Boston Marathon 2018
Pedicabs and Dump Truck
With dump trucks blocking the main streets in the Boston Marathon vicinity, pedicabs were the only option besides walking that were allowed in the area. They weren't shy about letting you know that, either.
One Shot
Most of the elements of the 2018 Boston Marathon can be found in this one scene. Cold, wet conditions that didn't deter a great turnout by spectators and runners alike; classic downtown Boston scenery; and a heavy security presence that left most streets empty of all but foot traffic.
Wind and Rain
The wind and rain were relentless. When it wasn't pouring, it was stinging mist; a gentle breeze could turn into a sudden gust powerful enough to make a person stumble or fall. Most of the time, both wind and rain were steady and persistent.
Spectating
A Jumbotron was set up near the finish line and the crowds were gathered there to watch the progress of the race. At this point, American Tatyana McFadden had won the wheelchair division moments earlier and the eventual women's race winner Desi Linden had just taken the lead.
The Best Finish Line Ever
Spectators, volunteers, medical staff, race officials, and media crowd together at the finish line on Boylston street. No matter the weather conditions, running across the blue and gold finish line is one of the greatest experiences any runner can have.
Medics
Medical staff watch for ailing runners near the finish line. In the cold, wet conditions this year, hypothermia was a big concern and the medical staff were working extra to take care of runners in need.
Always Get the Shot
Crew and cameras were waterproofed as best they could. Even the pro photographers with weather resistant camera bodies and all-weather lenses had their gear wrapped against the wind-driven rain. CBS Sports was no exception.
Volunteer Colony
Like a colony of nesting seabirds, a tightly packed group of volunteers stand ready with finisher's medals to hand out to runners as they pass.
No Matter What
While spectator numbers were down somewhat compared to other years, tens of thousands of people still turned out all along the marathon course and at the finish line. Many stood in ankle-deep puddles for hours waiting for their runner to come through, or even to simply cheer for strangers.
Support Team
The volunteer support at the race was impressive. This group of volunteers were keeping an eye out for runners that looked like they might need support or medical assistance, and then getting them to the appropriate teams. Others were giving directions to spectators, or handing out medals, water bottles, and heat wraps.
Done
An early finisher takes the walk down the line of volunteers handing out water bottles, heat wraps, and snack bags. Later on, dozens of finishers would come through both sides of the chute simultaneously and crowd the area.
Race is Over, But Not the Rain
A few runners were either carrying their own mylar emergency blanks or had one handed to them by spectators before they even received the official heat wrap. Under the conditions, the notoriously long walk from Copley Square to the gear pickup area felt even longer for many.
Wet
Wet runners. Wet volunteers. Wet roads. Wet tents. Everything was wet. If nothing else, the two themes of the 2018 Boston Marathon were surprise winners and wet.
Champion
Luis Calo of Ecuador and his guide runner finished the Boston Marathon in an official time of 2:48:01 and won the men's visually impaired division.
Tears
Veronica Jackson of Weehawken, New Jersey, finished in 2:49:41 and placed 13th in the women's division.
End of the Walk
The walk from the finish line at Copley Square to the gear pickup and family meeting area is infamous for being long. Medical staff were stationed along the length of the trip and many were staying busy. The medical tents at both ends of the walk were full, with staff running it and out continuously.
Meet Your Runner
Spectators got to participate in the run, whether they planned on it or not. After watching their runner finish, the route for spectators to get from the finish line to the family meeting area was even longer than that for runners and required going through multiple security checkpoints. Seeing spectators running down the car-free streets was not uncommon as the race progressed.
Photogenic
Some people like having their photo taken. This man was one of them. Once you've stood in the rain for hours on end, you can choose to be miserable or enthusiastic. He chose the latter.
Fighting the Chill
A runner stops to talk to volunteers while fighting back the chill that quickly set in as runners' bodies cooled from their exertion.
March of the Silver Penguins
A parade of silver-wrapped runners march awkwardly and painfully through the long chute, heading next to get a bag of post-race snacks. Many runners had the same painful, tight quadricep shuffle that set in almost immediately after they stopped running.
Taking It In
Some runners checked their phones as soon as they finished, others marched with a dead-eyed stare past the volunteers, but a few stopped for a moment to take in the moment.
Warm Her Up
Medical staff quickly move to wrap a cold and wet runner and get her to the aid tent. While not uncommon to see runners needing medical assistance after marathons, the conditions definitely led to a much higher than normal number of ailing runners.
Smile, You've Just Finished the Boston Marathon
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.
Some Volunteered, Some Paid for It
People that paid to run in this weather file past people that volunteered to stand in it.
Here's Your Water
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.
Where's My Runner?
A common scene near the finish line were spectators frantically glancing between the official BAA app sending them updates on their runner's status and the crowds of runners coming through the finish line. No one wanted to miss their runner come through, but it was difficult at best to spot individual runners in the later crowds.