Thousands run first Boston Marathon since bombings

Martin Fierro carries a "Boston Strong" banner across the finish line during the 118th running of the Boston Marathon in Boston, Massachusetts April 21, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

BOSTON - Nearly 32,000 runners set out from the Boston Marathon starting line with security tight along the 26.2-mile (42-kilometer) course Monday, in a show of resilience a year after the bombing that turned the race into a scene of carnage.

To the delight of many in the crowd, an American won the men's division for the first time in more than three decades, dominating a field that included many athletes who were prevented from finishing last year. Eritrean-American Meb Keflizighi, a former New York City Marathon champion and Olympic medalist, won the men's title in 2 hours, 8 minutes, 37 seconds. Cheers rose up as word of the first American man to win in Boston since 1983 spread through the pack of runners.

Keflizighi had the names of last year's victims written in black marker on the corners of his race bib.

Last year, the two pressure-cooker bombs that went off near the finish line killed three people and wounded more than 260 in a hellish spectacle of torn limbs, smoke and broken glass.

Police were deployed in force along the route, with helicopters circling above and bomb-sniffing dogs checking through trash cans. Officers were posted on roofs.

Boston Marathon race director Dave McGillivray said it had been a long and difficult year.

"We're taking back our race,"he said. "We're taking back the finish line."

At 2:49 p.m., the time the bombs went off, spectators observed a moment of silence at the finish line. It was followed by some of the loudest cheers of the day as people whooped, clapped and rang cowbells.

A total of 35,755 athletes were registered to run - the second-largest field in its history, with many coming to show support for the event and the city that was traumatized by the attack on its signature sporting event.

"I can't imagine the number of emotions that are going to be there,"said Katie O'Donnell, who was stopped less than a mile from the end last year. "I think I'm going to start crying at the starting line, and I'm not sure I'll stop until I cross the finish line."

Buses bearing the message "Boston Strong"dropped off runners at the starting line in the town of Hopkinton. A banner on one building read: "You are Boston Strong. You Earned This."

Among the signs lining the end of the route was one paying tribute to 8-year-old Martin Richard, the youngest of those killed in the bombing.

"No more hurting people. Peace,"read the sign. A photograph of Martin holding a poster he made for school with those words was published after his death.