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Henry Richard crossed the finish line at the Boston Marathon for the first time this year. He did so with tears in his eyes and triumphant fists raised to the sky - the names of his siblings written on his arms. His brother, Martin, was the youngest killed by the bombing in 2013, and his sister, Jane, sustained an injury that resulted in the loss of one of her legs. Henry capped off his finish with an emotional family group hug felt throughout Boston and by everyone watching.
Henry's running jersey read MR8 (his brother's initials) and “Peace,” a callback to a sign Martin previously held that read, “No more hurting people. Peace.” This short and direct call to action for everyone to respect the humanity in one another is now the foremost value of the Martin Richard Foundation. The Richard family knows all too well the effects of senseless violence in our world and works to help young people open their minds and celebrate each other's differences so we can collectively move toward the ultimate goal - Peace.
This past Boston Marathon marked the 9th anniversary since the tragedy of 2013's marathon. So much of our collective healing from this attack comes in the form of remembering the victims and hurt of that day, and uniting to form a strong community of support. Nowhere is this clearer than in the ways that the Boston has banded together to uplift survivors and families affected by this harrowing day. Just as those lost will always be remembered, the city has proved that it will stay forever #BostonStrong.
For more information about the Martin Richard Foundation and ways to support and get involved, check out their website here.
For more ways to Run It Forward, check out our Virtual Races - each registration supports a great cause!