Back to Boylston

Photograph by Mitch Feinberg

1. Pete Borgmann, 34, Boston

“It’s tough if you are not from the New England area to necessarily understand how big of a deal Patriot’s Day really is to people. I think everyone is very eager to get back some sense of normalcy.”

2. Sandy Xenos, 61, Mashpee

“On the turn from Hereford to Boylston Street, I will see the vision of the finish line and the beauty of our city. I will realize once again that we are, always have been, and always will be, Boston Strong.”

3. Skye Johnson, 38, Neptune Beach, FL

“Every time anybody has asked me about the Boston Marathon, I say, ‘I think if you hold your hand out from the starting line you could slap high-fives the entire way along the course.’ That’s what I want to do: run and say thank you and celebrate.”

4. Danielle Chaplick, 31, Brookline

“I tell people it’s not just a race; it’s sincerely, I think, an honor to be a part of this event. Especially this year, every time I’m out running in the terrain, in the weather, and the black ice, and the cold, when I’m just about ready to give up, I think about that.”

5. Angela Morello, 28, Boston

“My parents were a little iffy. I remember last year my mom said, ‘I don’t want you running again.’ I think they were a little hesitant about me doing this again, but they are also very supportive and excited.”

6. Kelsey Perkins, 22, Brighton

“I really want to be present on the day of the race, and I want to enjoy the journey—which will hopefully this time bring me to the finish line—but really enjoy the camaraderie with other runners, the support from the crowds, and just knowing that we are all in it together.”

7. Cara Bednar, 28, Marblehead

“The more people who can come out and put a kibosh on fear and try to show the world that Boston is strong and people don’t let fear deter them from doing healthy, active, everyday things—that would be the greatest thing we can give the victims and the people who have lost so much.”

8. Robert Sutfin, 34, Boston

“At the end of my training last year, I actually said to my family and friends that this is going to be a first and last marathon because the training was grueling. When the tragedy happened, I quickly rethought that sentiment and knew that I had to run it again and finish.”

9. Caroline Foz, 20, Brick, NJ

“I find myself being a little less anxious about the training and the run, because I know that I’ve done it before. I got to 25.8 miles last year, so I think it is less stressful, but it is also more exciting.”

10. Lacey Cumming, 24, South Boston

“We are probably going to cry when we cross the finish line, and I think this year will be a lot more emotional. If I have to crawl this year, I will do it. You can’t let a one-time experience change what you like doing.”

11. Jennifer Salucci, 32, Belmont

“I want to run it for closure. I almost did not register, as the deadline was in August and my heart hadn’t really healed by then.”

12. Daniel Latu, 20, Norton

“I am not running again this year, but I am planning on running again in the future. It’s kind of a bug that bites you once you do it, and you want to do more.”

See more from our guide to the Boston Marathon.