Boston

By reading this koob, you will learn the story of the oldest and most renowned annual marathon in the world.

You will also learn:

• That the Boston Marathon has its roots in Ancient Greece

• How the city of Boston triumphed over one of its greatest tragedies

• How women fought to be included in the race

• How running has the power to bring cultures together

• Why Boston is considered the Holy Grail of marathons

There is something special about the Boston Marathon. The world’s oldest annually run marathon, every year it draws tens of thousands of runners from around the world. Beginning in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, the race passes through eight different cities and towns, ending in the downtown core, often to thousands of screaming onlookers.

The marathon evokes the spirit of the city. Boston is known for its toughness, its grittiness, and its working-class mentality. 2014 hosted the 118th Boston Marathon. This race was particularly significant. The previous year’s race was marred by a brutal explosion at the finish line, taking the lives of three and injuring hundreds. The 2014 race was perhaps the most meaningful in its history, as Boston’s runners and supporters stood shoulder to shoulder in defiance of violent intimidation.