The Boston Marathon is pure history. The oldest annual marathon. It has been held on Patriots Day every year for the past 127 years. The race starts out of town in Hopkinton! Throughout the run you can feel the spectators' pride in this special event. In 2013 I started at this legendary marathon for the first time. It was a highlight of my life as a runner until I crossed the finish line. Every runner felt the pride of the people in this traditional race. The atmosphere along the entire route was extremely impressive.
After the finish line I was overwhelmed and very impressed by so many enthusiastic spectators! 15 minutes later, two bombs detonated close to the finish-line and turned this dreamlike day into a nightmare.
3 people died and 264 were injured, some seriously, by the cluster bombs! People who had enthusiastically cheered me and the other runners just a few minutes earlier, shortly before the finish line. After the marathon, we runners in Boston were asked again and again: you there? Did you reach the finish-line? Are you coming back? At the time, I answered “yes” to all three questions. 10 years after the horrific events, I finally returned to run the 127th Boston Marathon!