Photos: Midnight Marathon Bike Ride 2016

While you were sleeping, hundreds of cyclists biked the Boston Marathon route.

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Dan Wiese of Cambridge, Mass., lifts his bike in triumph after finishing the 26.2 mile ride. / Photo by Allie Wimley

While most Bostonians were tucked in for the night, thousands of cyclists had a different idea—participating in the 2016 Midnight Marathon Bike Ride. For the eighth year running, bicyclists made their way out to the starting line in Hopkinton to traverse the course in the wee hours of the morning.

Riders began rolling across the finish around 1 a.m., with crowds getting larger around 2 a.m. Over 3,000 cyclists participated this year, tripling the turnout since last year and making 2016 the largest ride yet. Cyclists spanned all ages, with hundreds gathering around the finish line to take photos in front of the famous finish line. As music played from bikers’ speakers, and many lifted their bikes in triumph, the excitement was palpable.

“Look around, everyone has got a smile on their face,” David Patch said. “Everyone just kicked their butt and is loving it.”

Check our photos from the Midnight Marathon Bike Ride below.

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Patrick Hammer of Dyer, Indiana, lifts his bike at the finish line. / Photo by Allie Wimley

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Doug Brown and his riding buddy Burton (the bear), named after New Hampshire politician Ray Burton, smile for a photo at the finish. / Photo by Allie Wimley

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Vincent Chahley writes words of encouragement for his friend Hillary, running the Marathon the next day. / Photo by Allie Wimley

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Riders gather at the finish line after completing the 26.2 mile ride. / Photo by Allie Wimley

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(Top, from left) Scott Middleton, Alyssa Solomon (bottom, from left), Sarah Schoenfeldt, and Brian Mackenzie of the company Bike and Build pose for a selfie at the finish line. “It’s a great community, “ Mackenzie said. “It’s not every day you get to ride with 1,000 other people.” / Photo by Allie Wimley

Carrie Nielsen of Mansfield, Mass. donned fairy wings and a tutu for her ride. / Photo by Allie Wimley

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Aleks Zosuls with his dolphin bike, inspired by his occupation as a biomedical engineer specializing in hearing in marine animals. / Photo by Allie Wimley

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(From left) Katie Smyth, Ben Gebo, and Becca Smith pose for a selfie at the finish line. / Photo by Allie Wimley

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(From left) Ulysses Sallum and David Haines exchange smiles after completing the ride. / Photo by Allie Wimley

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Many riders headed to Boston Common Coffee Co. after the ride for a charity pancake breakfast, with proceeds going to the Tyler Foundation. / Photo by Allie Wimley

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Mike Trider enjoys a plate of pancakes at Boston Common Coffee Co. at the post-ride charity breakfast. Proceeds went to the Tyler Foundation. / Photo by Allie Wimley

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Mitchell Lowe of Ipswich, Mass., snaps a photo of the finish line after completing the course. / Photo by Allie Wimley

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Riders gather at the finish line after completing the Marathon course. / Photo by Allie Wimley

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Riders celebrate after completing the 26.2 mile course. / Photo by Allie Wimley