After the tragedy of April 15, 2013, the runners of the Boston Marathon came back stronger than ever in 2014. Participants in the 118th Boston Marathon raised a record $38.4 million for charity, the Boston Athletic Association announced Tuesday, nearly doubling the 2013 total of $20 million.
"This year's Boston Marathon was like no other that we have witnessed," B.A.A. executive director Tom Grilk said in a statement. "... The 2014 Boston Marathon will go down in history as a special day for the sport, for the City of Boston and for unprecedented fundraising, all benefiting local charities."
"The world bore witness to the resilience of the Boston community and the true spirit of the Marathon this year," added Craig Bromley, president of John Hancock, one of the marathon's primary sponsors. "The Boston Marathon will forever be defined by compassion, courage, competition, and extraordinary generosity. We are proud of our partnership with the B.A.A. and join them in congratulating our charitable partners for raising an unprecedented amount of funds to support their important missions."
The 2014 marathon also featured one of the largest fields in its history, as the total of roughly 36,000 registered runners was second only to the 100th anniversary race in 1996.
Registration for the 2015 Boston Marathon begins Sept. 8.
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