by Jen Manell ·
Friday, April 24, 2026
Ryan Magnuson waves as he runs his first Boston Marathon. (Photos by Jen Mannel)
Powered by energy gels, determination, and exceptional footwear, six Harvard runners made their way from Hopkinton to Boylston Street during the 130th Boston Marathon, Monday April 20. About 32,000 athletes began the 26.2 mile trek in Hopkinton, then ran through Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Brookline, ultimately crossing the finish line in Boston’s Copley Square. Harvard’s first runner, Spencer Holland, set off at 10 a.m.
Stationed at the foot of a hill near the 16-mile mark, the Press observed Marathon Monday’s festival of colors, sounds, and good vibes, with runners and spectators alike sporting tutus, glitter, and marathon-themed manicures. Three bananas, one pickle, two full business suits, one Prince Eric from “The Little Mermaid,” and numerous unicorns were some of the highlights observed by the Press. Runner Yuki Chorney of New Hampshire ran her 50th lifetime marathon in a costume featuring thousands of hand-applied rhinestones to a bodysuit featuring Boston Athletic Association colors yellow and blue—thousands more rhinestones covered her Saucony shoes and unicorn headpiece.
Early morning temperatures were just slightly above freezing and rose to the 40s by midday, conditions considered ideal by many distance runners. Spectators stayed warm with layered clothing and hot beverages. Expected rain held off to just a few scattered, light sprinkles. Spectators showed their support for competitors with encouraging signs, primal screams, and cowbells.
Harvard runners included Holland, finishing at two hours, 45 minutes, 58 seconds; Samantha Schoenberg (3:10:48); Tom Cavicchi (3:29:50); Ryan Magnuson (3:37:41); Jon Schoenberg (3:41:55); and Anna Laursen (4:09:58).
This was Jon Schoenberg’s 32nd Boston Marathon and a first for his daughter, Sam. She holds a Bromfield school record in high jump set in 2018. Sam said she was inspired by her mom, Jen Schoenberg, who has completed five Ironman Triathlons, and by her marathoning father, to pivot to distance while in college. In 2023, the Philadelphia Marathon became Sam’s first. Regarding training for endurance races, she said, “The more time you dedicate to running, the more you also need to set aside for sleeping, eating, and recovering.” A local source, she said, fueled that training. “Harvard General Store baguettes and focaccia have been staples in my diet leading up to race day.”
Jon Schoenberg started his marathon career when he joined a friend training for the 1988 Marine Corps Marathon. They both qualified for the 1989 Boston Marathon, and Jon has qualified every year since. He said he keeps coming back to Boston because he enjoys the challenge of training over the winter, the history and tradition of the event, getting together with friends, and the support of the volunteers and crowd. “The crowd is my playlist on race day,” he said.
This was Ryan Magnuson’s third marathon, but his first time running Boston. “As strange as it sounds, I’m looking forward to Heartbreak Hill,” he said, referring to the last of four challenging hills on the course. “Once you pass that marker, the race really starts and you know you are past the hardest part of the course.”
In addition to training, Magnuson said he relies on the energy from the crowd and other runners to carry him through the toughest parts of the race. He added, “This race will feel extra special because I’m running in memory of my mom who passed away from brain cancer, that is why I am running for the Dana-Farber team.”
The running community, he said, is a group of “welcoming, encouraging people—especially the people in Harvard, many of whom are faster than me!”
Fivesparks board member Spencer Holland races to the fastest finish for a Harvard resident.
Bromfield Class of 2020’s Sam Schoenberg competes in the Boston Marathon for the first time.
Jon Schoenberg runs the familiar route.