“It’s been generally comparable to when I was here three years ago—I think people are more on guard but there’s generally a determined feeling,” Guertin said.

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Joseph Robertfonts, who came to the race from Rhode Island, said he felt a mix of emotions in the air. “I feel very happy that people are here supporting the race but I definitely also feel melancholy about what happened last year,” Robertfonts said. “The scar is healing but it’s going to be there.”

The overwhelming feelings of community pride were only heightened by the historic victory of Meb Keflezighi, a 39-year-old living in San Diego who became the first American male to win the Boston Marathon since 1983.

The crowd erupted in cheers and chants of “U-S-A!” as Keflezighi fought off another contender late in the race, setting a personal record time of 2:08:37. He later stood atop the victor’s podium as the American national anthem was played, bringing him and many in the crowd to tears.

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Keflezighi’s victory capped off an exciting and significant day, said M’Shell Patterson, a New Yorker who was attending her third marathon as a volunteer. “This year more than ever, it felt like we had to step up and stand for something,” Patterson said. “[Keflezighi’s victory] just put icing on the cake. It’s the right year for an American to win this marathon.”

For Charles A. Scherr ’17, who attended Monday’s race as a spectator, the take-home message was one of inspiration and community spirit.

“I was definitely inspired. As a marathon runner...I felt even more inspired leaving the Boston Marathon than when I ran the New York Marathon,” Scherr said. “Today I feel very proud to go to school in Boston.”

—Staff writer Ivan B. K. Levingston can be reached at Ivan.Levingston@thecrimson.com. Follow him on Twitter @IvanLevingston.

—Staff writer Tyler S. Olkowski can be reached at tyler.olkowski@thecrimson.com. Follow him on Twitter @OlkowskiTyler.