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Four runners carry Adam Hurst down Boylston Street after his legs locked up during the 118th running of the Boston Marathon in Boston, Massachusetts in this April 21, 2014 file photo. I was positioned near the Forum restaurant in case anything significant happened at the time and place of last year's second bomb attack. I heard the crowd starting to make noise and noticed a man struggling but still standing, legs locked after just having passed 26 miles. The cheers from the sidelines were louder than anything I had heard all day, urging him on, but his body wouldn't cooperate. That's when a man, I think David Meyer, stopped his run and offered help. Four runners decided to each take one of Hurst's limbs and haul him closer to the line. The moment Hurst's feet came off the ground the spectators erupted in a cheer and they set off faster than I was able to keep up with them on the sidewalk. Both as a journalist and a runner it mattered to me whether he finished on his own legs or theirs, but most importantly I knew it mattered to Hurst. The last thing I wanted was for him to see my picture published saying he didn't carry himself over that line.
Some folks have pointed out that this sort of moment is almost commonplace in marathons, and that's partly true. But just because what happened that day on Boylston Street isn't unprecedented doesn't mean it isn't special. The moment I was fortunate to witness sums up so much of what I love about this city, this sport, and this event in particular. (Photo and caption by Dominick Reuter/Reuters)
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