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.
-
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
-
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
-
by Nathan Fenno via twitter 4/21/2014 12:45:29 PM
-
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
-
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.
-
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
-
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.
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
by Boston Police Dept. via twitter 4/21/2014 4:59:00 PM#MarathonSafetyTip : If you are carrying a bag or backpack, please be advised NOT to leave it on the ground or unattended. -
by Paula Ebben via twitter 4/21/2014 4:59:34 PM
-
by BGlobeSports via twitter 4/21/2014 5:01:16 PM
-
by Stacey Leasca via twitter 4/21/2014 5:03:14 PM
Fans getting progressively louder down Comm Ave #BostonMarathon http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BlwsMtlIAAAUDfJ.jpg
-
4/21/2014 5:04:43 PM Matt PearceThe emotion: Meb Keflezighi, the first American man to win the Boston Marathon since 1983, covers himself in glory. (Elise Amendola/AP)
-
by Stacey Leasca via twitter 4/21/2014 5:05:46 PM
This guy thought this was a great place/time to read a good book. #BostonMarathon http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BlwsyXiIAAAKWiS.jpg
-
by Stacey Leasca via twitter 4/21/2014 5:08:26 PM
Runners entering tunnel at Mass. ave. #BostonMarathon http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BlwtZTqIQAAhlAW.jpg
-
by Nathan Fenno via twitter 4/21/2014 5:08:49 PMA year after pancreatic cancer surgery, L.A.'s Phil Kent is through half of the #BostonMarathon in 1:58.32.
-
by Stacey Leasca via twitter 4/21/2014 5:11:06 PMJust got yelled at by cop for texting and walking. I told him I was tweeting. He laughed and said "that's worse" #BostonMarathon
-
by Stacey Leasca via twitter 4/21/2014 5:15:17 PMSecurity just cut off last bit of Comm Ave. before last turn. Too many people, becoming security risk. #BostonMarathon
-
4/21/2014 5:16:36 PM Matt PearceThe Los Angeles Times' own Joe Tanfani -- who decided to run this year's race after surviving last year's race and battling through a recent injury -- seems to be motoring along OK: At the half, his time was 1:53:53, according to the Boston Athletic Association's marathon tracker.
You can read Joe's story about deciding to run this year's race here.
-
by Stacey Leasca via twitter 4/21/2014 5:16:56 PM
#boston stoops going strong. #BostonMarathon http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BlwvV6IIMAAl_Gs.jpg
-
by levenson via twitter 4/21/2014 5:17:16 PM
-
by Stacey Leasca via twitter 4/21/2014 5:18:36 PM
Lady just asked this cop to hold her baby. Boston PD- ridiculously helpful. #BostonMarathon http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BlwvuEsIYAA4yjj.jpg
-
by BostonGlobe via twitter 4/21/2014 5:19:22 PM
-
by Stacey Leasca via twitter 4/21/2014 5:21:34 PM
The cheering is so loud on Hereford St, the last turn before the finish #BostonMarathon .. It's wonderful http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BlwwZtNIYAAU4Xw.jpg
-
by Stacey Leasca via twitter 4/21/2014 5:25:51 PM
-
by Boston Marathon via twitter 4/21/2014 5:29:23 PMMeb Keflezighi at presser: "It was my dream to win Boston and to make it just like the Red Sox did and do the same thing for the people." -
by Nathan Fenno via twitter 4/21/2014 5:31:46 PM#BostonMarathon winner Meb Keflezighi: "It couldn't happen at a better time to win for the United States."
-
by Stacey Leasca via twitter 4/21/2014 5:38:57 PM
Meet Jake! Jake just finished the #BostonMarathon in 2:44:48! Go Jake! http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Blw0YThIEAAOvdT.jpg
-
4/21/2014 5:39:07 PM Matt PearceNot all of the remembering going on at today's marathon are about last year's attacks, of course. Tina Susman brings us the story of a Southern California connection among the throngs along today's route:
Amy Brakeman was among those fans lining the route. She remembers her father, George McDonald, qualifying for the Boston Marathon in 1979. That was when they were living in Palos Verdes, Calif.
Now, she lives in Wellesley, Mass. Her father, who is 80, lives in Long Beach, Calif., but they were both following the race today.
"I think of my dad each time I come out here to watch the marathon," Brakeman said, who got her dad on the phone for a joint interview.
Asked to remember the most enjoyable moment of that long-ago race (next to finishing, of course), McDonald did not hesitate. "The tunnel of screams," he said, referring to a stretch outside Wellesley college. "There was a huge mob of girls, screaming. It was the highlight."
McDonald went on to finish other marathons, but he never did Boston again.
