Runner From Colorado Says Boston Marathon Fans Were 'Paramount'
DENVER (CBS4) - Among all the runners at the Boston Marathon last year, a Colorado woman didn't get to finish due to the bombings. But CBS4's Mark Taylor talked with Amy O'Brien on Monday, who crossed that finish line this year.
Security was definitely tighter this year, with more police officers and cameras. But excitement and attendance was also up, and according to O'Brien from Englewood, runners, Bostonians and fans all took back the Boston Marathon.
In some ways the race was the same -- the same 26.2 miles and the same grueling struggle. But one thing was noticeably different -- the energy.
"It's all about the people, really," O'Brien said.
O'Brien said not only were there more runners this year, but fans were paramount, shouting and cheering at runners from beginning to end.
"I think if there was even a quarter mile without a person, that's the longest there was the whole length from start to finish," she said.
And at that finish line this year was nothing but satisfaction.
"It just has been everything I dreamed it would be," O'Brien said.
It was a triumphant finish more than a year in the making. She was less than a mile from the finish line last year when the bombs went off.
"I was elated. I was so elated just to cross."
O'Brien said the mood among runners this year was one of pride, each running for their own reasons, and all running for those who couldn't.
"Well organized, there wasn't really a hitch at all."
While O'Brien crossed the race off her bucket list, she said the day was a win for America in reclaiming the country's oldest marathon.
"It's hard. I'll be the first one to say it's not a walk in the park, but it's definitely worth it."
The Boston Marathon race director said it has been a long and difficult year, but told reporters, "We're taking back our race, we are taking back the finish line."
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