Boston Marathon: Live blog
A year after the devastating Boston Marathon bombing, the city again holds its annual race. What is the mood of the city, the spirit of the runners, the feelings of residents and visitors? The Los Angeles Times staff, including a Boston native, are at the event to find out. Join us for our live updates as we follow the race, the runners and fans, and see how this city fares one year later.
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4/21/2014 7:32:52 AM Stacey.Leasca"These six runners among the 23,326 who started that day had no idea the race wouldn't end for them. Two crossed the finish line's blue and yellow strip after the 26.2-mile journey. Four didn't. For all of them, though, the bombs that stole three lives and injured more than 260 others turned the marathon into something more significant than a footrace."
Read the full story on 6 Los Angeles runners here. -
4/21/2014 7:33:41 AM Stacey.LeascaYesterday I spent some time w/ a few comfort dogs before #BostonMarathon Read story here- goo.gl/N5pgEb pic.twitter.com/vknjDU5Kxh
Apr. 20, 2014- Reply
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4/21/2014 7:34:25 AM Stacey.LeascaA Los Angeles Times reporter recalls running in last year's race, and how memories of the tragedy there drove him to enter Monday's 2014 Boston Marathon. Read the full story here.
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4/21/2014 7:34:43 AM Stacey.Leasca
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4/21/2014 7:36:16 AM Stacey.Leasca
Just a few blocks from the Boston Marathon finish line, people were lined up Saturday, awaiting the arrival of a quartet of unusual healers.
The foursome is part of a corps with an amazing ability to calm and comfort people deeply shaken by violence or disaster just by being themselves -- dogs. Read full story on the comfort dogs here.
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An early riser to watch the Boston Marathon. "It's my favorite day!" Jerry Johnson told me as we crossed paths. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Blvdt6XIEAAvDdI.jpg
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by Stacey Leasca via twitter 4/21/2014 11:43:42 AMLast night I biked the #bostonmarathon route w/ #MidnightRide .. It actually took me longer than the slower elite men/women running today. -
One year after the #BostonMarathon bombing some are critical of new security measures: bit.ly/1h4yMSn -
For #BostonMarathon coverage follow @tinasusman @latimesmuskal @mattdpearce @SLeasca @lauraelizdavis @JTanfani @latimesnational -
Boston Police tripled the number of officers at the #BostonMarathon this year. It's evident in Cleveland Circle http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Blvj0oIIYAAE3dE.jpg
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by AlanaSemuels via twitter 4/21/2014 11:54:51 AM
Lots of guys in security outfits walking around Marathon finish line this morning. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BlvlnweIQAAyt8R.jpg
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by tina susman via twitter 4/21/2014 11:58:32 AM
Waiting for the runners. Water stations are starting to line the Marathon route. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BlvmdsDIUAAysrg.jpg
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by tina susman via twitter 4/21/2014 12:02:35 PM
It's early, but the O'Brien family is ready. "They're just inspiring. More so this year," Denise says of runners. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BlvnZNRIEAErjf0.jpg
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4/21/2014 12:10:59 PM Matt PearceGood morning, marathon watchers! -
by Boston Police Dept. via twitter 4/21/2014 12:21:33 PM
#CommishEvans on Ch. 4: "Today's gonna be special. Security will be high & we're looking forward to a great day." http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BlvrLb0IAAAQ6-u.jpg
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by AlanaSemuels via twitter 4/21/2014 12:22:00 PM
Line is forming for Cactus Club, bar on Boylston St. "We don't open til at least 9," manager sez. Reply: "we know." http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Blvr1eKIIAAIkvJ.jpg
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4/21/2014 12:24:23 PM Matt PearceIt's a brisk morning in Boston, where it's about 40 degrees, and where we've got a few reporters following the race.
Nathan Fenno is in the town of Hopkinton, where the race is set to begin; Tina Susman is along the route in Framingham; and Alana Semuels and Stacey Leasca are near where the 26.2-mile race ends on Boylston Street in Boston -- where two bombs ripped through a crowd of onlookers last year, killing three people and wounding 260 more.
For that reason, It's a big day for many runners and onlookers who have amassed in Boston for one of the world's most famous marathons, and we hope our reporters can give you a sense of what it's like to be on the scene. Following along from L.A., I'll be your host. -
by BostonGlobe via twitter 4/21/2014 12:31:32 PM#BostonMarathon officially begins at 8:50am (mobility impaired division). Here's the rundown of starting times bit.ly/1njQvch -
by Teresa Hanafin via twitter 4/21/2014 12:35:40 PMOpening the 2014 Boston Marathon with the singing of the U.S. National Anthem will be Sgt. Daniel M. Clark, "The Singing Trooper." Clark ... -
by Stacey Leasca via twitter 4/21/2014 12:36:42 PM
One of the many security checkpoints along the #BostonMarathon - don't even think of bringing a bag. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BlvvMrmIgAAquuq.jpg
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by Stacey Leasca via twitter 4/21/2014 12:39:59 PM
Huge line of bike cops driving down Newbury St. #BostonMarathon http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Blvv88mIUAAPOp9.jpg
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by Nathan Fenno via twitter 4/21/2014 12:45:29 PM
These streets won't be empty for long. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Blvwr6WIQAAlG1-.jpg
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by Stacey Leasca via twitter 4/21/2014 12:47:49 PM
#boston is a runner's city. Side streets packed w/ people on their daily runs, all ending of course at coffee shop. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BlvxvUlIgAAHCzP.jpg
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4/21/2014 12:48:13 PM Matt PearceHere's the scene near the finish line on Boylston Street, from reporter Alana Semuels:
The finish line is already crowded with spectators and police, with people squeezing through gaps in metal security barriers to get to their preferred watching spot.
