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| Boston Marathon stories: 'Patriots' Day will likely have a different meaning' | Boston Marathon stories: 'Patriots' Day will likely have a different meaning' |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| If you want to know what the annual marathon celebration means to the city of Boston, sportswriter and Beantown native Bill Simmons said it simply and best: "Marathon Monday is sacred in and around Boston. You spend it with friends and family. It's more than a holiday." | If you want to know what the annual marathon celebration means to the city of Boston, sportswriter and Beantown native Bill Simmons said it simply and best: "Marathon Monday is sacred in and around Boston. You spend it with friends and family. It's more than a holiday." |
| Many residents of the city were out celebrating, working or running in the Boston Marathon Monday, which falls on Patriots' Day, a celebration of the tight-knit city's patriotic history. We asked six readers who were along the race route to share their stories: | Many residents of the city were out celebrating, working or running in the Boston Marathon Monday, which falls on Patriots' Day, a celebration of the tight-knit city's patriotic history. We asked six readers who were along the race route to share their stories: |
| Navigate this post: | Navigate this post: |
| Garrett Quinn: 'Going forward, though, the holiday will likely have a different meaning.' | Garrett Quinn: 'Going forward, though, the holiday will likely have a different meaning.' |
| Elyse Andrews: 'I have no doubt that the city of Boston and the running community will continue to support each other.' | Elyse Andrews: 'I have no doubt that the city of Boston and the running community will continue to support each other.' |
| Caitlin Kozlowski: 'We found out about it by a runner, who walked over to us bewildered.' | Caitlin Kozlowski: 'We found out about it by a runner, who walked over to us bewildered.' |
| Kevin Donovan: 'The first thing that went through my head, was, My God, that's a bomb.' | Kevin Donovan: 'The first thing that went through my head, was, My God, that's a bomb.' |
| Bruce Mendelsohn: 'As a veteran, I know what these things are.' | Bruce Mendelsohn: 'As a veteran, I know what these things are.' |
| Steph Yiu: 'We went from celebrating the marathon to trying to figure out what was happening.' | Steph Yiu: 'We went from celebrating the marathon to trying to figure out what was happening.' |
| Paul Nicholson (PaulNich): 'It was our 19th year and, yes, we will be there next year too.' | Paul Nicholson (PaulNich): 'It was our 19th year and, yes, we will be there next year too.' |
| Beverly Cawley (Beverlycy): 'Everybody I've talked to knows somebody who was involved in one way or another.' | |
| 'The holiday will likely have a different meaning' | 'The holiday will likely have a different meaning' |
| Garrett Quinn of Cambridge, Massachusetts | Garrett Quinn of Cambridge, Massachusetts |
| Many Bay Staters view Patriots' Day as a quirky Massachusetts holiday that is just an excuse to watch the Boston Marathon, attend a Red Sox game that starts unusually early, and drink excessively at a house party or a watering hole. It's one of the biggest party days of the year in Boston, and most of those parties often have nothing to do with what the holiday commemorates, the battles of Lexington and Concord. It's often a school vacation week, too. Even those without kids skip town because of the disruption caused by the marathon can be too much. | Many Bay Staters view Patriots' Day as a quirky Massachusetts holiday that is just an excuse to watch the Boston Marathon, attend a Red Sox game that starts unusually early, and drink excessively at a house party or a watering hole. It's one of the biggest party days of the year in Boston, and most of those parties often have nothing to do with what the holiday commemorates, the battles of Lexington and Concord. It's often a school vacation week, too. Even those without kids skip town because of the disruption caused by the marathon can be too much. |
| Going forward, though, the holiday will likely have a different meaning as the tragic events of yesterday have left a permanent mark on the day's marquee event. Runners were confused and angry about what happened as they made their way down Commonwealth Ave instead of the traditional Boylston Street course. The race was halted at around Mile 25, and this forced many runners to just walk the rest of the way. Many runners on the course were uninformed about the extent of what had happened near the finish line that they could no longer cross. "They haven't told us much of anything," said runner Pat Hogan, 61, of Gig Harbor, Washington. | Going forward, though, the holiday will likely have a different meaning as the tragic events of yesterday have left a permanent mark on the day's marquee event. Runners were confused and angry about what happened as they made their way down Commonwealth Ave instead of the traditional Boylston Street course. The race was halted at around Mile 25, and this forced many runners to just walk the rest of the way. Many runners on the course were uninformed about the extent of what had happened near the finish line that they could no longer cross. "They haven't told us much of anything," said runner Pat Hogan, 61, of Gig Harbor, Washington. |
