The Boston Marathon — a historic and challenging race that shows off a runner’s strength and endurance. This year’s winners were Evans Chebet for the men’s — with a time of 2:05:04 — and Hellen Obiri for the women’s — running a time of 2:21:38. Both times were extremely impressive, especially for Obiri who had never run the Boston Marathon before. While the audience was in awe at the talent of the top winners this year, audience members from around the world also saw this race from a new point of view.
Boston-Marathon-Tok?
Many runners from the 127th Boston Marathon filmed their training leading up to the marathon, the morning of the race and the race itself to post on TikTok. These amateur runners — some of whom had run a marathon before and others who hadn’t — took over the TikTok “For You Page” to show off their true passion for running.
One of the star runners of Boston-Marathon-Tok was Mike Beeman — who has now run the Boston Marathon 46 times in a row. Beeman sported his “I heart Wellesley College” tank top throughout the race. Then, at the 21 mile mark, Beeman took off that tank top to reveal his “I heart Boston College” one. Both tank tops were signed by his students and members of the cross country team that he coaches.
Other TikTok runners chronicled what they put in their bags before the race. Many showed off their variety of energy gels, snacks and electrolyte formulas. One in particular, Audrey Gruber — an avid TikTok runner — posted her practicing her food and electrolyte hand off in the hallway of the hotel she was staying at.
Aside from her hand off practice, Gruber had her sister post content of her throughout the race — keeping fans up to date with how she was progressing.
These TikTok runners have even inspired viewers to get up and run themselves. Some TikTokers can be seen lacing-up and going outside for a run after watching the Boston Marathon TikTokers — whether its to train for a race or just to try it out.
Fans at the Race
Even the fans at the race took the opportunity to post their favorite moments on TikTok. Many posted moments of kindness: strangers helping each other up, couples holding hands throughout the race and the crowds cheering the racers on throughout all 26.2 miles. Fans were cheering throughout the entirety of the course, including students from Boston College, Boston University, Wellesley College and other surrounding schools.
Though the Boston Marathon highlights some of the best athletes and runners, this event has become a day of strength, love and kindness among the runners and the fans.
Did you keep up with the Boston Marathon runners on TikTok? Let us know by tweeting us, @VALLEYmag, on Twitter!
