The city of Boston did not disappoint.
Thousands of supporters lined the sun-soaked, 26.2-mile route to cheer on roughly 36,000 runners — the second-largest field in the race’s history behind the Boston Marathon’s 100th anniversary in 1996.
These supporters witnessed history at the finish line, as Meb Keflezighi crossed the finish line in 2:08:37 to become the first American male to win the Boston Marathon since Greg Meyer in 1983.
Kenya’s Rita Jeptoo captured the women’s title and set a new course record with a time of 2:18:57.
Most importantly, the 2014 Marathon gave thousands of Bostonians the chance to take back their beloved race and show their support for the record field.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@GlobeMarathon