How We’re Commemorating the Boston Marathon from Quarantine
Treadmill races? Why not! The marathon may be postponed, but fans aren't letting this day pass by unacknowledged.
Photo by Simone Migliori
Of all the days we’ve passed in our coronavirus shutdown, it’s safe to say that today hits particularly hard. On Patriots’ Day, Bostonians should be shaking cowbells at strangers, writing quippy signs, and proposing to each other on Boylston Street—but instead, we’re all trapped inside as the Boston Marathon has, for the first time ever, been postponed to September. However, that doesn’t mean that Patriots’ Day will pass by as just another day in quarantine. To paraphrase the wise words of one notable Bostonian, even in the throes of COVID-19, this is our fucking city, and a pandemic can’t keep us from honoring Boston’s beloved day. Below, see the ways that some locals (and some runners from afar) are commemorating Patriots’ Day from a safe social distance.
While Mayor Marty Walsh strongly discouraged everyone from running the Boston Marathon route, many runners took to safer routes to get their 26.2 miles in.
Kara was supposed to run the Boston Marathon tomorrow so instead she ran a socially distanced marathon this morning and I made a little video about it pic.twitter.com/54cXXoj2jT
— Kevin Dillon (@ByKevinDillon) April 19, 2020
@sydbrackett3Boston marathon got postponed so created my own 26.2 baby ✔️ ##bostonmarathon ##fyp ##foryou♬ Sunset Lover – Petit Biscuit
Some even took extra precautions by not going outdoors at all, and instead taking to their treadmill.
Today was supposed to be the day of the #BostonMarathon. It WILL go on for the world’s oldest marathon: from the #COVID19-free security of our treadmills! Join me, #Boston!! For the #BostonTreadAThon!!🇺🇸🏃🏽♀️#BostonStrong @bostonmarathon @GlobeMarathon @WCVB @boston25 @BostonGlobe pic.twitter.com/hIIm8NelnS
— Alice Stanton 🌎 (@AliceStanton) April 20, 2020
Marathon runners from all over the country joined in to honor the day.
It’s done. It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t fast – a staggeringly slow 5:30, thanks to the last 6 miles (it’s a marathon, I hear). But I finished 26.2 miles. Best part was running w/30-40 friends along the way, and 100 more cheering (all at a safe distance!). A day I’ll never forget. pic.twitter.com/kNbFeVuAE1
— John U. Bacon (@Johnubacon) April 18, 2020
While running really far is certainly an apt way to pay tribute to Marathon Monday, some are commemorating the day in more symbolic ways. Since 2014, Marathon Daffodils has lined the Marathon route with daffodils to honor those who lost their lives in the bombings in 2013. Today’s daffodils instead went to local hospitals.
Since the #BostonMarathon bombing in 2013, daffodils have become a symbol of rebirth and resiliency in our city. Though the course will be empty Monday, our hearts are full from these flowers from @marathondaffs. Thank you #Boston. We’ll plant them with pride. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/xXECiy26wk
— MassGeneral News (@MassGeneralNews) April 17, 2020
Even Boston’s statues are getting in the spirit.
Happy Patriot’s Day! While there will be no #BostonMarathon today, Marathon Daffodils lined the Make Way for Ducklings sculptures in the Public Garden. The flowers were distributed to area hospitals to show gratitude and support for our front-line medical workers. #BostonStrong pic.twitter.com/MWL6xFztHv
— Fifteen Beacon Hotel (@XVBeaconHotel) April 20, 2020
And of course, there are plenty of good boys (including Spencer the Marathon Dog) who wouldn’t let this day go by unacknowledged.
If you’re now inspired to launch your own Patriots’ Day celebration at home, get in the spirit by turning on WBZ and NBC Sports, which are both streaming reruns of races past (see the full schedule here). And revisit all our coverage of last year’s event here. Happy marathoning!