| Hogan, like so many others, just knew that there was an explosion in the stands and something bad had happened. This was the case for many runners I spoke with as they made their way toward the makeshift finish of Boston Common. The explosions occurred long after the elite runners had finished so only the amateur runners had a chance of seeing or even hearing the bombs go off. | Hogan, like so many others, just knew that there was an explosion in the stands and something bad had happened. This was the case for many runners I spoke with as they made their way toward the makeshift finish of Boston Common. The explosions occurred long after the elite runners had finished so only the amateur runners had a chance of seeing or even hearing the bombs go off. |
| Some spectators on Newbury Street that went to the Red Sox game before making their way to Copley Square to cheer on a friend in the marathon were stunned. They, like so many others, had spent the day partying their faces off but now the effects of that partying were gone as the seriousness of the situation was beginning to sink in. "I just can't believe it. This doesn't happen here," one of them told me. | Some spectators on Newbury Street that went to the Red Sox game before making their way to Copley Square to cheer on a friend in the marathon were stunned. They, like so many others, had spent the day partying their faces off but now the effects of that partying were gone as the seriousness of the situation was beginning to sink in. "I just can't believe it. This doesn't happen here," one of them told me. |
| 'I have no doubt that the city of Boston and the running community will continue to support each other' | 'I have no doubt that the city of Boston and the running community will continue to support each other' |
Elyse Andrews of Somerville, Massachusetts | Elyse Andrews of Somerville, Massachusetts |
| Patriots' Day is marked by the running of the Boston Marathon, a Red Sox game and now, by tragedy. While the Massachusetts holiday officially commemorates the Revolutionary War battles of Lexington and Concord, most locals simply refer to it as Marathon Monday. After today, the race and holiday will always be referred to in connection with the bombings that took place at the finish line. | Patriots' Day is marked by the running of the Boston Marathon, a Red Sox game and now, by tragedy. While the Massachusetts holiday officially commemorates the Revolutionary War battles of Lexington and Concord, most locals simply refer to it as Marathon Monday. After today, the race and holiday will always be referred to in connection with the bombings that took place at the finish line. |
| The Boston Marathon is an institution with lore and traditions going back more than 100 years. It has a distinctly local flavor and pride, but it brings people from all over the world together. | The Boston Marathon is an institution with lore and traditions going back more than 100 years. It has a distinctly local flavor and pride, but it brings people from all over the world together. |
| I was down at the finish just hours before the tragedy and the energy, joy and excitement of the crowd and runners were palpable. It was a beautiful spring day, just what the city needed after a long, grueling winter. | I was down at the finish just hours before the tragedy and the energy, joy and excitement of the crowd and runners were palpable. It was a beautiful spring day, just what the city needed after a long, grueling winter. |
| Standing near the finish line, I got chills watching the elite men and women barrel down the street toward the end of the race. As a runner, I was newly inspired to commit to training. As a Boston-area resident, I was so proud that our city was showing its best self to the world. | Standing near the finish line, I got chills watching the elite men and women barrel down the street toward the end of the race. As a runner, I was newly inspired to commit to training. As a Boston-area resident, I was so proud that our city was showing its best self to the world. |
| After returning home and hearing about the explosions, it was surreal to see the deserted streets on TV just hours after they had been filled with accomplished runners and cheering spectators. | After returning home and hearing about the explosions, it was surreal to see the deserted streets on TV just hours after they had been filled with accomplished runners and cheering spectators. |
