Memories of the marathon

[fbhjr]

My father brought my brother and me to see the Boston Marathon when we were very young. It must have been more than 40 years ago now.
We got up very early in the morning, drove to Hopkinton to see the start. At the time it seemed a huge distance away. Now I drive by it every day to work.

We got there early enough that we were right up front when it started.
The starting gun went off and thousands of people began to run past us.

One of them turned to spit and hit me right across my face.
I never wanted to be near the marathon again.
But, my father was determined. He drove us over to my grandparent’s house, just off the route farther on, and cleaned me off, then we set off for Boston.

I was probably 7 or 8 years old, but I still remember the crowds. We couldn’t get close to the finish line. Some teenager climbed on top of a phone booth (still had those 40 years ago) and shouted to the rest of us what was happening.
Of course it was things like “now a guy in red shorts is crossing the line!”

The street was literally full of people. Across from building to building. When my father lifted me up it went as far as I could see.

I look at the footage from the bombs going off 7 hours ago, and what amazes me the most is how few people got hurt. Yes, I know, several dead and hundreds injured.
But I remember those crowds of 40 years ago and am glad it wasn’t dozens dead and thousands injured.

Comments

[ravena-kade.livejournal.com]

yes, it is amazing that there were not more deaths and injuries.

[endlessblush.livejournal.com]

I think it's amazing more people weren't killed and hurt.

[palusbuteo.livejournal.com]

Same here, astonished it wasn't 50+ dead.

I was never a fan of the marathon. Yeah, it's an amazing accomplishment, and I've had friends and family run it as well as be at the finishing line, etc
so I am [grateful] this was not one of those times, but doesn't mean I'm going to get all excited for people I do not know to run 26 miles, etc.

But events I do get excited about and want to do in Boston are usually pretty crowded with people, so now I an greatly concerned on how mass hysteria and paranoia is
going to cause more headaches, etc. if they are not outright cancelled.

[pallid-regina.livejournal.com]

True. Good point.