Boston Marathon begins with wheelchair racers leading field of more than 26,000 runners

They’re off: Wheelchair racers start in Boston

BOSTON — The Boston Marathon has started.

A field of 30 men’s and women’s wheelchair racers left Hopkinton on Monday morning for the 26.2 mile trip to Boston’s Back Bay. South African Ernst Van Dyk is looking for his ninth win in the men’s wheelchair race — a record for any competitor in any division.

More than 26,000 runners were lining up for a 10 a.m. start. New York City Marathon winner Meb Keflezighi and fellow American Ryan Hall are hoping to give the United States its first men’s win since 1983.

Defending champions Deriba Merga of Ethiopia and Salina Kosgei of Kenya are back, hoping to repeat.