Boston marathon returns to April Monday start; Russian, Belarus residents not allowed in race

The Boston Marathon is being raced Monday on its traditional April start, for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared in March 2020. 

"The comeback is greater than the setback,” race Director Dave McGillivray said about the 126th running of the prestigious  race for runner and wheelchair athlete.

The race was cancelled in 2020 and run in October last year. 

Participant will still be subject to vaccine requirements, but McGillivray described the circumstances related to the race as "a new normal," according to the Associated Press.

The race will have roughly 30,000 participants. But race organizers, the Boston Athletic Association, earlier this month said Russians and Belarusians who were accepted into the 2022 marathon as part of the open registration process and are currently residing in either country will no longer be allowed to compete.

Those who are not residents of either country will be able to compete but not under the flag of either country.

"Like so many around the world, we are horrified and outraged by what we have seen and learned from the reporting in Ukraine,” said BAA President and CEO Tom Grilk.

The race was marred by tragedy in 2013 when two terrorist brothers – Dzhokhar Tsarnaev and Tamerlan Tsarnaev – set off homemade bombs on the course, near the finish line, killing three and injuring hundreds.

This year's race also marks the 50th anniversary of its official women's division.