Annual race honors Martin Richard’s memory ahead of 10-year anniversary of Boston Marathon bombings

BRIGHTON, Mass. — The fifth annual MR8K was held Sunday in Brighton in memory of 8-year-old Martin Richard, who was one of three people murdered in the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013.

More than one thousand runners were registered to participate in the 5-mile race.

Martin would’ve turned 18 years old back in June, meaning his friends and classmates are now old enough to run the Boston Marathon. Many of them plan to run the marathon this spring, on the 10-year anniversary of his death.

“It’s really special to be able to run for him in his honor,” said Martin’s friend and former classmate Jack Burke, who is running the marathon for the first time in April. “He’d be happy to see everyone coming together and really showing his message.” Jack will run alongside Martin’s older brother and MR8 Tribute Team Captain Henry Martin this April. Henry finished his first Boston Marathon in 2022 after delays due to the pandemic.

“It was great, that moment had been years in the making for me,” said Henry. “This one coming up is going to be very special. We have a great team. There are so many familiar faces with us, some former friends, former classmates, teachers.”

Sunday’s 8K race kicked off the team’s training season and served as their first team run.

“We’re here all running really for Martin, and all the things that he kind of believed in,” said Bill Richard, Martin’s Father. “He was such a young kid, he was wise beyond his years.”

To learn more about the Martin Richard Foundation and to support their mission of inclusion, kindness, justice and peace, click here.

“When you lose someone, your hope is that, we just want him to be able to live a whole life through others,” said Bill Richard. “Everyone has really picked up that mantle.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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