race, promising to finish the 26.2-mile distance in under 3 hours. He crossed the line in 2:58, becoming the first wheelchair athlete to complete the Boston Marathon. Hall returned in 1977 when the race hosted the National Wheelchair Championship, winning the event. He later sued to have wheelchair racers admitted into the New York Marathon, a fight that wasn't settled until 2000 when the race created men's and women's wheelchair divisions.

  • In 1975, Hall competed in and completed the Boston Marathon.
  • In 1977, Hall won the National Wheelchair Championship held at the Boston Marathon.
  • In 1978, Hall sued to have wheelchair racers admitted into the New York Marathon.

The players

Bob Hall

A childhood polio survivor who became known as the father of wheelchair racing after twice winning the Boston Marathon and then going on to build racing chairs for generations of competitors.

Tatyana McFadden

A five-time Boston Marathon winner and eight-time Paralympic gold medalist who credits Hall for paving the way for wheelchair racers.

Marcel Hug

A seven-time Boston Marathon winner who learned to race in chairs built by Hall.

Eugene Roberts

A Vietnam War veteran who lost both legs and needed more than six hours to finish the Boston Marathon in 1970.

Bill Rodgers

The 1977 Boston Marathon men's winner who slowed to encourage Hall as he crested Heartbreak Hill.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Bob Hall is an incredible man. I'm so thankful for him. And I think we all are, as wheelchair racers, because he really paved the way.”

— Tatyana McFadden, Five-time Boston Marathon winner and eight-time Paralympic gold medalist

“Because of him crossing that finish line, we're able to race today. And it's evolved so much since then. It was him. It was him being brave and saying, 'I'm going to go out and do this because I believe that we should be able to race Boston Marathon just like everyone else.' So he had the courage to do that.”

— Tatyana McFadden, Five-time Boston Marathon winner and eight-time Paralympic gold medalist

What’s next

The 2023 Boston Marathon on April 20 will include 50 wheelchair racers and 50 others in eight para divisions competing for more than $300,000 in prize money, continuing Hall's legacy.

The takeaway

Bob Hall's pioneering efforts as the 'father of wheelchair racing' transformed the sport and paved the way for generations of athletes to compete at the highest levels, including the Boston Marathon. His courage, innovation, and dedication to inclusion have left an indelible mark on the world of wheelchair athletics.