Bob Hall's influence resonates deeply within the world of athletics and inclusion. In 1974 as a senior at Boston State College, Hall won the National Wheelchair Mile, held at Washington State College in Cheeney Washinton, breaking the previous record by 7 seconds, and winning by 8. He was coached by legendary Boston State track and field coach Billy Squires. Â
He made history by becoming the first officially recognized wheelchair athlete to complete the Boston Marathon in 1975, finishing in 2 hours 58 minutes, which paved the way for formal wheelchair divisions worldwide. He smashed his own Boston course record in 1977 with a time of 2 hours 40 minutes 10 seconds—a world record at the time. Hall also founded Hall's Wheels in 1978, designing lightweight custom racing wheelchairs, innovations that revolutionized wheelchair racing.Â
In August 2025 Falmouth Road Race, Inc., in celebration of 50 years of wheelchair racing in Falmouth, announced the Bob Hall Legacy Award. This is a $2,500 annual award that will be given to an athlete who submits a request for assistance with adaptive equipment to either begin in sports or continue competingÂ
Hall was honored as Grand Marshal for the 2025 Boston Marathon, celebrating the 50th anniversary of his pioneering race, and received the Rick and Dick Hoyt Award from the Boston Athletic Association for demonstrating extraordinary courage and inclusion. Â
