MON SIX

Emily Sisson, a two-time Olympian and the American record holder in the marathon, is set to compete in the 2026 Boston Marathon for the first time.Event organizers officially announced in Decemberthat the 34-year old would be in the field when the 130th edition of this race takes place on April 20.

"The Boston Marathon has been a race I’ve looked forward to competing in for many years," Sisson said, according to the race's official website. "I’m ready to take on the challenging course and be part of one of the legendary races in our sport."

Sisson's inclusion means this will be the first Boston Marathon since since 1978 – and only the third time ever – both the men’s and women’s American record holders will start the race. Connor Mantz, a 2024 Olympian who finished fourth in last year's Boston Marathon, is also slated to be in the men's field later this month.

Sisson set the American record at the 2022 Chicago Marathonwhen she finished in a time of 2:18:29.

Here's what else to know about the 2026 Boston Marathon:

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When is the 2026 Boston Marathon?

The 2026 Boston Marathon is scheduled to take place on Monday, April 20 as part of the city's annual Patriots Day festivities.

Boston Marathon start times 2026

• 6 a.m. – Military March

• 9:06 a.m. – Wheelchair Division – Men

• 9:09 a.m. – Wheelchair Division – Women

• 9:30 a.m. – Handcycles & Duo Participants

• 9:37 a.m. – Professional Men

• 9:47 a.m. – Professional Women

• 9:50 a.m. – Para Athletics Division

• 10 a.m. – Wave 1

• 10:15 a.m. – Wave 2

• 10:28 a.m. – Wave 3

• 10:41 a.m. – Wave 4

• 11:01 a.m. – Wave 5

• 11:21 a.m. – Wave 6

2026 Boston Marathon field: Notable runners

Sisson and Jess McClain, who was the top American female runner in last year's Boston Marathon with a seventh-place finish, lead the contenders from the United States. Defending champion Sharon Lokedi of Kenya remains a favorite aftersetting a course record in Boston in 2025.

In addition to Mantz, American Clayton Young also had a top-10 finish at last year's Boston Marathon. They'll be trying to chase down Kenyan John Korir, who won last year's Boston Marathon with the third-fastest time in race history.

Former Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara, former U.S. women's soccer star Kristine Lilly and Chelsea Clinton are among the celebrities entered to run this year in the Boston Marathon,according to race organizers.

How to watch 2026 Boston Marathon

The 130th Boston Marathon is scheduled to be broadcast nationally on ESPN2 beginning at 9 a.m. ET on April 20, with coverage going until 12:30 p.m. There will also be live updates provided on ESPN "Sportscenter" throughout the race. The Boston Marathon can be live streamed through ESPN Unlimited and Fubo.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Boston Marathon 2026 what to know: Emily Sisson finally in race field

NEED TO KNOW

• Hoda Kotb shared support for Guthrie on Instagram with a throwback photo and heartfelt message

• Kotb co-anchored the morning program while Savannah was on leave

Hoda Kotbis showing her love forSavannah Guthrie.

On Monday, April 6,Savannah made her returnto theTodayshow following a two-month absence after her mother, Nancy Guthrie,was abducted from her Tucson, Ariz., homeon Feb. 1.

During Savannah's leave, formerTodayco-host Kotb, 61, stepped in to fill her seat at the anchor desk. Kotb originally exited theTodayshow in January 2025.

On April 6, Kotb was noticeably absent from the show, but she did share her support of her former colleague and friend from afar. She posted a throwback photo of Savannah with her children, Vale, 11, and Charley, 9, onInstagramwith the caption, “With you xoxo.”

During the introduction to the April 6 broadcast, Savannah told co-anchorCraig Melvin, “It's good to be home."

“Yes, it's good to have you back at home,” Melvin told her.

“Well, here we go, ready or not,” Savannah added.

The anchor was dressed in a bright yellow dress, a nod to theyellow ribbons that friends and fans have been wearingin Nancy and Savannah’s honor.

