Watching many runners that were obviously strangers up to that point hug, high five, or otherwise share the joy of the moment showed how close together an experience like this can bring people.
People that paid to run in this weather file past people that volunteered to stand in it.
Even the most enthusiastic volunteers were getting ground down after a while. While this volunteer did put on a smile and congratulate runners, there were a few brief spots where the exhaustion from a long, wet day were showing through.