New Delhi: The Boston Marathon is the world's oldest marathon. It was hit by terror on April 16. This terror attack occurred approximately two hours after the winners crossed the finish line. At least three people were killed, and over 140 people were injured. But what made the terrorist target this marathon is the significance of this event in America as it is the world's oldest annual marathon, and ranks as one of the world's best-known road racing events and attracts 500,000 spectators each year.Boston Marthon began in 1897, and from then onwards it is organized annually on the third Monday of April in Greater Boston in eastern Massachusetts. It is one of six World Marathon Majors. Since 1897, the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) has managed this event. People from all over the world participate in the Boston Marathon each year.It established a record as the world's largest marathon in 1996 with 38,708 entrants, 36,748 starters, and 35,868 finishers.For most of its history, the Boston Marathon was a free event, and the only prize awarded for winning the race was a wreath woven from olive branches.However, corporate-sponsored cash prizes began to be awarded in the 1980s, when professional athletes began to refuse to run the race without cash awards. The first cash prize for winning the marathon was awarded in 1986.Women were not allowed to enter the Boston Marathon officially until 1972. Roberta “Bobbi” Gibb is recognized as the first woman to run the entire Boston Marathon (in 1966). In 1967, Katherine Switzer, who had registered as “K. V. Switzer”, was the first woman to run with a race number. In 2011, about 43 percent of the entrants were female.In order to run in Boston Marathon a runner must first complete a standard marathon course certified by a national governing body affiliated with the International Association of Athletics Federations within a certain period of time before the date of the desired Boston Marathon.Qualifying standards for the 2013 race were tightened on February 15, 2011 by five minutes in each age-gender group for marathons run after September 23, 2011. Thus this event receives lots of preparation and arrangement from with in the Unite Stated and around the world but today's shamefull attack has made this event as an bad memory for those who have lost their loved one's thus Obama had made the announcement that culprits will be given harsh punishment.
Updated on: April 17, 2013 6:36 IST
