There is certain permanence to the term “finish line.”
It implies something coming to an end—a journey reaching a conclusion.
But the finish line to the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013, involuntarily became the starting point in a journey for many.
The finish line began the road to rehabilitation, a path of grieving and for the people of the city of Boston, with the nation behind them, it became a year to prove they were “Boston Strong.”
On April 21, 2014, the Boston Marathon finish line covered Boylston Street where just a year before, an act of terror killed three and injured more than 260 people. This year’s finish line served as not only the end of a 26.2 mile race, but the finish to a long year of tragedy and triumph.
“We’re taking back the finish line,” is what Boston Marathon Race Director, Dave McGillivray, told runners before the start of the race.
On marathon Monday, Meb Keflezighi did just that, along with 36,000 race participants.
At almost 39-years-old, Meb Keflezighi crossed the finish line in a personal record time of two hours, eight minutes and 37 seconds, becoming the first American man to win in Boston since 1983.
Said Keflezighi following the race, “I’m blessed to be an American and God bless America and God bless Boston for this special day.”
Though Keflezighi wore the crown and decorated his neck with a medal, the victory was shared with many. The win came to the city of Boston, for the injured who triumphed and to the resilience and dedication of the thousands who kept America on top.
As Keflezighi crossed the finish line, so did many survivors of the attacks.
Celeste Corcoran, who lost both her legs in last year’s attack, and her daughter Sydney, who nearly died due to shrapnel injuries, joined Corcoran’s sister Carmen Acabbo on Boylston Street at approximately 4 p.m. to cross the finish line together. Celeste told Boston Globe reporter Kay Lazar, “For me, I did this for every single person who can’t run this race.”
Celeste Corcoran crossed the finish line with two prosthetic legs on April 21, 2014.
Standing on the other side of the finish, Celeste Corcoran announced evil no longer held its grip.
“Negative power is officially gone from this spot,” Corcoran told Lazar of the Boston Globe, “Terrorists never, ever win.”
Julie Conlon can be contacted at jcolon@keene-equinox.com