


“And that all kind of came to an abrupt stop.” “We were having so much fun,” said Mike Remy, a member of the Pioneers Run Crew.

Within the next hour or so, there were more than a dozen police officers on bikes creating a human barricade between the race course and the supporters, plus numerous police officers on motorcycles observing on the adjacent road behind the run crew. Social media videos show a DJ spinning tracks and supporters cheering, dancing, firing confetti cannons, and occasionally giving high-fives to oncoming runners as they ran over Heartbreak Hill.īut by 11:15 A.M., police arrived on bikes while responding to three complaints about spectators encroaching on the course. This year, the group was joined by the TrailblazHers Run Co., a Boston-based all-women’s running group aimed at creating space for BIPOC women in running. The Massachusetts-based Pioneers Run Crew has been supporting runners from that spot with spirited, high-energy enthusiasm for the past five years. Immediately after the race, social media exploded with angst and displeasure about how police surrounded a run support crew near the 21-mile mark adjacent to Heartbreak Hill. The Policing of the Pioneers Run Club Cheer Squad (Photo: Courtesy Pioneers Run Crew) Here are 10 key stories that are resonating in the days after the race. But it wasn’t all sunshine and roses, after a disturbing yet-unresolved incident between race supporters and police emerged during the latter half of the race. Not only did it produce two of the most memorable professional races in history, it also honored the victims, survivors, and first responders of the horrific 2013 terrorist bombing incidents. This article is part of Outside Run’s complete 2023 Boston Marathon race coverage.Īfter the rain and clouds cleared on April 17, in Boston, the 127th running of the Boston Marathon was hailed by many participants, spectators, and observers as one of the best ever.
