April 21, 2014 - A big "Thank You" to Boston for delivering the world’s greatest marathon.

Mikayla Rose

So many people have written such beautiful words to describe what we all felt in Boston on Patriots Day this year. I expected all the emotion of 2013 to come flooding back on the road from Hopkinton. But it wasn’t until the morning after, while reading messages of love and support from friends and strangers, that I was overwhelmed by it all. The tears at the breakfast table made my newspaper soggy.

I feel so privileged to have shared in the triumph and joy of this proud city on this historic day when Boston reclaimed her marathon.

This day started for me the moment I stepped onto Back Bay station 12 months earlier. I was amazed, way back then, at how powerful this marathon is in uniting people. We were all there to run or to cheer or to help; delighted by the thrill of being included in something quite rare and wonderful. It was intoxicating.

April 15, 2013 - From the (happy) beginning through the (horrible) ending

Kristen Labarca

As I sit down to share my experience at the 2013 Boston Marathon, I'm still not sure where to begin or where to end. Do I focus only on what happened after 2:50pm on Monday and those who were injured and killed? Do I talk about the hundreds of heroes that rushed into harm's way to help? Do I recount all the good memories that were made in the days leading up to the marathon? Is it disrespectful to share the details of my race? If I don't talk about the race, does that let the terrorists "win" in some small way?

After sorting through all my emotions and feelings again and again, I still don't know which is the "right" thing to do. So I'm going to do the only thing I really know how to do -- share my Boston experience from the (happy) beginning through the (horrible) ending.

2013 - "I had no cell phone, no I.D., no money, no hotel room key. However, I did have my lipstick."

Roan Johnson

First of all, I want to explain how I even got to run the Boston Marathon in the first place.

If you know anything about the sport of long distance running world, you probably know the Boston Marathon is the big race. This year was the 117th Boston Marathon. Elite runners from around the world compete in this marathon, and about 20,000 qualified runners make up the majority of the field. A Boston Qualified runner is one who has run a certified marathon course below a certain time based on gender and age. And it is tough to qualify! Currently for my age group (40-45), a female runner must run under a 3:45 marathon to qualify. That's never gonna happen for me! At age 45 (in 14 months) my qualifying time will be 3:55. Possibly doable---with lots of work---a goal I have set for myself. My husband Jimmy has missed his current qualifying time by just four minutes. Anyway...

2013 - A Runner's Story of 26.13 Miles

Ginger Cross

Of course, if you asked, I could have told you hundreds of ways I thought my story would play out, but never did I imagine an ending as tragic as this. As we all know, this day that was supposed to be of joy and celebration became a day where running a marathon was of no importance. However, my story still needs to start from the beginning to understand how quickly the day changed from running towards the finish line, to running for my life...

My name is Ginger and I live in Arizona. I am a wife, mother, amateur athlete and freelance designer.

Two years ago I never would have believed you if you told me I was going to run the Boston Marathon. I was a cyclist and triathlete, but not “a runner.” And even when I did run, I was not very fast.

2013 - "It took 38 marathons: five years and four months for my Boston dream to become reality"

Michelle Walker,
"Mom o' 6"

Do you have a bucket list? Do you have goals to check off? For five and a half years, my big dream was to qualify for the Boston Marathon. The Boston Marathon is the mecca for many long distance runners. The race has a rich history. Having to qualify with a time from a previous marathon creates an exclusive environment. This race is the big badge of honor in the marathon world. The exclusive entry is coveted by most long distance runners. When I ran my very first marathon in Phoenix, Arizona, I thought this would be an easy goal to check off. I knew with the proper training, I could accomplish this goal.

As I stepped up to the starting line of the 2007 PF Chang’s RnR Marathon, I was very hopeful I could qualify. I had never run a marathon before, but I have always been a hard worker. I knew I had put in the proper training to earn a spot at the starting line. Thanks to the encouragement from one of my fellow travelers, I was even confident I could achieve my Boston Marathon time goal.

2013 - "I thought my friends were asking me if I was OK because everyone knew I was running injured"

Beth Allen

I ran my first Boston Marathon in 2011, my second Boston in the record breaking heat of 2012, and my third Boston Marathon in 2013, the year that Boston would not be broken by terrorism.

Training for Boston 2013 was different from other years in that I truly didn’t train hard. I had a severe case of plantar fasciitis: even up until the day of the race, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to run 26.2 miles. 

Most runners I know will attempt Boston with any injury because, well, because it’s Boston. The medal alone is coveted by all serious runners. I figured even if I dragged myself across the finish line, injured foot and all, I’d get the medal.

