Sean Cremins, 20
Chestnut Hill
I don’t know exactly where I was when it happened–somewhere after Heartbreak Hill, where I saw all the people I knew and loved near Boston College. What I do know is I was going to finish that marathon. What I do know is my father and cousin were waiting for me at the finish line. What I do know is when I found out it happened, I didn’t want to believe it happened, that I might not be able to taste victory. What I do know is those waiting for me at the finish line were close to the explosions, and I’m lucky to have them alive and unharmed, but the gravity of that situation didn’t have an impact on me for days. I don’t know if I’ll ever run Boston again, if I’ll ever cross the finish line, but what I do know about its 117th running is that it’s a tragedy that touched me, and one that both I as an individual and we as a city can never forget.
—As told to Boston magazine. Photo by Scott M. Lacey