You can learn a lot about the indomitable nature of the human spirit by training for and tackling a marathon. Why it matters: It's a tremendous physical feat. But standing at the finish line — watching thousands of people arrive after 26.

In a moment that has quickly gone viral, a marathon runner lost what seemed like a certain victory after celebrating too early, only to be overtaken in the final seconds by a rival who refused to give up.

The 2026 Boston Marathon was held on Monday, crowning several repeat winners and seeing many people fulfill a lifelong goal. Here are the highlights.

A marathon runner had what appeared to be a guaranteed win taken from him when he celebrated too early and another runner surged ahead at the last second.