Before her return to the news desk,Savannah sat down with Kotb for an emotional interviewin late March, where she discussed the ongoing investigation into her mother’s disappearance and the painful aftermath.

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While speaking with Kotb about her plan to returntoToday, Savannah admitted it would be a challenge.

"It’s hard to imagine doing it because it’s such a place of joy and lightness and I can’t come back and try to be something that I’m not," Guthrie said of returning toToday. "But I can’t not come back because it’s my family. I think it’s part of my purpose right now. I want to smile. And when I do, it will be real. And my joy will be my protest. My joy will be my answer. And being there is joyful. And when it’s not, I’ll say so. I have been so grateful to have this family. I consider this my family, my greater family, and when times are hard, you want to be with your family. And I want to be with my family."

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

After the interview segment aired on March 27, Kobt announced Savannah's return date while at the news desk alongsideToday's co-hosts. WeathermanAl Rokerwas quick tocomment on the religious significance of April 6and pointed out that it's the Monday after Easter Sunday.

"What’s wonderful, it’s almost symbolic after Easter and the resurrection, the rising, I think as a family we’ll hold hands and help her," Roker reflected.

Melvinmarveled at the connection, saying, "Yes, yes, I had no thought about that. Yes."

"Of course you did, Mr. Roker," Kotb said, whileJenna Bush Hager, who attends the same church as Savannah added, "And [Savannah] had too, you know."

Anyone with information about Nancy's disappearance is asked to please contact 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or the Pima County Sheriff’s Department 520-351-4900.

Read the original article onPeople

Stawell Gift US Sprinters

In the 144th edition of the event, Richardson provided one of its most breathtaking finales as she started at scratch and caught the field at the 90-meter mark before pulling away for an astonishing win in 13.15 seconds.

"Just make sure I'm patient that first 10-meters like my coach today told me, and just executing the rest," Richardson told Seven Network television post race. "I think I realized I was gonna win right past 90."

The 26-year-old American, one of the fastest women of all time, is just the third woman to win the race from scratch and claimed a prize of 40,000 Australian dollars ($27,500).

Richardson won a silver medal in the 100 meters in the 2024 Paris Olympics, and gold in the 4x100 relay that same year. She also claimed the 100-meter title at the 2023 World Championships.

After a near calamity in the semifinals earlier Monday, where Richardson rose too soon and was almost pipped on the line, the American made no errors in the final, chasing down the field early and running through the line powerfully.

She celebrated with fans before embracing boyfriend and former world champion Christian Coleman, who was the marquee name of the men's draw. She and Coleman remain in a relationship despite adomestic violence chargeagainst Richardson last July.

"This is one of the most exciting, fun, and entertaining track meets I've ever ran in, not even just that, but the love, the true love and support for track and field, unbeatable," she said.

Coleman misses men's final

Former 100-meter World Champion, Coleman failed to qualify for the men's final after finishing sixth in his semifinal earlier Monday with 12.48 seconds. Only the winners of the six semifinals for both the men's and women's division qualified for the respective finals.

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Both Richardson and Coleman raced from "scratch" meaning they were required to run the entire distance and chase down opponents, which proved too much of a gulf to bridge for Coleman, despite him closing the gap appreciably in the latter stages of his heat.

"Yeah, it is what it is, but I mean, I gave it everything I got, like you said, they're great athletes, so when you're giving up that much of a margin, I mean, it's pretty tough," Coleman said to Seven Network television.

Australian Olufemi Komolafe won the men's Stawell Gift ahead of Jake Ireland and Dutchman Liam van der Schaaf.

Semifinal scare for Sha'Carri

Earlier Monday, Richardson powered through the field to win her semifinal by just 0.007 seconds after she leaned back at the finish allowing local Halle Martin to almost steal the race in a photo finish.

"I feel like I am having a great time, but also working on race pattern, me and my coach Dennis Mitchell staying calm, executing, and running through the line," Richardson said after the semifinal.