2013 - I never had to fight off any negative emotions. They just didn't stand a chance.

Michelle San Antonio

I usually can't wait to write a race recap, and my recap of Boston was of course going to be no exception. But circumstances have obviously changed.

Despite the emotional turmoil, though, I do want to get these thoughts down, because as time passes, I will forget some of the details - and I don't want to forget them.

I don't want to forget all the awesome and uplifting moments of the day, because that's what Boston is really all about.

Yes, in some ways it feels wrong to be recounting the good stuff when so many are hurting - and will continue to hurt for days and months and years. And I am in no way discounting that, or forgetting it.

2013 - "It's not the feeling you want to have when you've run 26 miles in Boston"

Jane Clair Shettles

Putting my 2013 Boston experience on paper is a very difficult thing for me to do, but I am going to give it my best shot! Getting to run the Boston Marathon was one of the most exciting, yet scariest times of my life. It was an amazing opportunity, and I am already looking forward to being there again next year. However, the bombing was definitely the unfortunate part of my Boston experience.

Running the Boston marathon was a long-standing dream for me. Having learned how the process worked, I knew getting entered could be difficult, a bit complicated, and stressful! Little did I know my qualifying would be the least nerve-racking part of the whole adventure! I met my qualifying standard in December 2011 in Baton Rouge. My friend and fellow runner Misty Thompson was likewise wanting to run in Boston, and we hoped we could make the trip together. So, in March, we ran together in the Andrew Jackson Marathon in Jackson, Tennessee, which was Misty’s qualifying race.

2013 - “God protected us that day. He sent out his army of angels all over the city of Boston.”

Sandy Lynch

I had finished the race and returned to the finish line to wait for my friend Tim and others to finish. I was standing alongside the race workers who were putting medals around the runners’ necks as they crossed the line. It was such a joyous occasion to see the look of accomplishment on the faces of the runners as they crossed the finish line, some holding their hands high above their heads praising God, some with tears in their eyes, all of them feeling victorious.

Then, the first bomb went off. The sound and feeling of tremor from the explosion was unlike anything I've heard or felt before. No one understood what was happening at first, but the initial confusion was soon replaced with sheer panic. Some runners continued to run toward the finish line, not understanding what was happening.

Just a few seconds later, a second explosion occurred. Crowds of people started running and screaming. The race workers dropped the medals and tables were overturned as the mass of people franticly tried to disperse. It was an eerie feeling, one I'll never forget.

2010 - "It was the Boston. How could I not finish?"

Mary Elaine Shirah

My Boston Marathon story is simple. All I had to do was run 26.2 miles. Oh, and be fast!

I grew up in the Alabama Children's Home in Troy. According to statistics and the high school guidance counselor, I was not exactly "going places." But as a teen, I was introduced to running by a houseparent, Mr. Grey. And that made all the difference. I have a type-A personality, and I used running as a way of escaping imperfections that plagued my life. In college, I ran for my sorority in Greek Week, and ran the track when I couldn't sleep. Which was a lot.

After college graduation, I married a football coach and had two children. I was teaching and coaching myself and before I knew it, no more 5k racing for me. I retired my shoes and dreams so that their dreams could live.

In 2000, we moved to the Shoals area. Eventually I began to run again. Running for stress, heartache, habit, and any other reason. I quickly re-entered the running circle, and was approached by some local runners training for a marathon. They asked me to join their group. I ran my first marathon in Memphis, Tennessee. That was about nine years ago. I was instantly addicted to endurance running.

1996 - People encouraging me, yelling "Go Corinth, you’re almost there!"

Lisa Lewis

I was so lucky to be able to participate in the 100^th running of the Boston Marathon. What made it so meaningful to me was I was able to run with my buddies, Judy Sohl and Sue Box. Judy had recently moved back to California, which was a very painful for me, as I was losing a great friend and running coach.

I had many races under my belt including one previous marathon, but nothing prepared me for the unique experience of Boston. Because the BAA allowed so many runners in for the 100 year celebration, the starting line area in Hopkinton looked like a "Woodstock" of runners. We were in a big field, runners everywhere, and helicopters flying overhead. This little "redneck" from Mississippi stayed close to my friends. We took our time, savored the sights and screaming fans along the entire route, enjoying this special experience and each other.

Strangely, I don’t remember ever being tired, or hitting any "walls". I think the excitement of being there just carried me along. I remember asking everyone "Where is Heartbreak Hill?" Finally, a big drum announced this famous runner’s landmark. The hills of Mississippi and my slow pace had prepared me well for this last hurtle.