[Banfield:] In the weeks since the bombings at the Boston marathon, runners around the can country have paid tribute to the victims of that horrible crime. Some cities have even invited the Boston runners who never were able to finish that race to just come on over and compete in their events. Our Tom Foreman has more in today's "American Journey."
[Tom Foreman, Cnn Correspondent:] Across the country, ever since the bombings, thousands of runners and dozens of races have taken to the roads in the name of Boston, many wearing special signs of their support, offering respect and raising money for victims.
[Unidentified Female:] After I heard what they were doing for the people that didn't finish and then I researched a little bit on what this marathon was for, it just made sense to do something because it is just something special, you know, to be part of something like this.
[Foreman:] It has been a tough year in the running community as two premiere competitions were swept up in events far bigger than any sport. The New York marathon was canceled in the wake of Superstorm Sandy.
[Mary Wittenberg, President And Ceo, New York Road Runners:] It is with incredibly heavy hearts today, tonight, that we share that the best way to help New York City at this time is to say that we will not be conducting the 2012 ING New York City Marathon.
[Foreman:] Boston, the most renowned marathon in the nation, ended in a national tragedy.
[Unidentified Male:] I don't understand why anyone would want to do anything like this because it is just a world sport, it is a world spirit.
[Foreman:] But other states invited those who didn't finish in Massachusetts to run in their races, offering free entries, leaving even legendary marathoners like Amby Burfoot who writes for "Runners World" and won the Boston race in 1968, feeling even stronger about the sport and its spectators.
[Amby Burfoot, 1968 Boston Marathon Winner:] We will be back more and stronger than ever next year to just literally next year will be a race about the spectators. It will be the runners thanking the spectators for being there.
[Foreman:] As more than one runner has noted in recent weeks, if intimidation is the goal, attacking a marathon is a bad idea because runners and those who love running are very hard to stop. Tom Foreman, CNN.
[Banfield:] I like that New York loves Boston t-shirt. Tonight, be sure to tune into CNN as we return to Boston and the images that you will never forget, the photographers that took the pictures tell their incredible stories. "Back to Boston, Moments of Impact" tonight at 10:00 p.m. Eastern. And coming up next, America, we are on the verge of a brand-new record when it comes to the Powerball lottery. That jackpot isn't just rising. It's skyrocketing. Here's some inspiration, a man wins the lottery after a surprise and a good old cookie jar. Not kidding. Back in a moment.