I’d like to think I’m putting forward an unbiased opinion about the Boston Marathon, but I just can’t promise that. What I can do, is try and prove to whoever is reading this, that the Boston Marathon is not just like any other marathon or race.

Looking back now, growing up in Hopkinton, Massachusetts was truly a privilege. I had a front row seat to history, I met various record-setting runners from all around the world, and I got to witness history every year on Patriots day. Patriots day, or more so known as “Marathon Monday” was the one day a year that my town came together as one. There was a sense of patriotism in the air that was a feeling like no other. I had such pride for my town and such pride being from such an amazing place.

Of course, I cannot write an article about the Boston Marathon without talking about the Boston bombings at the finish line in 2013. I will never forget that day. I was sitting in my local pizza shop 100 feet away from the start line of the marathon, a few hours after the runners had left. I looked up at the TV and all I could see was smoke and flashing lights on the screen. A feeling of panic came over me. Nothing even close to this had ever happened in my lifetime, especially so close to home. Witnessing first-hand how the entire community reacted towards what had happened was inspiring and something I will never forget.

The Boston Marathon is not like any other race. It takes place in a place filled with people who are full of pride for their city. I grew up screaming “all the way to Boston” from the sidelines and becoming overjoyed when random runners would slap my hand that was held out as they passed by. I believe whole-heartedly, the people that line the course are the ones that make the experience so unreal, both for the runners and the viewers like myself.

Although before the 2013 bombings the marathon was still a patriotic holiday for all, proceeding the bombing and horrific events of that April day created a unified city. We like to think of ourselves as one, and we pride ourselves on the resilience and strength that we hold.