I had the privilege of covering the Boston Marathon again this year, this time for the Wellesley Townsman, the weekly newspaper for the community of Wellesley. I spent the morning among throngs of excited Wellesley College students who stand along Washington Street for hours and hours, so that they can be in prime locations for hugs, high fives, and the occasional kiss from a passing marathoner. It was exhilarating, inspirational, and hilarious to be among these energetic students and the equally energetic runners. There is a reason they call the area outside of Wellesley College the “scream tunnel” on Marathon Monday – you literally need to wear earplugs!
Later that day, as I was back in the newsroom filing my photos and looking up runners’ names, we heard the news about the explosions at the finish line. In the split seconds when the bombs went off, our city was changed forever.
Many writers, bloggers, reporters, and witnesses have already produced eloquent and thoughtful responses to this violence in our city and this attack on one of our longest held traditions. I will let their words ring out in place of my own. But I do share this image as one from Marathon Monday that stands out to me as a symbol of hope, strength, and togetherness.
