Health

Boston Marathon bombing survivor proud of $32 million virtual fundraising total

BOSTON — It’s the first time in the Boston Marathon’s 124-year history that runners did not cross the finish line together.

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a postponement of April’s race followed by a cancellation.

More than 16,000 runners still participated in a virtual race between Sept. 7-14.

The Boston Athletic Association announced Thursday that the virtual participation raised more than $32 million this year for 242 charities.

The $32.1 million total is shy of last year’s race record of $38.7 million.

Boston Marathon bombing survivor Adrianne Haslet told Boston 25 News she’s proud of this year’s fundraising total and believes it shows that Boston Strong cannot be defeated.

“I think it says a lot about what the Boston Marathon means to so many,” said Haslet. “It’s an incredible, incredible way to show that the resiliency of Boston is still there. It never left from that comeback race in 2014.”

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Haslet, who lost her left leg below the knee during the 2013 bombings, had been training for this year’s in-person marathon before its cancellation.

The previous year, in 2019, she had been training for the Boston Marathon when she was hit by a car.

“I am training harder than I ever have mentally and physically to give it my all the next time,” said Haslet. “If we can hopefully host this in 2021, there is no doubt it will be the loudest, craziest, most impactful marathon ever.”

Haslet has been fighting for the Boston Marathon to add an official Para division for Para athletes like her.

The B.A.A. become the first major marathon in the world to add a Para division in 2020.

“I was really looking forward to competing this year in 2020 and showing people what para athletes can do,” explained Haslet. “I’m looking forward for people to see that. I really hope, cross the fingers and the five toes I have, that can happen sooner than later.”


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