Reflecting on the Boston Marathon Two Years Later: A City Continues to Heal

4.15.13

This is the date that has gone down in history as the day of the Boston Marathon bombing. On April 15th 2013, the Tsarnaev brothers set off two pressure cooker bombs near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Boylston Street. These atrocious bombs yielded three dead and 264 injured. The Boston Marathon is usually a day filled with excitement for inhabitants of Boston and viewers around the world but instead this day was filled with events that nearly shut the city down: manhunts, shelter-in place orders, a lack of communication and a halt on public transportation.

4.15.13

This is also the date that Lelisa Desisa, an Ethiopian runner, won the Boston Marathon for the first time, running a little over 26 miles with a time of 2:10:22. Desisa completed the race a mere five seconds faster than Micah Kogo, the silver medalist. Desisa was one of the few runners who was able to complete the race as so many of the other projected finishers were derailed by the bombs. In the aftermath of the attack, the marathon awards ceremony was cancelled. Many consider Desisa to be the “forgotten champion” of the Boston Marathon in that his incredible finish was completely lost amidst the tragedy. After the race, Desisa returned his gold medal to show his solidarity with the city of Boston and all it had lost.

4.20.15

This is also the date of the 119th Boston Marathon. Two years and five days separate this day from the Boston bombing. This is still an emotional day for the entire city of Boston but it also marks their ability to move forward. Boston, a city completely shaken by the events of the bombing, embraced the “Boston Strong” motto that had guided them through the initial shock. Many runners indicated that they would be running the race in memory of their friends, to honor all the victims, or to raise money for charity organizations. The marathon was a sort of community bonding and healing event, but it was also a chance for many to run a race they had always dreamed of running. After last year’s more sentimental race, the one-year anniversary of the bombing, it appears that after two years the race has turned its focus back a little more to the running.

4.20.15

This is the date that Lelisa Desisa won the Boston Marathon for the second time. During this race, his time improved by over a minute, finishing in 2:09:17. This race was not as close as the 2013 race. Desisa crossed the finish line with a 31 second lead over Yemane Adhane Tsegay, the second place winner. When Desisa crossed the finish line he announced “Strong Boston.” Being from Ethiopia, his English syntax wasn’t perfect but the sentiment of his statement stuck and touched all who watched. This year, there was a formal medal ceremony where Desisa received his gold medal that he would actually keep for himself this time. •