The Boston Marathon isn’t just about hitting a personal best — it’s an economic powerhouse. Last year, the race pumped $509 million* into Massachusetts, drawing more than 34,000 runners and 500,000 spectators. This year’s race kicks off on April 21, bringing another wave of endurance, excitement, and financial impact to the city.

Marathoning is on the rise, particularly among the Gen Z set, who are helping turn running shoes into a $20 billion industry by 2026. And just like racers relying on water stations to keep going, hydration is big business. Bottled water is flooding the market, and cold beverages now make up 75% of Starbucks' drink sales.

— The Editors 

🏀 Best deal: The Boston Celtics just scored a personal best — selling for $6.1 billion* to a private equity group. That makes it the highest-priced U.S. sports franchise sale ever, edging out the Washington Commanders’ $6.05 billion deal in 2023. The cost for a family to attend a Celtics game? Four tickets are $419.*

🏢 Office bounce back: The office market is making its best comeback yet. Sales of U.S. office buildings jumped 21%* last year as more employees return to in-person work. With office life rebounding, many workers are also looking for ways to cut commuting costs. 

🎓 Best bet for tuition: Getting into Harvard? Tough. Paying for it? Now, a little easier. The Ivy League giant is wiping out tuition for students from families earning less than $200,000* a year. Households making under $100,000 also get coverage for housing, meals, health insurance, and travel. While the acceptance rate remains below 4%,* students who get in and qualify for aid could see college become much more affordable.

🏃 Stay the course: Market swings can make investing feel like a sprint, but history shows that the best results often come from playing the long game. For instance, the S&P 500 index has delivered an average annual total inflation-adjusted return* of 6.5%. Even when markets are volatile, history shows it pays to focus on the basics of financial preparedness and stick to the playbook. Read on The Currency^TM about investing.

Careers in motion

It doesn’t take being an athlete to hit a personal best in the sports industry. At every level of play, coaching and scouting jobs are projected to grow 9%* through 2033, while referees and umpires will see a 10%* increase. With median salaries nearing $46,000 for coaches and $36,000 for officials, the business of sports is creating more opportunities on and off the field.

Best of both worlds

Volkswagen is bringing back buttons, ditching* touchscreens in its new entry-level EV, the 2026 ID 2all. The move is a nod to drivers who prefer the best of both designs: Modern tech with classic, intuitive controls. People considering whether to lease or buy a new car may have one more decision point to factor in.

High score

Millions of brackets* were filled out for March Madness — and the 68 schools involved are seeing millions of dollars flowing, too. Schools that compete in the NCAA Tournament see big payouts* from their conferences the deeper they go into the Big Dance. Spectators paid more than $600* to attend the Final Four last year, and can expect the same (or more) for 2025’s installment.

Interest in fractional ownership is rising as buyers seek the best way to enjoy a vacation home without the full financial commitment. Unlike timeshares, co-owners hold real equity — and some properties have even appreciated nearly 10% on resale. As new platforms simplify co-ownership, the vacation home market is evolving. Read more on The Currency.