Boston Strong Seattle

It is an unfortunate and beautiful phenomenon that societies unite as the result of tragedies and hardship. It is unfortunate that such an event has to occur for people to unite and subsequently beautiful that people can unite to rectify an anguished situation. Such is the case in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon explosions however, I would never describe running communities as being anything but united and supportive all of the time. It just so happens that such a tragedy has made this group even stronger than they would otherwise be. 

On April 22 and coincidentally, Earth Day 2013, runners all over the world honored those who ran the 117th Boston Marathon in a run appropriately named "Boston Strong." The remembrance run symbolized the strength and endurance of the running community; particularly those who qualified to race the Boston Marathon. It is unfathomable that anybody would want to wreak havoc on a group of people who are pursuing their sport of choice in a peaceful and progressive manner. A pair of explosions on April 15 ruined a monumental running experience and undoubtedly, achievement for many runners during the 117th Boston Marathon. 

The Puget Sound running community hosted a series of Boston Strong runs over the past weekend and on Earth Day, one week after the Boston Marathon explosions. Participating cities and neighborhoods included Green Lake, Anacortes, Bellingham, Capitol Hill, Duvall, Monroe, Oak Harbor, Sammamish, Spokane, Shoreline and West Seattle. Participants were asked to wear blue and yellow to support the Boston Athletic Association and a special Boston Strong race bib, designed by Run Junkees. A crowd of runners, in various shades of blue and yellow, convened at Green Lake in Seattle at a Boston Strong run organized by Gametiime, Kinetic Sports Rehab, Super Jock 'N Jill and Oiselle. 

Their nearly-5K run on a beautiful Seattle evening embodied what the Boston Marathon represents: Strength, perseverance and above all, a supportive community. As new evidence and details of the Boston Marathon explosions unfold, runners everywhere unite and continue to run to support the the victims in any way possible. Boston Strong: Runners united to remember.       

Boston Strong Seattle runners walk toward the Green Lake remembrance run start line.

Boston Strong Seattle runners interview with local news source.

Gametiime co-founders and Boston Strong Seattle runners, post-run.