| Patriots' Day is one of those rare moments where everyone just seems happy. Most people in Boston have the day off and many line the marathon route with encouraging signs and noise-makers to cheer on the runners. Today was no different. And despite what happened, I have no doubt that the city of Boston and the running community will continue to support each other in this difficult time. | Patriots' Day is one of those rare moments where everyone just seems happy. Most people in Boston have the day off and many line the marathon route with encouraging signs and noise-makers to cheer on the runners. Today was no different. And despite what happened, I have no doubt that the city of Boston and the running community will continue to support each other in this difficult time. |
| 'We found out about it by a runner who walked over to us bewildered' | 'We found out about it by a runner who walked over to us bewildered' |
Caitlin Kozlowski of Boston: | Caitlin Kozlowski of Boston: |
| Being from Chicago, I've never heard of Patriots' Day, let alone the experience that coincides with it known as Marathon Monday. In the months leading up to today I had been waiting in anticipation of the day where the entire city of Boston shuts down, and spectators line every single step of the 26.2 miles that make up the race route. I stood in front of my apartment on Beacon Street, cheering on and chanting the names of the runners as they passed by, excited to be partaking in such a monumental event. | Being from Chicago, I've never heard of Patriots' Day, let alone the experience that coincides with it known as Marathon Monday. In the months leading up to today I had been waiting in anticipation of the day where the entire city of Boston shuts down, and spectators line every single step of the 26.2 miles that make up the race route. I stood in front of my apartment on Beacon Street, cheering on and chanting the names of the runners as they passed by, excited to be partaking in such a monumental event. |
| We found out about it by a runner, who walked over to us bewildered and told us there was an explosion at the finish line. We convinced her she was ok and that she was almost finished, and after a quick google search we saw no breaking news stories and continued to cheer on the runners, until the phones calls started pouring in asking if we were alright. Today was meant to be a day to celebrate, a day where everyone gathered together to cheer on complete strangers as they challenged their minds and bodies to their limits. Today was meant to be a day to remember those who fought for us and our independence, but we must also remember to be thankful for those who are still fighting for it every day. | We found out about it by a runner, who walked over to us bewildered and told us there was an explosion at the finish line. We convinced her she was ok and that she was almost finished, and after a quick google search we saw no breaking news stories and continued to cheer on the runners, until the phones calls started pouring in asking if we were alright. Today was meant to be a day to celebrate, a day where everyone gathered together to cheer on complete strangers as they challenged their minds and bodies to their limits. Today was meant to be a day to remember those who fought for us and our independence, but we must also remember to be thankful for those who are still fighting for it every day. |
| 'My God, that's a bomb' | 'My God, that's a bomb' |
Kevin Donovan of Boston. Shared with Donovan's permission from WBUR.org: | Kevin Donovan of Boston. Shared with Donovan's permission from WBUR.org: |
| It was the loudest sound I've ever heard in Boston. On any other day most people would think right away something terrible had happened. But on Patriots' Day in Massachusetts, a holiday that celebrates the first shots of the American Revolution, you might expect to hear a cannon, even downtown, even at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. That's what I wanted to believe when I heard it. It's just part of the party. But that isn't really what I thought the moment I heard the explosions. The first thing that went through my head, was: "My God, that's a bomb." | It was the loudest sound I've ever heard in Boston. On any other day most people would think right away something terrible had happened. But on Patriots' Day in Massachusetts, a holiday that celebrates the first shots of the American Revolution, you might expect to hear a cannon, even downtown, even at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. That's what I wanted to believe when I heard it. It's just part of the party. But that isn't really what I thought the moment I heard the explosions. The first thing that went through my head, was: "My God, that's a bomb." |
