Boston Marathon Wheelchair Racing Pioneer Bob Hall Dies at 74

Hall was the first officially recognized wheelchair athlete to compete in the Boston Marathon.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 8:10am

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting a wheelchair racer crossing the finish line of the Boston Marathon, with the race's iconic colors of blue, yellow, and red expressed through sharp, overlapping planes.A cubist interpretation of a wheelchair racer's triumphant finish at the Boston Marathon, celebrating the pioneering legacy of Bob Hall.Boston Today

Bob Hall, the first-ever Boston Marathon wheelchair champion and the 2025 marathon grand marshal, has died at the age of 74, the Boston Athletic Association announced. Hall was a Belmont, Massachusetts native who was granted permission to enter the 1975 Boston Marathon, becoming the first officially recognized wheelchair athlete to race the event. He went on to compete in several other Boston Marathons, finishing third in 1978, 1980, and 1981.

Why it matters

Hall's participation in the Boston Marathon in 1975 marked the start of the wheelchair division in the prestigious race. He was a pioneer in wheelchair racing technology and mentored many other wheelchair athletes who went on to compete at the highest levels.

The details

In 1975, Hall was granted permission to enter the Boston Marathon provided he could complete the distance in less than three hours. He finished the race in 2:58:00, signaling the start of the wheelchair division. Hall went on to compete in several other Boston Marathons, finishing third in 1978, 1980, and 1981. He also started a company called Hall's Wheels that focused on wheelchair racing technology. Hall's greatest impact was on the many racers he mentored, including 1993 Boston Marathoner Bob Nichol and two-time Ironman World Champion in the handcycle division, Jason Fowler.

  • Hall was granted permission to enter the 1975 Boston Marathon.
  • Hall finished the 1975 Boston Marathon in 2:58:00.
  • Hall competed in several other Boston Marathons, finishing third in 1978, 1980, and 1981.
  • Hall was the 2025 Boston Marathon grand marshal.
  • Hall passed away on April 13, 2026, just eight days before the 130th Boston Marathon.

The players

Bob Hall

A Belmont, Massachusetts native who was the first officially recognized wheelchair athlete to compete in the Boston Marathon, winning the event in 1975 and finishing third in 1978, 1980, and 1981. He was also a pioneer in wheelchair racing technology and mentored many other wheelchair athletes.

Bob Nichol

A wheelchair racer who was mentored by Bob Hall and competed in the 1993 Boston Marathon.

Jason Fowler

A two-time Ironman World Champion in the handcycle division who was also mentored by Bob Hall.

Boston Athletic Association

The organization that oversees the Boston Marathon and announced Bob Hall's passing.

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What they’re saying

“The moments we at the Boston Athletic Association got to spend with Bob were special. We shared stories, laughs, and lessons — lessons learned on how we can continue to ensure athletes of all abilities have competitive opportunities on the highest stage here in Boston.”

— Boston Athletic Association

What’s next

The 130th Boston Marathon is set to take place on Monday, April 20, 2026, just eight days after Bob Hall's passing.

The takeaway

Bob Hall's pioneering efforts as the first officially recognized wheelchair athlete to compete in the Boston Marathon paved the way for greater inclusion and accessibility in one of the world's most prestigious running events. His mentorship of other wheelchair racers also had a lasting impact on the sport.