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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio)— After 18 months of waiting, runners are anxious and excited for the return of the Boston Marathon this upcoming Monday.
The pandemic canceled the race in 2020, but this year it only delayed the marathon until October. One runner, Diana Bogantes, was supposed to run in 2020 and was disappointed the marathon was canceled but understood why.
"We all understood what the situation was," Bogantes told WBZ's Mike Macklin. "When it was postponed to October of this year it just gave me more time to train."
Bogantes, a native of Costa Rica, ran the Boston Marathon in 2019 and said she was happy to be back in Boston for the marathon. She also said it was scary to run knowing that COVID is not completely under control but felt safer knowing the Boston Athletic Association was requiring runners to be vaccinated or test negative for COVID.
Read More: COVID Safety Top Priority At 2021 Boston Marathon
Lyndsey Devers had run three other marathons prior to signing up for the 2020 Boston Marathon. The South Boston native said the 18-month wait helped her prepare better for the race.
"I think it helped build this level of perseverance within me," she said. "It's been a long two years but every turn is something towards something great."
Devers said she's ecstatic to finally get the chance to run the Boston Marathon and said she expects tears of excitement and joy when she finishes the race.
"I can't even fathom the level of internal strength that I will feel when I cross the finish line," Devers said.
WBZ's Mike Macklin has more from the finish line.
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