Today Beantown is celebrating Patriot’s Day and the 118th annual Boston Marathon. A reported 36,000 runners are participating in the prestigious road race -- the second largest to date -- many of whom were unable to finish last year because of the bombings.
And importantly, for the first time in decades, an American has won gold:
For the first time since 1983 an American man has won the Boston Marathon! Congratulations Meb Keflezighi!
— Boston Marathon (@bostonmarathon) April 21, 2014
His official time was 2:08:37, which reportedly gives him the second fastest time ever recorded by a male from the United States:
Looks like the Boston Athletic Association will need to update it's Top 10 rankings. Meb Keflezighi's time of 2:08:37 is official!
— Boston Marathon (@bostonmarathon) April 21, 2014
It’s fitting that one year after the marathon prematurely ended when two bombs exploded near the finish line, killing three and injuring hundreds, the race would not only go on as planned, but an American would win it. Even still, winning awards and smashing records is not entirely what the race is about, although that's certainly part of it. I’ve attended the Boston Marathon in years past (after all, I’m from the Boston area) and can personally attest that Marathon Monday is above all a day of celebration and solidarity. That’s especially true this year.
Congratulations to all the runners, participants, and spectators who proved once again that good will always triumph over evil. May your day continue to be fun-filled and joyful.