Runners celebrate accomplishment of crossing Boston Marathon finish line

The accomplishment and exhilaration of completing the 126th Boston Marathon brought out different emotions for those crossing the finish line.

Nearly 30,000 runners participated in this year’s race, and the energy from Hopkinton to Boston did not disappoint. For the first time since 2019, the race was held on its traditional Patriots Day date.

There were many familiar faces who ran for meaningful causes, including 20-year-old Henry Richard. Richard lost his 8-year-old brother Martin in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.

“I know if he was here this year or the coming years he would be doing this with me. That’s all I could think about,” said Richard.

It was his first time participating in the 26.2 mile race, and he plans on running it again.

“It’s beyond words. I knew I could do it. It’s even more incredible than I ever imagined,” he said.

Others who traveled from around the world also ran with purpose.

“I go to Boston just to explain everything what’s happened in my country,” said Ukrainian native Igor Krygsak.

Krygsak, from Kyiv, said he got special permission to travel out of Ukraine to participate in the Boston Marathon.

“I hear the support from people. It’s important,” explained Krygsak. “I’m Ukrainian, and I’m proud of it.”

Runners came from 122 different countries for this year’s marathon. Russian and Belarusian runners were not allowed to take part in this year’s Boston Marathon because of the invasion of Ukraine.

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