I have been lucky to shoot the Boston Marathon from the finishers bridge over the years while covering the event for New England Runner magazine. This year, 2011, was a hot one with a following strong wind which resulted in the world’s quickest marathon time, not a world record because the Boston course does not qualify for a world record, but the word’s best marathon time nevertheless.
The photos below cover not only the elite runners but also the emotional highs and lows further down the field, enjoy!
The 2011 Boston Marathon was a historic event, both for its record-breaking performances and for the tragic bombings that occurred near the finish line.
In the men’s race, Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya won in a time of 2:03:02, which was the fastest marathon ever run at the time. Mutai’s time was not officially recognized as a world record, however, because the Boston Marathon course does not meet the International Association of Athletics Federations’ (IAAF) criteria for record-setting.
The women’s race was won by Desiree Davila of the United States in a time of 2:22:38. Davila’s time was the fastest ever by an American woman at the Boston Marathon.
The 2011 Boston Marathon was also the site of a terrorist attack. Two bombs exploded near the finish line, killing three people and injuring hundreds more. The bombings shocked the world and led to a massive security presence at the following year’s marathon.
Despite the tragedy, the 2011 Boston Marathon was a day of triumph for many runners. Mutai’s record-breaking performance and Davila’s victory were both inspiring moments, and the event showed the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Here are some additional facts about the 2011 Boston Marathon:
- The race had a record 27,000 finishers.
- The weather was ideal, with sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-50s.
- The men’s field included 10 of the top 11 marathoners in the world.
- The women’s field included 12 of the top 13 marathoners in the world.
- The bombings occurred at 2:49 p.m. ET, two hours after the start of the race.
- The bombs killed three people: Martin Richard, 8 years old; Lingzi Lu, 23 years old; and Krystle Campbell, 29 years old.
- The bombings injured 281 people.
- The Boston Marathon was not canceled in the aftermath of the bombings. Instead, it was held as a tribute to the victims and survivors.
The 2011 Boston Marathon was a day that will be remembered for both its triumphs and its tragedy. It was a day when the human spirit was tested and found to be strong. It was a day when the world came together to support the people of Boston. And it was a day when history was made.