boston

2018 Boston Marathon

Marathon Monday is finally here, but this one was bound to be different than recent memory. Typically, runners and spectators are getting with the sunshine and warmth of a spring day. Not this year though. With temperatures in the low 40s, driving rain, and wind, today looked very challenging for the runners. The crowds showed up at their usual spots, albeit a bit less in number, but still equally ready to get soaked and cheer on the competitors. There were some great races and lead changes in the last few miles of the course.

Des Linden (USA) won the women's race and Yuki Kawauchi (Japan) won the men's.

Des Linden powering through mile 24 - she went on to be the first American woman to win since 1985.

Des Linden powering through mile 24 - she went on to be the first American woman to win since 1985.

Des took the lead at mile 22 and never let up.

Des took the lead at mile 22 and never let up.

Gladys Chesir was in the lead pack for most of the race and was in second place at this time.

Gladys Chesir was in the lead pack for most of the race and was in second place at this time.

In the mens race, Geoffrey Kirui was in the lead by more than 1 minute at mile 24, although the conditions caught up to him in the final few miles.

In the mens race, Geoffrey Kirui was in the lead by more than 1 minute at mile 24, although the conditions caught up to him in the final few miles.

Kirui was tiring as Kawauchi was cutting into the lead. He would go on to finish second.

Kirui was tiring as Kawauchi was cutting into the lead. He would go on to finish second.

Yuki Kawauchi of Japan was about 1 minute off the leader pace at mile 24, but made an incredible effort towards the finish to win the men's division.

Yuki Kawauchi of Japan was about 1 minute off the leader pace at mile 24, but made an incredible effort towards the finish to win the men's division.

Kawauchi was the first Japanese man to win since 1987.

Kawauchi was the first Japanese man to win since 1987.

Americans Sarah Sellers, Rachel Hyland, and Nicole Dimercurio placed second, fourth, and sixth.

Americans Sarah Sellers, Rachel Hyland, and Nicole Dimercurio placed second, fourth, and sixth.

Krista Duchensne of Canada made up ground and finished in third.

Krista Duchensne of Canada made up ground and finished in third.

Massachusetts local Shalane Flanagan running by on her way to a seventh place finish.

Massachusetts local Shalane Flanagan running by on her way to a seventh place finish.

Edna Kiplagat, defending Boston Marathon champion of Kenya, placed ninth.

Edna Kiplagat, defending Boston Marathon champion of Kenya, placed ninth.

Hiroko Yoshitomi of Japan finished tenth.

Hiroko Yoshitomi of Japan finished tenth.

 

 

Scenes from the 2017 Boston Marathon

The 121st running of the Boston Marathon was another incredible Patriots Day in Massachusetts. It was a warm race for the runners, with temperatures in the high 70s and strong sun in the morning. Viewing the race from mile 24, so many good-willed fans cheered along the runners down the final stretch of the course towards Boston. Katherine Switzer made her return to the race 50 years after she was the first woman to run the Marathon in 1967. She wore her original bib number 261. In all, Marathon Monday brought out the best in people to make for an amazing day.

Edna Kipligat, #1 women's division.

Edna Kipligat, #1 women's division.

Rose Chelimo, #2 women's division.

Rose Chelimo, #2 women's division.

Jordan Hasay, #3 women's division.

Jordan Hasay, #3 women's division.

Geoffrey Kirui, #1 men's division.

Geoffrey Kirui, #1 men's division.

Galen Rupp, #2 men's division.

Galen Rupp, #2 men's division.

Meb Keflezighi, #13 men's division and winner of the 2014 Boston Marathon.

Meb Keflezighi, #13 men's division and winner of the 2014 Boston Marathon.

Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to ever run the Boston Marathon 50 years ago, with her original bib number 261.

Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to ever run the Boston Marathon 50 years ago, with her original bib number 261.

Fans cheered from early morning all through the afternoon.

Fans cheered from early morning all through the afternoon.

By mid-day at mile 24, it was sunny and in the 70s, making it a tough last few miles.

By mid-day at mile 24, it was sunny and in the 70s, making it a tough last few miles.

Some runners got a boost of energy from the crowds.

Some runners got a boost of energy from the crowds.

Cruising downhill.

Cruising downhill.

Anxiously awaiting the first wave of runners to arrive in Brookline.

Anxiously awaiting the first wave of runners to arrive in Brookline.

A runner from Alaska taking high-fives from the crowd.

A runner from Alaska taking high-fives from the crowd.

Personalized cowbells bring fun and energy along the route. 

Personalized cowbells bring fun and energy along the route. 

February Snow Day

Most of New England is staying warm inside their homes today due to the snow storm. It reminded me of winter storm Nemo - turns out it is exactly 4 years ago to the day when we received about 25 inches in the Boston area! Here's a scene from Coolidge Corner when roads were closed and trains had stopped running, so residents were free to cross-country ski and walk anywhere in the aftermath of the storm.

Harvest Moon 2016

The Harvest Moon this year was on September 16th, when the moon is closest to the earth. I was on the way home from work and decided to stop at a location with a view to the east to frame the Boston skyline.

The moon began rising a bit north of the city and there were some hazy clouds moving through. Although I wasn't in a great position to get the shot I wanted with the Boston skyline, it was still fun to watch the show. There were a lot of people enjoying the view at the same time and when most started to pack up and walk away (myself included), a fireworks show began right under the rising moon!