2019 Boston Marathon: Thousands of runners cross the finish line

BOSTON — Thousands of runners have crossed the finish line so far for the 123rd Boston Marathon.

Runners and spectators started the day with wet weather. Race organizers say they've made additional plans to protect runners and spectators from wet weather. But by late morning, conditions greatly improved.

The 123rd Boston Marathon officially kicked off at 9:02 a.m. with the men's wheelchair division. The elite women's start was at 9:32 a.m., the elite men’s start was at 10 a.m. followed by four waves of runners.

This year's race marked the first time the Boston Marathon falls on April 15, the 6th anniversary of the 2013 Marathon bombings. Announcers will pause for a "moment of reflection and remembrance" at 2:49 p.m. A memorial on Boylston Street is expected to be unveiled this summer.

Also drawing attention during the race, an American Flag was placed on the ground during the Men's Wheelchair Award Ceremony. The Boston Athletic Association has since apologized for the mishap and issued this statement:

"The Boston Athletic Association apologizes sincerely for the nature in which our Men's Wheelchair Award Ceremony was held," the statement said. "We are reviewing our Awards protocol to ensure that this does not happen again. The Boston Marathon has been an American tradition for more than a century and we take pride in the passion and determination that participants, spectators, and volunteers from around the world display at our annual event. Our flag is a symbol of freedom, unity, and community spirit — all of which are virtues that the Boston Athletic Association supports."

For many, the day was bittersweet, as it marked the sixth anniversary of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings.

Rebekah Gregory, who survived the horrific marathon bombings six years ago, booked her plane ticket to Boston four days ago.

“I don’t think we will ever feel normal again. Normalcy is out the window," said Gregory, a mother from Texas who lost a lower portion of her left leg when one of the bombs exploded just three feet away from her and her then 5-year-old son Noah, who was shielded from the blast.

"I chose to be as thankful and grateful as possible because my little boy is still here. He’s 11 and he’s thriving," said Gregory, who faced more than 60 surgeries in her physical recovery.

On Monday, while on the sidelines of the 2019 Boston Marathon, she cheered on those running for her charity, Rebekah's Angels, which helps kids like her son deal with trauma.

Latest updates:

2:49 p.m.: A bell ringing and moment of remembrance was held at 2:49 p.m. to mark the 6th anniversary of the Marathon bombings.

1:43 p.m.: Boston Emergency Medical Services say 500 runners have already been treated.

12:10 p.m.: Lawrence Cherono of Kenya wins the 2019 Boston Marathon elite men's race.

11:57 a.m.: Workneh Degefa wins the 2019 Boston Marathon women's elite race.

10:39 a.m.: Manuela Schar of Switzerland wins 2019 Boston Marathon women's push-rim wheelchair race.

10:27 a.m.: Daniel Romanchuk is the winner of the men's push rim division. The BAA says the 20-year-old is the youngest push rim athlete to win and the first American since 1993.

9:02 a.m. - The 123rd Boston Marathon is underway!

The day also saw its share of Boston Strong stories.

A man ran in honoro of his fiancee, Wendy Martinez, who was training for the Boston Marathon when she was brutally murdered in Washington, D.C. seven months ago.

"It was hard but at the same time it was really amazing," said Daniel Hincapie of the race.

Hincapie was in tears after crossing the finish line.

"I think about her and Wendy pushing me, saying 'Keep going, keep going, you got this.' And I'm doing this for her and I know I have to be strong for her and what she represents and for all the people running out there, that they shouldn’t be afraid," he said.

Hincapie had just proposed to Martinez in September, about a week before she was stabbed to death while running near her home in Washington, D.C.

"All the way she was running right next to me," Hincapie said.

8:50 a.m. - Officials are reminding spectators and the general public: "If you see something, say something.

7:12 a.m. - Boston Marathon organizers are sheltering race participants due to heavy downpours and storms rolling through.

6:43 a.m. - 

5:47 a.m. - Severe storms are moving through the greater Boston area but should wind down between 8 and 9 a.m.

4:00 a.m. - 

Marathon stories

By the numbers

• 30,349 total entrants (16,645 men and 13,704 women)
• 4,927 entrants from Massachusetts
• 22,691 entrants residing in the U.S.
• 7,658 entrants from outside the U.S.
• 118 countries represented by participants in the Boston Marathon
• All 50 U.S. states represented by participants in the Boston Marathon

Getting to the Marathon

The MBTA will operate on weekday schedules with rush-hour service on all subway lines before and after the Marathon. Here's a map of MBTA stops along the route:

Here's a PDF map you can save to your phone.

For more information on the marathon route and travel tips check out the MBTA's Boston Marathon Guide.

Many street closures and parking restrictions will be in place. See the complete list here.

Course map | Results | Track a runner | Leaderboard | Spectator guide

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