Every Boston Marathon is special to the runners who dedicate the time and training to run the world-famous course from Hopkinton to Boylston Street.
But Monday's race, the first in-person marathon held on the traditional Patriots' Day date since 2019, was especially meaningful as Boston felt like its normal self after three years of COVID-induced changes to the race.
The excitement in the air was palpable well before runners even took off from the start line. Matt Terry came from Connecticut to cheer on his wife, Martha, and son, Brendan. He was thrilled to get to see them run the race in-person on its proper day again rather than at home.
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"I think it's awesome," he said. "I know two years ago my wife and son ran on Patriots' Day alone, at home, 26 miles. It was horrible. And it's just great to be in the city. It's so electric here on Marathon weekend."
For a city that had been waiting a long time for the marathon to return to Patriots' Day, the race was as good, if not better, than advertised. Evans Chebet, from Kenya, won the men's race with a time of 02:06:51 while Peres Jepchirchir, also of Kenya, won the women's in a nail-biter with a time of 02:21:01. The weather was cool, dipping into the 40s, and the wind was a bit heavy, but the sunshine made up for any discomfort. For runners, there was little more anyone could ask for.
Michael Herrera came to Boston from Los Angeles to run his ninth Boston Marathon. He ran in the October 2021 marathon, but he was thrilled to get it back on the third Monday of April.
"Everyone's excited to be back and the community's coming together," he said. "This marathon's one of the best because of the City of Boston on Patriots' Day versus any other race I've ever run."
Amber Kuszak, from Virginia, ran her first Boston Marathon Monday, the day before her birthday. She choked up a bit when talking about what it was like to make the final turn on Boylston.
"It was extremely moving," she said. "Just the tears welling up in my eyes as I rounded that last corner, just so meaningful and so memorable."
Odds are every runner made a few special memories on Monday. But few probably had as many meaningful moments on the course as Dmytro Molchanov.
Molchanov, who lives in Brooklyn but is originally from Ukraine, had the blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag painted on his face as he carried his country's banner in his arms.
He said he was one of only about 15 Ukrainian runners who ran in this year's marathon. And while it was tough for him to be here in Boston while his people and his country are going through the heartache of war, it was still important for him to represent.
"I wasn't able to train because of all what's going on right now," he said. "But I still decided to come here and show [Ukrainians are] strong, we're fighting and we hope peace will come soon to the world and my country."
The pandemic isn't over and odds are there will still be some tough days ahead. But for just a little bit on Monday, the Patriots' Day Boston Marathon made everything feel like normal again.