In Saturday's heats, Richardson, who gave away 10 meters to her closest competitor at the start, won her heat in 13.815 seconds Saturday and Coleman his in 12.681.

There are more than 700 competitors in the Stawell race, including many of Australia's top runners, in the event held about 235 kilometers (145 miles) west of Melbourne.

It has not been disclosed whether Richardson or Coleman have been paid appearance money to take part in the race. Last year Australian media reported that top Australian sprinterGout Goutwas paid 50,000 Australian dollars (35,000) to run at Stawell, where he was eliminated in the semifinals.

AP sports:https://apnews.com/hub/sports

Rockets Warriors Basketball

Curry missed a long, straightaway 3-pointer in the final seconds.

Gary Payton II scored the go-ahead basket on a goaltend by Amen Thompson with 20 seconds left, but Durant took charge on the other end. He finished with 31 points, eight rebounds and eight assists against his former team, making a crucial 3-pointer with 2:10 remaining.

But he missed with 38 seconds left, and Draymond Green found a cutting Payton in the key.

Curry dazzled down the stretch to score 29 points on 11-for-21 shooting in 26 minutes after missing 27 straight games because of a right knee injury — his first action since Jan. 30 against Detroit.

Curry's driving layup made it a one-point game with 1:27 left then Sengun converted a three-point play moments later only for Curry to hit a 3 on the other end.

Curry entered to a warm standing ovationand greetings on the big screen — he also expressed his gratitude on video — when he entered with 4:54 left in the opening quarter. It marked the first time he has come off the bench in a regular-season game since March 7, 2012, against Memphis. He last was a reserve in Game 4 of the first round of the 2022 playoffs during the Warriors' last championship run.

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Things briefly got heated midway through the second quarter when Green and Jabari Smith Jr. exchanged words and had to be separated. Smith wound up with 23 points and nine rebounds while Sengun added 24 points and Thompson 18 and seven assists.

Curry andyounger brother Sethplayed together for the first time when Stephen re-entered the game at the 6:19 mark of the second quarter, the first time two brothers have been together in Warriors franchise history, according to Elias.

Seth Curry appeared in six preseason games for Golden State in 2013 then played for the team's G League Santa Cruz Warriors that year — with the brothers playing all of 100 seconds together during the fourth quarter of two games during that '13 preseason.

Up next

Rockets: Visit the Suns on Tuesday night.

Warriors: Host the Kings on Tuesday night.

AP NBA:https://apnews.com/NBA

Despite the news, Doncic and the Lakers are hopeful that he can be ready in time for a postseason run.

Doncic suffered a Grade 2 left hamstring strain in the Lakers'lossto theOklahoma City Thunderon April 2.

The point guard has since consulted with Lakers doctors and his own medical team about seeking specialized treatment in Europe for his hamstring,Doncic's agent Bill Duffy told ESPN.

MORE:Luka Doncic injury could cost him MVP shot. His agent plans to fight.

Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets' Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.

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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents

What is a Grade 2 hamstring strain?

A Grade 2 hamstring strain is a "moderate injury that is typically a partial tear in the muscle; patients are likely to limp when walking and will have occasional twinges of pain during activity," according toMercy Health.

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The injury could take close to a month to heal, but "returning to sports before the injury is fully healed can cause more severe injuries."

Injury-riddled Lakers lose to Mavericks

Playing without Doncic and Austin Reaves —who has an oblique injury— the Lakers were defeated by the Dallas Mavericks,134-128, on April 5.

LeBron James finished with a team-high 30 points as the Lakers continue to march toward the postseason without the services of two of their key contributors.

The Mavericks were led by rookie Cooper Flagg,who scored 45 points in Dallas' victory.

Reaves' injury is expected to keep him sidelined for four to six weeks.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Lakers' Luka Doncic going to Europe for specialized medical treatment

Saturday Night Live (SNL)got fresh fodder to mock as President Donald Trump recently firedPam BondiandKristi Noem. Instead of its usual Trump-led cold open, the April 4 episode went in a different direction. SNL used a sports parody to speak about the headlines.

