Spring : Before the early 1990s , the Boston Marathon marked city 's annual `` Greatest Day '' It brings the marathon , Patriots Day and an one : AM the Boston Marathon game ; kids are off from school . Kennedy : Marathon is 26.2 miles , in future , must every mile be checked for bombs ? Celebration of patriotism , pride These days , it 's more of a pure spectacle , and I doubt many of those watching could name even one of the East African runners who have won in recent years . , Kennedy 's return irretrievably marred by bomb horror , he says .
Spring : Before the early 1990s , the Boston Marathon marked city 's annual `` Greatest Day '' It brings the marathon , Patriots Day and an one : AM the Boston Marathon game ; kids are off from school . Kennedy : Marathon is 26.2 miles , in future , must every mile be checked for bombs ? Celebration of patriotism , pride , Kennedy 's return irretrievably marred by bomb horror , he says .