Happy Marathon Monday, Boston! The 2014 Boston Marathon kicks off Monday, April 21, and is poised to be one the largest in many respects. The Boston Athletic Association accommodated an extra 9,000 participants this year; the outpouring of support has been immeasurable; and people will be tuning in from around the world. And while the Boston Marathon is a massive philanthropic event, this year’s grandiosity extends to the prize money earned by the race’s top finishers.
The prize structure for the 2014 Marathon dictates that the first place finishers in the overall open division for both men and women are allotted a pretty $150,000. Second, third and fourth place finishers will also be taking home earnings of $75,000; $40,000; and $25,000, respectively.
The B.A.A.’s primary sponsor, John Hancock Financial Services, has been doling out prize money since 1986. That means participants who have placed 15th or higher (the 15th place finisher takes home $1,500) have been lining their pockets for 28 years. So who’s earned the most career prize money?
For men, Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot of Kenya is top dog when it comes to prize money. A four-time winner of the Marathon, with back-to-back first place finishes in 2007 and 2008 (he also won in 2003 and 2006), Cheruiyot has banked an impressive $469,000. Moses Tanui and Cosmas Ndeti, also native Kenyans, come in second and third with $260,100 and $261,000 apiece.
For women, fellow Kenyan Catherine Nderebra, also a four-time Boston Marathon champion, has taken home $392,000 followed by Germany’s Uta Pippig with $347,000 and Rita Jeptoo, also of Kenya, with $320,000.
For the push rim wheelchair division, the prize structure designates $15,000 for the winner; $6,500 for the second place finisher; and $2,2500 for third place.
South Africa’s Ernst Van Dyck, who has taken first place in the men’s wheelchair division every year from 2001 to 2010 (save for 2007), has a career earning total of $150,000. Franz Nietlispach of Switzerland, who boasts 14 Summer Paralympic Game gold medals, is second overall with $66,500 followed closely by California’s own Jim Knaub with $61,000.
Jean Driscoll has accrued a $177,000 from the Boston Marathon. Hailing from Illinois, she’s won five Summer Paralympic Game gold medals and eight Boston Marathons. Japan’s Wakako Tsuchida has won $103,000 and Australia’s Louise Sauvage has won $64,750.
