The Boston Marathon 2014 gets underway on Monday, and this year's event is expected to become one of the most emotion-filled races in history.
The 118th edition of the Boston Marathon began with a heartfelt tribute to the victim of last year's bombing near the finish line. A moment of silence was observed before the race for the mobility-impaired participants, which started at 9:00 a.m. EST.
According to reports, 35,755 runners have entered this year's race, which is said to be the second-biggest number of participants in the event's history - and most runners reportedly just signed up to show support to the event and victims of last year's deadly bombing.
Katie O'Donnell, one of the runners who failed to finish last year's marathon after bombs exploded when she was still a mile away from the finish line, said that this year's race will be very emotional for her.
"I can't imagine the number of emotions that are going to be there," O'Donnell said. "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."
As expected, this year's event will be under heavy security as reports indicated that local and state police were deployed almost everywhere, including rooftops of several establishments within the race area.
Despite the heightened security, reports said that spectators were in festive mood on Monday morning.
"Despite heightened security, the mood was festive at the finish line on Boylston Street. Spontaneous applause broke out as a group of Boston police officers walked near the site of last year's twin bombing," AP noted, via ESPN.
The race will be shown live by the Universal Sports Network from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EST. Fans around the world can also catch the event through live stream via the Boston Athletic Association and Universal Sports Network websites.
The marathon will start on Main Street in Hopkinton and will run 26.2 miles up to Boylston Street near Copley Square. The full course map is available via BAA.org along with qualifying times and race results.
