A Finish Line Forever Changed

Marblehead’s Adam Kingsbury set his sights on the Boston Marathon early in life. Crossing the finish line in the celebrated, world-renowned race 20 miles from his hometown would bring elation and gratification.

Now, after Monday’s running and the explosions and carnage, the line is forever changed.

It will forever remind him of how lucky he is to have friends and family.

The ending point marks sadness and inspiration.

“I think it will become a place of remembrance, as well as a spot marking our city's resilience and camaraderie in the face of terror,” Adam said.

The line is a memorial. It's a place to remember the dead and injured and traumatized.

The line is an inspiration. It was a place where first responders and citizens helped the injured and traumatized, putting their lives and well being at risk.

Adam, who works as a food safety specialist and is a graduate school student at Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition and Science policy,  has run three marathons now. 

He ran Philadelphia’s twice and he ran last week in Boston.

In high school he traveled to Boston and watched the throng of humanity pound over the course and he dreamed of running it.

His dream was fed by Marblehead High coaches, Mr. Heenan and Mr. Crowley, who instilled a love for running distances and made it fun.

He also drew inspiration from James Green of Marblehead, who came in third in the Boston Marathon in the early 1960's.

Adam would run the Boston Marathon again.

What happened Monday can't be erased by the knowledge that two suspects are off the streets.

Too many qyuestion remain unanswered, he said.

And what happened Monday will always be in the back of his mind.