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 .
Dan Kennedy : Before Monday , the Boston Marathon marked city 's annual `` Greatest Day '' It brings the marathon , Patriots Day and an 11 : AM Red Sox 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 , Spring 's return irretrievably marred by bomb horror , he says .