AS THIS CRISIS CONTINUES TO UNFOLD IN THE MIDDLE EAST. BREAKING TONIGHT WE’VE LEARNED BOSTON MARATHON LEGEND BOB HALL HAS DIED JUST LAST YEAR. HALL SERVED AS THE MARATHON’S GRAND MARSHAL ALONGSIDE BILL ROGERS. HALL IS SITTING IN THIS VIDEO. HE MADE HISTORY HERE IN BOSTON AS THE FIRST WHEELCHAIR CHAMPION IN THE RACE’S HISTORY. HALL COMPLETED THE RACE IN 1975, OPENING THE DOOR FOR THE FIRST WHEELCHAIR DIVISION IN THE NATION. HE THEN WON IN 1977, THE B.A.A. SHARING A STATEMENT SAYING, QUOTE, 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.
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Boston Marathon wheelchair racing pioneer Bob Hall dies at 74, BAA says
The first-ever Boston Marathon wheelchair champion and the 2025 marathon grand marshal, Bob Hall, has died at 74, the Boston Athletic Association announced Sunday.Hall, a Belmont, Massachusetts, native, was the first officially recognized wheelchair athlete to race the Boston Marathon. Hall was granted permission to enter the 1975 race, provided he covered the distance in less than three hours. Hall finished in 2:58:00, signaling the start of the wheelchair division in the race.Hall went on to compete in several other Boston Marathons, finishing third in 1978, 1980 and 1981.Hall was also a pioneer in racing wheelchair technology, starting a company called Hall’s Wheels. But perhaps his greatest impact was on the many racers that he mentored, including 1993 Boston Marathoner Bob Nichol and two-time Ironman World Champion in the handcycle division, Jason Fowler. Video below: Remembering those we lost in 2026″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,” the BAA said in a statement on Hall’s death. “Bob will remain in our hearts, and we extend our condolences to his many friends, family, and the wheelchair racing family which he was a part of.”Hall’s death comes just eight days before the 130th Boston Marathon, set to take place on Monday, April 20.
The first-ever Boston Marathon wheelchair champion and the 2025 marathon grand marshal, Bob Hall, has died at 74, the Boston Athletic Association announced Sunday.
Hall, a Belmont, Massachusetts, native, was the first officially recognized wheelchair athlete to race the Boston Marathon. Hall was granted permission to enter the 1975 race, provided he covered the distance in less than three hours. Hall finished in 2:58:00, signaling the start of the wheelchair division in the race.
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Hall went on to compete in several other Boston Marathons, finishing third in 1978, 1980 and 1981.
Hall was also a pioneer in racing wheelchair technology, starting a company called Hall’s Wheels. But perhaps his greatest impact was on the many racers that he mentored, including 1993 Boston Marathoner Bob Nichol and two-time Ironman World Champion in the handcycle division, Jason Fowler.
Video below: Remembering those we lost in 2026
“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,” the BAA said in a statement on Hall’s death. “Bob will remain in our hearts, and we extend our condolences to his many friends, family, and the wheelchair racing family which he was a part of.”
Hall’s death comes just eight days before the 130th Boston Marathon, set to take place on Monday, April 20.
