L.I. Runners pay tribute to Boston

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Prior to the excitement of last Sunday’s Long Island Marathon, there was complete silence for 26 seconds — one second for each mile in a marathon. The moment of silence was held to commemorate the victims of the bombings during the Boston Marathon on April 15.

Many runners who raced in the marathon also participated in Boston, some of whom joined County Executive Ed Mangano at the starting line 30 minutes before the race. The runners, with Mangano, signed a 70-square-foot banner, inscribing supportive messages for those who were affected in Boston. The banner was then moved to Eisenhower Park, where other runners had the opportunity to sign it.

The banner will be shipped to the Boston Athletic Association, the group that orchestrates the Boston Marathon each year.

Indeed, many of the 8,000 race participants could be seen throughout the day wearing special messages aimed towards the Boston community, including Lori Polansky, of East Meadow, who wore a bib that read, “I Run For Boston.”

The race “definitely took on a more personal meaning, because of that,” said Polansky, who was participating in her 10th L.I. half marathon, adding that was motivated by all of the signs and bibs worn by spectators and racers. “It was an amazing day.”