2017 Boston Marathon

Printed from: https://newbostonpost.com/2017/04/18/2017-boston-marathon/

BOSTON — All eyes were on Boston on Monday, April 17 as people around the world tuned in to see the results of the 121st Boston Marathon. As the oldest marathon in the world, completing these 26.2 miles in Boston is a lifetime goal and a proud achievement for most long-distance runners.

The Boston Athletic Association reported that 30,074 runners entered the race this year from 57 U.S. states and territories, and 99 countries of citizenship.

Some runners enter the marathon with the intent to win against others, but many athletes aim to compete against themselves, beating their best times or pushing themselves just to complete it. 

Others have even more motivation that they run for, like Katie Rose from Concord, North Carolina. This was Rose’s 16th marathon and the fourth time she has completed the Boston Marathon specifically. Despite the fact that the race is not a new experience for her, she said this year’s run had an especially important meaning for her.

“I ran it last year with breast cancer,” she said. “And this year I’m cancer-free. So that meant a lot for me to finish. It was an emotional experience.”

She added that the Boston Marathon in particular was a special event.

“Boston’s a great race because the city just embraces all the runners; the atmosphere on the course and all the volunteers are amazing,” she said.

Julia Miller and Jackie Loween, both of Alexandria, Minnesota, are two friends who trained for the marathon together, each with their own special cause behind them.

Miller stated that this was her fourth time completing the Boston Marathon. This year, she wore orange when she ran to honor her daughter’s boyfriend.

“[He] has leukemia,” Miller explained. “I was thinking about and praying about him throughout the race, and thinking about what he has to overcome and the fact that it’s much more than what I did today.”

“For me, this is my qualifying race,” added Loween, who has completed several marathons before but just did the Boston Marathon for the first time. “I did this as an adoption fund-raiser for bringing our son home. He came home four weeks ago.”

Runners crowded into the Public Garden and Boston Common after they finished racing, where many met up with their personal fans and spectators to celebrate their incredible feats. Excited loved ones waved signs for their friends and family members as they entered the garden, as athletes posed for photos, told stories from their time on the course, and made excited calls to other supporters who couldn’t make it into the city Monday.

Race winners were officially awarded Monday evening at Fenway Park. Edna Kiplagat of Kenya placed first for women’s race with a time of 2:21:52. Geoffrey Kirui of Kenya came in first place for the men at 2:09:37, narrowly edging out American runner Galen Rupp who crossed the finish line at 2:09:58. New records were set for both wheelchair races, with Swiss racer Marcel Hug taking home the win for the men at 1:18:04, and Manuela Schar, also of Switzerland, winning for the women with a time of 1:28:17.