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Boston Marathon Runners Finally Finish

Runners carry American flags and Chinese flag as they approach finish line after completing final mile of the Boston Marathon course during "#onerun" in BostonThousands of runners and their supporters have completed the final mile of Boston Marathon, five weeks after they were interrupted when two bombs exploded near the finishing line on April 15. Three were killed and more than 260 were injured.

The event, which was organized by local running groups and businesses, was billed as OneRun with the slogan “We’ll get our finish.”

“Boston will run strong. Boston will run together. Boston will run as one,” organizers said ahead of the event.

Three American flags and one Chinese were carried by a pack of runners, in order to honor the three people who died by the finishing line, as well as the policeman that was killed days later by the two brothers thought responsible. Two of the victims of the twin bombing were American, the third was Chinese and the fourth was an MIT police officer.

OneRun spokeswoman Kathleen McGonagle said the event honored the victims and emergency services personnel who helped in the aftermath of the attack on 15 April. “For the runners that didn’t get the chance to finish the marathon, this is the chance for them to experience the final mile that was taken away from them,” she added.

Rosy Spraker, among the participants in Boston Marathon, who was only a half-mile from the finish line when the bombs exploded, said: “Somebody that thinks that they’re going to stop a marathoner from running doesn’t understand the mentality of a marathoner.”

Boston Marathon22Spraker had received a medal after the bomb attack, later at her house but was not able to wear it until the Marathon was completed: “Now I feel like I’ve earned my medal,” she said, after crossing the Boylston Street finish line. “I wanted to run for the victims, for freedom, to show the world that nothing is going to stop us,” she concluded.

Some 3,000 people participated in the Boston Marathon, as reported in the Boston Globe, and another 35 runners, who were unable to finish the Marathon, will be given a ceremonial finish at the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 27.

“The tragedy last month in Boston still resonates with everyone, so we wanted to give runners the chance to finish the race in front of thousands of fans who will appreciate their persistence and determination,” said Doug Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway chief operating officer.

“Everyone will remember the victims while also celebrating the strength and indomitable spirit of these special competitors as they cross the hallowed Yard of Bricks.”

The two brothers, 19-year-old Dzokhar and 26-year-old Tamerlan Tsarnaev, are accused of being behind the April 15 attack. Tamerlan Tsarnaev was killed in a shootout with police. Dzhokhar was captured and taken into custody after an extensive manhunt and is facing federal charges of using a weapon of mass destruction, as well as the malicious destruction of property resulting in death. He could face the death penalty if convicted.

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