Runners finish the last mile of the Boston Marathon on Saturday. (AP-Yonhap News)
BOSTON (AP) ― Thousands of athletes joined victims of the Boston Marathon bombings to run and walk the last mile of the race Saturday, reclaiming the triumph of crossing the finish line.
About 3,000 runners and bombing victims gathered in light rain to run the final mile of the world’s oldest annual marathon, said Kathleen McGonagle, spokeswoman for those organizing the event known as OneRun. The 1-mile run began at Kenmore Square and ended at the official finish line, where participants hugged and cheered.
Explosions near the finish line killed three people and wounded more than 260 on April 15.
OneRun honors victims and emergency workers and allows runners to reclaim the final mile, McGonagle said.
“For the runner that didn’t get the chance to finish the marathon, this is the chance for them to experience the final mile that was taken away from them,” McGonagle said.