Cover image showing Eden Rainbow-Cooper receiving her trophy as winner of the women’s 2026 BAA Bank Of America Boston Marathon wheelchair race.
Eden enjoyed another landmark moment in her career winning the women’s wheelchair race for the second time. The British racer crossed the finish line in a personal best 1:30:51, finishing more than two minutes ahead of Switzerland’s Catherine Debrunner. Her performance was the second-fastest winning time in the history of the women’s wheelchair race in Boston and confirmed her status as one of the leading marathon wheelchair racers in the world.
Her first Boston Marathon victory came at the 128th Boston Marathon on 15 April 2024, when she won in 1:35:11. The triumph was historic, making Eden the first British woman ever to win the Boston Marathon women’s wheelchair race. Supported during her career by Get Kids Going! the victory also marked her first Abbott World Marathon Major title and established her among the leading wheelchair racers in the world.
The Boston Marathon 2024, was the race that established her on the world stage. At just 22 years old, she defeated a field that included several established champions and became only the third-youngest woman to win the Boston wheelchair title. The victory was a major breakthrough ahead of her Paralympic debut later that year.
In 2025, Eden returned to Boston as the defending champion. While she did not retain her title, she remained among the world’s elite wheelchair racers and continued to build on the success of her historic 2024 season. Her determination paid off a year later when she returned in 2026 to reclaim the Boston crown and secure her second victory in one of the world’s most prestigious marathons.
Wheelchair Racing Might Not Be What You Think – A Day in the Life with Eden Rainbow-Cooper
Join Eden as she takes us behind the scenes of her training and preparation as one of Britain’s leading wheelchair racers and a Boston Marathon champion.