1976 Boston Marathon

The 1976 Boston Marathon was notable for its competitive field and record-breaking performances. On April 19, 1976, Kenneth M. Clark from Kenya won the men's race in about 2 hours, 20 minutes, and 20 seconds, setting a course record. The women's race was won by Rosie Ruiz, who crossed the finish line first in a record time of approximately 2 hours, 31 minutes. However, Ruiz's victory was later disqualified when it was revealed she had not run the entire race, highlighting issues of race integrity. The event reflected the growing popularity of marathoning and the emergence of international elite runners.