写真

This photo was taken at the bottom of my street in Newton, MA, right at Mile 19 of the marathon. It was taken just before noon on Monday. An incredible number of people both run in and watch this event. In Boston, it is the start of good weather for everyone, and is a state holiday (though not because of the Marathon; rather, because April 19 marks the Battle of Lexington and Concord that more or less began the US Revolution).

You can see the huge number of people streaming down off the small hill in the background; most of them probably know that what awaits them right after mile 19 is a long (about 1.5 mile) uphill. Along with the runners there are also a large number of spectators, some of whom live nearby, others of whom drive long distances to be here and participate. I have often wondered what it must be like to run in this race and to hear, for 26 miles, applause and "Let's go, you can do it".

I watched with my wife, my son Andrew and his wife, and my daughter Katherine and her husband. The past two years, he has run the marathon; we are thankful that he decided not to this year; his finishing times have been right around 5 hours in the past.

This event will go on; the organizers have said so, and I've heard that runners from around the world have already asked to be part of the race next year. I'm sure the crowds will be even larger. But the race will never be the same; there will always be remembering, both of the victims and of the events, that nagging fear; the increased security that I'm sure will be present cannot help but make it less enjoyable, carefree, and optimistic.

Roger