Today, runners from around the world will step to the starting line of the Boston Marathon. This will be the 118th running of the world’s oldest annual marathon, but the first since the tragic bombing attack last year. More than 36,000 runners—the second largest field in the race’s history—will navigate the 26.2 miles from the suburb of Hopkinton to downtown Boston, despite the specter of two pressure-cooker bombs that killed three and injured 264 one year ago.

We applaud the spirit of those who will run again. We applaud too the citizens of Boston, of its neighboring towns, and of cities and towns all over the world who have come to cheer on the runners of the marathon. The commitment of both runners and spectators to participate in the race, despite the dangers last year presented, is a testament to their characters; it also represents an act of defiance, a symbol that the people of Massachusetts and elsewhere will not be cowed by brazen acts of terrorism.

The manner in which the Boston community has come together even more strongly than in years past is impressive, but not surprising. Even after the bombing and the subsequent manhunt—events that shook the spirits and beliefs of many—the people of this region stood tall and fought on; the community lived up to Boston’s reputation as a city of tough, loyal, and committed people.

On a more somber note, we hope that this same sense of community can be harnessed to prevent future tragedies like the bombings on Marathon Monday last year. Though they were not born here, the Tsarnaev brothers nevertheless grew up mere miles from Boylston Street. They went to school here; they lived here. It is our hope that an even stronger Boston community can help thwart any future homegrown attacks.

The race today represents a time of remembrance, of reflection, and of celebration. It is a time to remember the lives that were lost and the runners and spectators who were injured and traumatized, a time to remember the heroic efforts of the first responders and the policemen who captured the suspects. It is a time to reflect on the lessons learned—about the world we live in and the traditions and values that we hold dearest, about the fleeting nature of life. Most of all, it is a time to celebrate the determination of the runners of the marathon. It is a time to celebrate the spirit of the city and its people.