'It's Our Duty': Boston Marathon Weekend Events Honor Bombing Victims
BOSTON (CBS) – It was a day of friendly competition and giving back.
There are just two days to go before the 120th Boston Marathon and all throughout the city, events and fundraisers were taken place to remember the victims of the 2013 bombings.
In Medford the third annual Krystle Campbell softball tournament got underway as her father fought back tears.
"It doesn't get any easier. You have good and bad days but something like this is a real good day," Bill Campbell said.
The Medford softball team raised more than $40,000 to help provide scholarships.
"We do this for her, for her family because they've been through such struggle. It's our duty, it's our honor," player Gigi Braga said.
Medford softball coach Jack Dempsey said it's important to keep Krystle's memory alive.
"Krystle was a Medford student, played softball. Great kid, really loved in the community," said Dempsey said.
The American Red Cross held its now annual Watertown Strong blood drive in honor of Dic Donohue, who was injured in the shootout with Dzhokhar Tsarnaev and his brother Tamerlan.
"I saw the story about Dic Donahue a couple days later and how he received all the blood at hospital and it saved his life. That inspired me to be a blood donor," Rachel Jacobs told WBZ-TV.
On Boylston Street the race was on as the 20th B.A.A. Marathon Challenge Relay took place with participants from 18 schools.
In total, more than 800 children ran the race.
Martin Richard's older brother Henry was among the competitors. He held his own against some fierce competition.
Family members say its events like these that helps them heal.
"It was an emotional time for all of us it really is but this makes me feel happy and excited," Bill Campbell said.
