Lubbock runner participates in Boston Marathon

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LUBBOCK, TX (KCBD) - Today marks the second Boston Marathon following the bombings that took place back in 2013.

The marathon is becoming even bigger and more runners from all over the country are participating - this year five Lubbock runners made the trip up to Boston to run.

Sami Shehadeh, a spectator who recently moved to Boston from Lubbock, said he can simply put today's morale into two words - determined and patriotic.

"People are more determined, more patriotic, more insisting on this thing to be even bigger and better race than ever," Shehadeh said.

He said being an immigrant himself from Lebanon, he has patriotism and pride in the country he lives in.

Even two years since the terrifying race, those who were hurt continue to fight.

"Even people that had been injured two years ago actually get into the race this year and that was awfully, awfully inspiring and a true spirit of the marathon," Shehadeh said.

He said after moving to Boston, having a front row view of the marathon has given him a more optimistic view.

"I've seen the marathon before," Shehadeh said. "I have never seen it more determined, more exciting, the spirit has been amplified by leap years, if you will, including myself."

Being a spectator, he said security is at an all-time high but, he truly believes that it has not phased the spectators or runners - in fact, he said they have come together to show their support for the marathon and its victims.

One runner from Lubbock, Christine Steen, said after seeing the elites finish the race two years ago, she knew that she wanted to be a part of it.

"This was something, I just needed to be here," Steen said. "I trained really hard for nine months and was able to qualify and it took 15 months to actually get here, so it's something I've been looking forward to for many years."

Steen said she is still pumped after running the 26.2 miles through downtown Boston, something that a million people lined the streets to watch and be a part of.

"It was amazing. There was more crowd support than any other race I've ever run," Steen said. "It was just so loud and so amazing. The whole experience was just so uplifting."