Reporter’s Notebook: Boston Marathon Bombing ‘Feels Like Yesterday’
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The Boston Marathon marks its 127th year today as the world’s best distance runners descend on the city of Massachusetts in hopes of claiming victory in the world’s oldest annual marathon event.
This year’s edition has special significance as it marks the 10th anniversary of the Boston Marathon Bombing, a domestic terrorist attack in 2013 that killed three people and injured hundreds. For a marathon appropriately held on Patriots’ Day in the United States, the bombing is commemorated and the dead are commemorated with a military march.
Once the memorial is complete, the men’s, women’s and wheelchair-bound fields will complete the challenging 26.2-mile course featuring Eliud Kipchoge, the men’s marathon world record holder, for the first time in Boston.
A crowd of recreational runners will then attempt to survive the course, with around 30,000 people expected to start the race and thousands more along the side of the road to cheer.
Follow the latest updates from the event with our blog below:
Boston Marathon 2023 live updates
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Boston Marathon 2023
In stark contrast to the men’s elite race, elite women choose early caution as their modus operandi.
A huge pack of leaders ran the first mile in a consistent 6 minutes and 9 seconds.
Mike Jones17. April 2023 14:56
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The men’s elite race has moved over 5K and there is a slight break near the front of the field. It took you approximately 14 minutes to pass this marker.
(USA TODAY Sports via Portal Con)
Mike Jones17. April 2023 14:54
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The elite men cover the first mile in 4 minutes 37 seconds.
That’s fast fast. World record marathon fast.
Eventually they will slow down this hilly track and ooh one will break a world record today but the fast pace could tear the field apart before long.
Mike Jones17. April 2023 2:48 p.m
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The women’s elite race begins!
This field is very deep and there are at least half a dozen runners with a reasonable chance of winning the marathon. It is probably the most exciting race this afternoon.
(Portal)
Jack Rathborn17. Apr 2023 2:47pm
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Marcel Hug is a really impressive racer. He makes it halfway through the stage in 36:31 and leads the men’s wheelchair race by more than four minutes.
At this rate, he’ll probably be finished by 3:15 p.m.
Mike Jones17. April 2023 2:45 p.m
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The women’s wheelchair manager, Susannah Scaroni, stops to make some adjustments to a wheel. It’s a quick fix, though, and she’s back on the road.
This delay shouldn’t be too costly, but she won’t be too happy about it.
In the men’s wheelchair race, Marcel Hug continues to dominate as he nears halftime.
(AFP via Getty Images)
Jack Rathborn17. April 2023 14:42
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Eliud Kipchoge has to settle for the No. 2 jersey today, while defending Boston Marathon winner Evans Chebet gets the No. 1.
Kipchoge and Chebet are both at the front of the pack as the runners take to the track.
Mike Jones17. April 2023 2:40 p.m
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Coverage of the Boston Marathon is about to launch on Eurosport for UK viewers. Both wheelchair races are already well underway, handbikes and duos started a few minutes ago.
Next up are the men’s elite runners.
(AP)
Mike Jones17. April 2023 14:38
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Marcel Hug has passed the 10k mark in the men’s wheelchair race and leads the rest of the field by almost two minutes. This is unreal.
There is also a surprise for the women.
Susannah Scaroni of the United States opened up a 20-second lead, leaving four-time Boston champion Manuela Schär in third at the time.
Mike Jones17. April 2023 14:33
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Kipchoge isn’t sure what to expect from the Boston Marathon
The Boston Marathon, with its abundance of hills, is unlike most other endurance races like Berlin or London, which are incredibly flat and set world record times.
Eliud Kipchoge, the current men’s world record holder, has never raced in Boston but will make his debut today at the age of 38.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen after 10, 15, 25 kilometers,” he said in an interview with the New York Times, “it’s a huge experience and a different experience than many other marathons. That makes me nervous.
“I think Boston is like the Olympics, it’s a new environment for me. Well chosen people. It’s like a championship race.”
(AFP via Getty Images)
Jack Rathborn17. April 2023 14:28