The magazine in an exclusive article in its online version disclosed that the Jamaican superstar sprinter has been hired to run as a “rabbit”, pacing the leaders through mile 15 of the race, in Wellesley, before stepping off the course.

“(Bolt) is a stand-up guy,” said one race official, who requested anonymity because the Bolt announcement hadn’t yet been made public.

“We fully expect he’ll do the right thing: Run at the front for 15 miles, then step aside and give some of the slower guys a shot at winning.”

The Boston Marathon is an annual marathon sporting event hosted by the city of Boston on Patriots’ Day in the United States, the third Monday of April.

Begun in 1897 and inspired by the success of the first modern-day marathon competition in the 1896 Summer Olympics, the Boston Marathon is the World’s second oldest annual marathon.

It ranks as one of the World’s most well-known road racing events. It is one of five members of the World Marathon Majors.