| Another view from where they stopped runners at #bostonmarathon. Incredible and heartbreaking twitter.com/Kevin_J_Donova… | Another view from where they stopped runners at #bostonmarathon. Incredible and heartbreaking twitter.com/Kevin_J_Donova… |
| Runners blocked off #bostonmarathon twitter.com/Kevin_J_Donova… | Runners blocked off #bostonmarathon twitter.com/Kevin_J_Donova… |
| 'As a veteran, I know what these things are' | 'As a veteran, I know what these things are' |
Bruce Mendelsohn of Cambridge: | Bruce Mendelsohn of Cambridge: |
| Runners immediately funneled away from the finish area; they didn't know what was happening and tried to finish. Unbelievable. | Runners immediately funneled away from the finish area; they didn't know what was happening and tried to finish. Unbelievable. |
| From a window three floors above the race, Mendelsohn snapped a picture of the aftermath (warning: graphic), that quickly went viral. | From a window three floors above the race, Mendelsohn snapped a picture of the aftermath (warning: graphic), that quickly went viral. |
| I saw, heard, felt and smelled the explosions. They blew me off the couch I was sitting on. As a veteran, I know what these things are. I rushed outside to help. I saw many casualties, most with lower extremity wounds. It was chaotic, bloody and terrifying. | I saw, heard, felt and smelled the explosions. They blew me off the couch I was sitting on. As a veteran, I know what these things are. I rushed outside to help. I saw many casualties, most with lower extremity wounds. It was chaotic, bloody and terrifying. |
| I was upstairs for about 30 more seconds until I was sure that everyone in the office party I was at was secure. Then I went downstairs to exit the building. I am not going home tonight, staying with friends. It's just numbing now. The marathon means a huge deal to our area; it's a national tradition and brings in many people and money. This is a serious blow to our security. | I was upstairs for about 30 more seconds until I was sure that everyone in the office party I was at was secure. Then I went downstairs to exit the building. I am not going home tonight, staying with friends. It's just numbing now. The marathon means a huge deal to our area; it's a national tradition and brings in many people and money. This is a serious blow to our security. |
| 'We went from celebrating the marathon to trying to figure out what was happening' | 'We went from celebrating the marathon to trying to figure out what was happening' |
Steph Yiu of Cambridge: | Steph Yiu of Cambridge: |
| On Marathon Monday, Boston is out to celebrate. Lots of people take the day off work to camp out along the marathon route to watch and cheer. This morning I took the T to meet my friend at mile 24, and the train was packed with people carrying neon signs for their runner friends and bags full of beer to bring to parties. I met up with my friends and we stood along the route for a while, ringing cowbells and cheering for the runners in crazy costumes. | On Marathon Monday, Boston is out to celebrate. Lots of people take the day off work to camp out along the marathon route to watch and cheer. This morning I took the T to meet my friend at mile 24, and the train was packed with people carrying neon signs for their runner friends and bags full of beer to bring to parties. I met up with my friends and we stood along the route for a while, ringing cowbells and cheering for the runners in crazy costumes. |
| What a beautiful day for the Boston Marathon!! twitter.com/crushgear/stat… | What a beautiful day for the Boston Marathon!! twitter.com/crushgear/stat… |
| Later on in the day, we went upstairs to my friend's house to hang out and eat – we could hear the marathon music blasting outside and waves of cheers. Then one of our friends got a text alert from Boston.com, and then everyone started checking their phones. We started hearing ambulances wailing down the road and seeing police cars flying up the street. Eventually, the marathon music stopped, but the runners kept going for what seemed like another hour, and people kept cheering them on. | Later on in the day, we went upstairs to my friend's house to hang out and eat – we could hear the marathon music blasting outside and waves of cheers. Then one of our friends got a text alert from Boston.com, and then everyone started checking their phones. We started hearing ambulances wailing down the road and seeing police cars flying up the street. Eventually, the marathon music stopped, but the runners kept going for what seemed like another hour, and people kept cheering them on. |
