Hundreds Attend Boston Marathon Tribute Run at West Hartford Fleet Feet

One week after bomb explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon took the lives of three spectators and injured 170 others, runners gathered at Fleet Feet Sports in West Hartford for a tribute run and fundraiser for The One Fund Boston.

"I am overwhelmed and completely in awe of how amazing the running community is," said Steph Blozy, owner of Fleet Feet, when she realized how many area residents planned to attend the tribute. 

Blozy had originally ordered 100 "Runners for Boston" t-shirts, which were given to anyone who made a donation of $20 or more to "The One Fund Boston," but after more than 150 RSVP'd to the Facebook event and many more contacted her, Blozy upped the order to 400. All the shirts were gone by the end of the night and Blozy plans to place another order.

Runners of all ages and abilities congregated outside Fleet Feet at 6 p.m. Monday to participate in the run/walk, which began with a half-mile loop through West Hartford Center. They were led by four American flag bearers and with each street along the loop dedicated to race volunteers, spectators, first responders, and runners.

Participants, many dressed in Boston Marathon clothing or colors, were not just from West Hartford but were from the Hartford area and beyond. "The whole state is coming out," Blozy said.

Kevin Rice of Manchester ran in the first wave of last Monday's Boston Marathon, and was part of the Hartford Track Club group anxiously awaiting news about West Hartford marathoner Christine Brooks, who they feared was finishing the race just as the bombs went off. 

"It feels great," Rice said of Monday's tribute. "This is such a great sign of solidarity and community support, and we need to continue to be who we are. We can't let this affect what we do and our community. I think there's still a need to be vigilant but this can't change us," he said.

After completing the half-mile loop, the 400-plus runners gathered again in front of Fleet Feet for a rousing group sing of Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" before heading out for an additional two, three, or four miles.

Blozy said she thought Monday's event raised close to $10,000 for The One Fund Boston.