Top 10 Boston Marathon moments

BOSTON – The Boston Marathon is the oldest annual marathon in the world. The first race took place in 1897 with 18 runners, following on the success of the first modern marathon at the 1896 Summer Olympics. Today, the Boston race attracts thousands or runners and with roughly 500,000 spectators each year, it is the most widely watched annual sporting event in New England.

The race is traditionally held on the third Monday in April, which the state officially commemorates as Patriot's Day to honor the courage and sacrifice of the men of Massachusetts who stood against British troops in Lexington and Concord, igniting the American Revolution. The holiday was celebrated on April 19, but the state changed the official holiday to April's third Monday in 1969.