Boston Marathon, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Patriot's Day in Massachusetts commemorates the beginning of the American Revolution in 1775 - but perhaps even more famously it hosts the world renowned Boston Marathon.

The Boston Marathon is about tradition (this is the 117th event), and mental determination, dedication, athletic prowess, focus, and training and then, on race day, it's about each and every athlete pushing his or her self  to an extraordinarily high level of accomplishment.  It's about an honorable challenge, to complete the 26.2 mile Boston Marathon, and the requisite extraordinary drive and  will to run those miles against thousands of other equally motivated competitors.

The sidewalk crowd at the finish line seems to be either looking up at the television monitor to see how close the runners are or, looking down at their cellphones.

Massachusetts' Governor Deval Patrick (lower left) stands in the VIP section anticipating the imminent arrival of the winners.

Although the Boston Marathon is a bigger-than-life event with many thousands of racers, it's really more about the thousands of individual triumphs and personal bests and, the hundreds of volunteers in the infrastructure who make it all work smoothly.  These folks are readying the mylar blankets for the runners.

Just past the finish line, this tent is normally the refuge of racers who need some medical attention at the end of the race.  Sadly, it became an onsite emergency treatment area following the nearby blasts.

Figuring out where to find your clothes, your bus, and your family and friends is part of the logistical challenge of this event made efficient by the many yellow jacketed volunteers.

Many spectators brought their dogs - this small one was better off on shoulders than underfoot.

The look on their faces really tells the story better than my words............

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And this runner's face pretty much sums it up -  her look of sheer joy and exhilaration just seconds after crossing the finish line.

 The 2013 Boston Marathon is not about the lunatic acts of criminal elements. It is about the human drama and indomitable spirit within us all to pursue and complete a difficult challenge.