NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. — Boston Marathon bombing survivor Jeff Bauman ran in his first road race since the 2013 attack, when he lost both his legs.
“It was really, really awesome to run a mile and just the outcome of people giving inspiration was amazing,” said Bauman.
He was side by side with the man who saved him in 2013, Carlos Arrendondo.
The mile was two loops, and during Bauman’s second trip around, a crowd of people spontaneously gathered around him. Bauman was walking with his prosthetics and this time helping Arrendondo along as he recovers from a recent surgery.
The race was part of the Runner’s World Classic in North Andover, offering a kids race, 5k, 10k and a sentimental celebrity mile.
"I am meeting runners that were there during the Boston Marathon 2013 and they are still around doing the work, volunteering here,” said Arrendondo
Runner’s World magazine hosted the event, calling it opportunity to build sense of community, a community always striving to move forward
"Running really is a very tight knit community it really helps a lot of people get over trauma and other challenges,” said David Willey, Runner’s World editor.
There is a half marathon tomorrow, and some runners will complete all three.