Outside the Cactus Club, a restaurant on the corner of Fairfield and Boylston, were Betsy Wienslaw and Aubrey Cornforth, both 27, who watched the Marathon at the same spot last year. They thought about not coming back this year because of security concerns, but the checkpoints and barriers have made them feel safe today, and they decided it was important to show their support.
Plus, this is one of the only days this can get Sam Adams 26.2, a special marathon beer.
"It's one of the best days in Boston," Wienslaw said.
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by AlanaSemuels via twitter 4/21/2014 12:53:02 PM
Announcer at finish line says race is underway, while colorful Bostonians at finish line get some photo attention. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Blvy7xyIYAAy8S-.jpg
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4/21/2014 12:55:08 PM Matt PearceAnd we're off! After a moment of silence, the race began at 8:50 a.m. with a group of mobility-impaired racers, who got the first of several staggered starts we'll see from different groups of racers this morning.
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by tina susman via twitter 4/21/2014 1:00:13 PM
National Guard troops are among those running the Marathon route this morning as they help with security. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Blv0lRJIAAA8at6.jpg
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by tina susman via twitter 4/21/2014 1:01:00 PMDon't know who he is, but Paul has some big fans along the Boston Marathon route today. ow.ly/i/5iWDD
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by AlanaSemuels via twitter 4/21/2014 1:03:53 PM
T shirt at finish line: "if a marathon were easy, it would be called your mother. Boston Strong." http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Blv1a_eIMAA06VL.jpg
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4/21/2014 1:03:54 PM Matt PearceMassachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick was there in Hopkinton to get that first batch of racers going.The moment of silence was dedicated to the three victims killed in last year's bombing -- Martin Richard, Krystle Campbell and Lingzi Lu -- and for MIT Officer Sean Collier, who officials say was shot and killed by the bombers several days later.
Boston-area officials also paid tribute to four recently fallen police and firefighters, including Boston Fire Department Lt. Edward J. Walsh, Jr., and firefighter Michael R. Kennedy, who were both killed while fighting an apartment fire in Boston that also hurt 18 first responders in March. (We wrote about that fire here.) -
by levenson via twitter 4/21/2014 1:06:03 PM
Mike Poitras and sons at the finish line w/ a Mohawk and a Martin Richard tribute. #marathon http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Blv0W8dIIAAmVHo.jpg
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4/21/2014 1:12:12 PM Matt PearceHere's a look at the marathon route, which winds 26.2 miles from Hopkinton, through Boston's suburbs, and into downtown Boston.
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by Stacey Leasca via twitter 4/21/2014 1:18:12 PM
All closed trash cans are locked today along #BostonMarathon http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Blv4sl-IcAIIrL3.jpg
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4/21/2014 1:19:17 PM Laura E. DavisHere's a shot of mobility-impared runners David Abel, left, Juli Windsor and Scott Rigsby in Hopkinton. (Photo credit: AP/Michael Dwyer)
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by Stacey Leasca via twitter 4/21/2014 1:22:32 PM
Streets around Fenway beginning to build with onlookers. #redsox game also drawing fans to area. #BostonMarathon http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Blv5sVsIQAA2nfy.jpg
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by Stacey Leasca via twitter 4/21/2014 1:24:32 PM
Just a few of the signs cheering runners on at Kenmore. #BostonMarathon http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Blv6JihIUAAWcU7.jpg
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4/21/2014 1:30:10 PM via YouTube Laura E. Davis
Midnight Marathon Bike Ride: Boston Marathon
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4/21/2014 1:32:46 PM Matt PearceJust in: There are 35,755 racers (Men: 19,648 / Women: 16,107) signed up for today's Boston marathon, according to the Boston Athletic Association.
That's a little shy of the 38,708 runners who signed up to run in the race's centennial in 1996, which was at that time the largest field in the world.
The New York City Marathon has since claimed that mantle, with 50,740 runners in 2013. -
by tina susman via twitter 4/21/2014 1:35:10 PM
This is the correct way to hold a cup for a thirsty marathon runner to grab! http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Blv8lSwIQAApL_3.jpg
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4/21/2014 1:37:55 PM Matt PearceThe elite women runners just got their start in Hopkinton, at 9:32 a.m. It's warmed up considerably over the last hour, jumping from 40 to 57 degrees, according to race organizers.
Last year's women's winner was Rita Jeptoo of Kenya, who ran 26.2 miles in two hours, 25 minutes and 25 seconds (which is about 15 minutes faster than the time it takes to watch Avatar). -
by Stacey Leasca via twitter 4/21/2014 1:38:39 PM
Today might be the perfect weather to run a marathon. #BostonMarathon http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Blv9YD2IUAAgMQc.jpg
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It's snowed 3 times on Marathon Monday, and it's also been over 100 degrees. Happy runners got perfect weather today! #BostonMarathon -
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4/21/2014 1:45:23 PM Laura E. DavisA father and his son watching the scene at the starting line in Hopkington. (Photo credit: Andrew Burton/Getty Images)