| At the party, we went from celebrating the marathon to trying to figure out what was happening. Everyone was checking the news on their phone – watching live streams online, refreshing Twitter, trying to load up web pages that were overloaded. We were texting to see if our friends were OK, and getting texts from friends wondering if we were OK. We kept looking outside to see what the police were doing. We couldn't believe what had happened. What started as a day of celebration quickly turned into tragedy. | At the party, we went from celebrating the marathon to trying to figure out what was happening. Everyone was checking the news on their phone – watching live streams online, refreshing Twitter, trying to load up web pages that were overloaded. We were texting to see if our friends were OK, and getting texts from friends wondering if we were OK. We kept looking outside to see what the police were doing. We couldn't believe what had happened. What started as a day of celebration quickly turned into tragedy. |
| "It was our 19th year and, yes, we will be there next year too." | "It was our 19th year and, yes, we will be there next year too." |
| Guardian commenter Paul Nicholson: | Guardian commenter Paul Nicholson: |
| I am a member of a group from western Mass that runs Boston every year to raise money for kids with cancer in Springfield, MA. It was our 19th year and, yes, we will be there next year too. | I am a member of a group from western Mass that runs Boston every year to raise money for kids with cancer in Springfield, MA. It was our 19th year and, yes, we will be there next year too. |
| Our concern was probably similar to many people's - where are our friends. It turned out that 3 of our runners were just over the line and were shaken but physically fine. Several others had passed the line shortly before. Many of our runners were stopped on Beacon Street or Comm Ave and just had to take a detour back to the bus. It was a protracted process and I don't think we had everybody accounted for until 4pm or so. Thank God. | Our concern was probably similar to many people's - where are our friends. It turned out that 3 of our runners were just over the line and were shaken but physically fine. Several others had passed the line shortly before. Many of our runners were stopped on Beacon Street or Comm Ave and just had to take a detour back to the bus. It was a protracted process and I don't think we had everybody accounted for until 4pm or so. Thank God. |
| There is always a large excellent medical tent at the finish line that usually deals with the usual runners ills. I understand that some of the best medics in Boston were there and ready to go when it happened. I suspect that saved lives. | There is always a large excellent medical tent at the finish line that usually deals with the usual runners ills. I understand that some of the best medics in Boston were there and ready to go when it happened. I suspect that saved lives. |
| The Boston Marathon is one of those amazing events that is full of goodness and happiness. I run every year because it is one of the most wonderful experiences I ever have. I run (which is my sport) and I help raise money for a great cause. I simply can't believe how the day ended and my heart goes out to the victims. | The Boston Marathon is one of those amazing events that is full of goodness and happiness. I run every year because it is one of the most wonderful experiences I ever have. I run (which is my sport) and I help raise money for a great cause. I simply can't believe how the day ended and my heart goes out to the victims. |
| "Everybody I've talked to knows somebody who was involved in one way or another." | |
| Guardian commenter Beverly Cawlely (Beverlycy): | |
| I'm also a member of two of the tightest knit groups in the city: the medical community (I'm a nurse) and the Boston Irish-Catholics. Everybody I've talked to knows somebody who was involved in one way or another. | |
| A nurse I know was working in one of the medical tents and is still unable to talk about the carnage, and she's an E.R. nurse. I guess it will be a while before she comes to grips with it. | |
| The Richard family (Martin, 8, lost his life) is active in the Irish dance community and big in community activism. I know a neighbor who states that everybody is walking around red eyed and sniffling. | |
| I have cousins who run the Marathon yearly and sponsor runners in their homes and host get togethers for runners from all over the world at their local pubs. Walking downtown on Marathon Weekend one can barely make progress because we stop to help tourists and give directions. | |
| My dog walk at a local park was grim and funereal, instead of the usual banter centering on out pups there was only an acknowledgement that something terribly wrong had happened and we all had a responsibility to help. | |
| guardian.co.uk today is our daily snapshot of the top news stories, sent to your inbox at 8am | guardian.co.uk today is our daily snapshot of the top news stories, sent to your inbox at 8am |