Pam Bondi and Kristi Noem mocked in SNL cold open

The cold open on SNL was framed as an NCAA Final Four post-game show. Kenan Thompson, playing NBA legend Charles Barkley, wentoff-script to comment on current events. That includedthe firing ofPam Bondi as attorney general. "As attorney general, Pam Bondi was, and I don't say this often, terrible," Thompson's Barkley quipped. "It is a shame when somebody gets fired, but we should all be glad that that freckle-chested dragon lady is gone," he added.

Ashley Padilla then appeared as Bondi, making a dramatic rebuttal filled with exaggerated humor. "The truth is, I was amazing at my job, and I am proud to say I made history as the first woman ever to be fired as attorney general," she said. "I shattered that glass exit door!" Then the character quickly broke down, adding, "They threw my headshot in the trash like it was the Epstein files!" This was a reference to one of the most politically sensitive scandals during Bondi's 14-month tenure.

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Donald Trump announced Bondi's removal on Truth Social, stating she would "transition" to the private sector. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trump's former criminal defense lawyer, was named acting attorney general.

The sketch also briefly mocked former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, whom Trump fired on March 5. Thompson's Barkley referenced an unverified Daily Mail report about Noem's husband, joking that he "looks like he's starring in 'Big Momma's House 4.'" Noem's firing followed a dispute reportedly over a $220 million Homeland Security advertising campaign that prominently featured her. Her tenure had already been marred due to immigration enforcement policies and public backlash.

Originally reported by Devanshi Basu forMandatory.

The postSNL Mocks Pam Bondi & Kristi Noem Getting Fired in Cold Openappeared first onReality Tea.

Russia Ukraine War Rescuing Bats

As each one takes flight, snapping through the air, more than 1,000 spectators cheer and applaud — families, off-duty soldiers, and bat enthusiasts, a few dressed in Goth outfits.

Hundreds of bats, many rescued from war-torn areas in the east of the country, were released late Saturday at one of multiple events around Ukraine planned to coincide with the arrival of spring.

"This is important for us as an organization because these are on a red list of endangered animals. Preserving them is very important," said Anastasiia Vovk, a volunteer at the Ukrainian Bat Rehabilitation Center, which organized the release.

All 28 bat species in Ukraine are listed as protected animals due to declining populations.

For many attendees, the event offered welcome relief and an excuse for a family outing after aharsh wintermarked by subzero temperatures, nightly Russian drone and missile attacks and crippling power cuts.

Late Saturday, children, many wearing bat-themed T-shirts and hats, watched as volunteers fed the animals mealworms with tweezers before letting them go. Some were allowed to wear gloves and handle the bats themselves.

"Life goes on despite the war," said Oleksii Beliaiev, a 54-year-old Kyiv resident who attended with his family. "The war is the main thing right now, but there has to be something else as well."

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Beliaiev runs a small printing business and spends time volunteering for army projects.

The war hasdisplaced animalsas well as people. Buildings destroyed by shelling damage bats' shelters, and explosions terrify the tiny mammals, experts say.

"In winter, bats hibernate, and if they are disturbed, they can die. They reproduce slowly — one or two offspring per year — so populations recover very slowly," said Alona Shulenko, who headed Saturday's release.

"As natural hibernation sites disappear, bats move into cities, into cracks in buildings and balconies. But repairs or destruction of these places can kill entire colonies," she said.

All Ukrainian bat species are insect-eating and legally protected, while the country lies on an important east European migratory route.

The charity says it has rescued more than 30,000 in total, including 4,000 bats last winter.

"We are all living in wartime, and everyone has their own struggles," Shulenko said. "But we are doing what we know best. … If we stop what we are doing, thousands of bats will die."

Associated Press writers Volodymyr Yurchuk and Dan Bashakov contributed to this report.