BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Marathon had about the same number of no-shows as last year, dispelling concerns that international runners would skip the race in the face of increased U.S. border scrutiny.
A total of 28,928 runners started the 129th edition of the marathon on Monday, from a field of 31,778 entrants. That leaves 2,850 who registered but did not cross the starting line in Hopkinton, or less than 9%.
In last year’s field, there were 2,838 who failed to start.
To earn a Boston Marathon bib number, most runners need to submit a qualifying time from another 26.2-mile race. Though many treat it as a lifetime goal not to be abandoned lightly, no-shows can occur for reasons ranging from injury to the 2010 Icelandic volcano eruption that shut down flights and prevented hundreds of European runners from traveling to the U.S.
Although the race was full, with entries from 128 countries, scattered reports indicated that some foreign runners might stay away for political reasons or fears of border hassles.
International visits to the U.S. have plummeted, with Canadians among those avoiding U.S. travel in response to President Donald Trump's tariff talk and threats of annexing the country as a 51st state.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said last week that everyone should feel welcome.
“Regardless of what’s happening at other levels, and particularly now at the federal level, in Boston we welcome everyone,” Wu said Friday at a public safety media briefing not far from the finish line. “We seek to be a home for everyone.”
AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports
Sharon Lokedi, of Kenya, dons a wreath by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu after winning the women's division of the Boston Marathon, Monday, April 21, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Runner Matthew Nawn crawls to cross the finish line during the Boston Marathon, Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Runners approach the finish line during the Boston Marathon, Monday, April 21, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Andrei Svechnikov scored the go-ahead goal with just under two minutes left and the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Washington Capitals 3-1 in Game 5 on Thursday night, winning the second-round series and advancing to the Eastern Conference final for a second time in three years.
Captain Jordan Staal got his first goal of the playoffs, and Frederik Andersen stopped 18 of the 19 shots he faced, including several on Alex Ovechkin.
After a give and go with defenseman Sean Walker, Svechnikov’s shot got through Logan Thompson from a bad angle with 1:59 remaining, and that was the difference in a game that was back and forth.
Seth Jarvis sealed it with an empty-net goal with 26.1 seconds remaining.
The Hurricanes improved to 10-5 in potential close-out games in seven trips to the postseason with coach Rod Brind’Amour. They will face either Florida in a rematch of the 2023 East final or Toronto in a reminder of 2002, and the Panthers are up 3-2 with the chance to eliminate the Maple Leafs as soon as Friday night.
Carolina is 35-7-2 through 82 games and then two rounds when scoring first.
Despite an unassisted goal by Anthony Beauvillier and some important saves among the 18 from Thompson, the Capitals saw their season end after finishing atop the conference and the Metropolitan Division and beating Montreal in the first round to win a playoff series for the first time since their Stanley Cup run in 2018. Washington started strong, got a few quality scoring chances but could not get through tight-checking defense to prolong the series.
After giving up the back-breaker to Svechnikov, Thompson was pulled for an extra attacker and the Capitals were unable to equalize and let Jarvis get to the loose puck for the empty-netter.
Carolina would have home-ice advantage against Florida and open on the road if it’s Toronto.
AP NHL playoffs: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Carolina Hurricanes center Seth Jarvis (24) celebrates his empty net goal with right wing Andrei Svechnikov (37) in the third period of Game 5 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series against the Washington Capitals Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Carolina Hurricanes right wing Andrei Svechnikov (37) celebrates his goal with defenseman Sean Walker (26) and others in the third period of Game 5 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series against the Washington Capitals Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Carolina Hurricanes right wing Andrei Svechnikov (37) celebrates his goal as he skates to the bench in the third period of Game 5 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series against the Washington Capitals Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Carolina Hurricanes right wing Andrei Svechnikov (37) celebrates his goal with defenseman Sean Walker (26) in the third period of Game 5 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series against the Washington Capitals Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) skates with the puck in the first period of Game 5 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal (11) celebrates his goal with teammates in the first period of Game 5 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series as Washington Capitals defenseman Jakob Chychrun (6) skates by Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Carolina Hurricanes left wing William Carrier (28) tries to get the puck past Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson (48) and defenseman Matt Roy (3) in the second period of Game 5 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Carolina Hurricanes left wing William Carrier (28) skates with the puck against Washington Capitals defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk (57) in the second period of Game 5 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (4) shoots the puck in the second period of Game 5 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series against the Washington Capitals Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
