'The bombing puts everything in perspective': Thousands take part in Boston Marathon six years after terror attack that killed three and left hundreds injured

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More than 30,000 people took part in the Boston Marathon on Monday, which marked the six-year anniversary of the terror attack that claimed the lives of three and left hundreds more injured.

Monday's race marked the first time since the bombings that the anniversary date fell on the same day as the marathon.

Boston officials held a moment of silence at 2.49pm, the time of the first explosion.

Family members of Martin Richard, the eight-year-old who was killed during the 2013 bombings, attended the marathon. Martin had been at the finish line with his parents and two siblings when he was killed.

Parents Bill and Denise Richard were seen comforting one another as the moment of silence was held Monday afternoon. Their son Henry was also in attendance.

Ginger Howell, a 33-year-old professional triathlete who is running her sixth Boston Marathon, said she finished the 2013 race 25 minutes before the bombings and was on the train home when the twin detonations went off near the finish line.

She said thinking back on the day has taught her to appreciate being present at the race, and in life.

'Even if you run slower than your goal time, thinking about the bombing puts everything in perspective,' Howell said.

More than 30,000 people took part in the Boston Marathon on Monday, which marked the six-year anniversary of the terror attack that claimed the lives of three and left hundreds more injured 

Monday's race marked the first time since the bombings that the anniversary date fell on the same day as the marathon. Boston officials are planning a moment of silence at 2.49pm, the time of the first explosion

Several photos showed tremendous acts of kindness, including this one of Joke Pollet, of Belgium, who had to be helped to the finish line 

Other photos also shared moments of triumph like this one of Micah Herndon, of Tallmadge, Ohio, crawls to the finish line

Joan Benoit Samuelson, first women's Olympics marathon winner, is embraced after finishing the 123rd Boston Marathon on Monday

Vincent Hardy, of Redwood City, California, was assisted after finishing the race Monday afternoon

Boston officials held a moment of silence at 2.49pm, the time of the first explosion. Family members of Martin Richard, the eight-year-old who was killed during the 2013 bombings, attended the marathon. His parents, Bill and Denise Richard (pictured), comforted one another as the moment of silence was held Monday afternoon. Their son Henry (left) was also there

Bill Richard (left), father of Boston Marathon bombing victim Martin Richard congratulates a man running for the Martin Richard Foundation, after he completed the 123rd Boston Marathon on Monday 

'The Boston strong attitude made a big difference. When people think about the Boston Marathon now, they think about people coming together and overcoming adversity,' she added.

Several photos showed tremendous acts of kindness as runners stopped to help or carry others across the finish line.

Other photos shared moments of triumph like the one of Micah Herndon, of Tallmadge, Ohio, who crawled to the finish line.

A man who had both of his legs amputated was seen being helped during the race by two guides.

There was even an interesting story about Markelle Taylor, of Novato, California, who finished the race Monday afternoon.

Taylor was just released from the San Quentin State Prison a few weeks ago.

He served almost 18 years behind bars for a second degree murder conviction. The 46-year-old was able to get his sentence commuted.

A video showed a member of the US Secret Service pushing another service member across the finish line.

'Congratulations #TeamFitz on finishing the 123rd #BostonMarathon with a time of 4:06 - a pace of 9:25. The Secret Service could not have had better representation,' the service tweeted.  

The Boston Marathon began shortly after 10am and by noon, Ethiopia's Worknesh Degefa had won the women’s race. 

In his first Boston Marathon appearance, Lawrence Cherono won the men's elite race in a sprint finish with Ethiopian Lelisa Desisa.

Desisa took the lead and appeared headed for victory before Cherono got on his left shoulder and outlasted him to the tape. 

Markelle Taylor, of Novato, California, also finished the race. Taylor was recently released from the San Quentin Prison after serving almost 18 years behind bars for a second-degree murder conviction. Taylor, 46, got his sentence commuted

Chelsea Holt, of Broomfield, Colorado, had to be carried across the finish line by four other runners on Monday 

Richard Reinhardt, (left), of Columbia, Maryland, Nicholas Haddow, (second from left), of Calgary, Canada, and Brian Prendergast, (right) of Brick, N.ew Jersey, helped Matthew Harpin, of Marietta, Georgia, as they approached the finish line

Ethiopia's Worknesh Degefa (pictured) broke away from the rest of the field early and ran alone for the last 20 miles to win the women's marathon 

Lawrence Cherono (center) in his first Boston Marathon appearance barely edged out Lelisa Desisa (right) at the finish line to win the men's elite race

Degefa and Cherono celebrate after winning the 2019 Boston Marathon on Monday 

Early morning rain held up the start, with a temperature of 59 degrees. Last year's race was contested in the rain, with temperatures dipping into the mid-30s.

American Scott Fauble led the race around Mile 18, but started to fade at Mile 21. He finished seventh, in a time of 2:09:10. 

Daniel Romanchuk won the men's wheelchair race, becoming the youngest winner of the event at 20 years, eight months and 12 days 

THE FORMER CALIFORNIA INMATE WHO RAN A FREE MAN IN THE BOSTON MARATHON

Markelle Taylor, 46, was one of 30,000 people who completed the Boston Marathon on Monday. 

However, his story is quite the interesting one. 

Taylor was released from the San Quentin State Prison where he served 18 years for a second-degree murder conviction.

He was able to get his sentence commuted. 

According to CBS, Taylor has always had a dream of running the Boston Marathon and even trained for it while in prison as part of the 1,000 Mile Club. 

The club is a group of runners inside the prison that is led by volunteer coaches. 

Members compete in the annual San Quentin Marathon, which consists of 105 laps around the prison yard. 

'Through my God, my spiritual transformation and through my running, (they) gave me my healing and my purpose,' Taylor explained.  

Taylor (center) was released from the San Quentin State Prison where he served 18 years for a second-degree murder conviction

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Manuela Schar, meanwhile, is on her way to a sweep of the World Marathon Major women's wheelchair races, winning Boston for the second time.   

Romanchuk says: 'I knew it was possible, it was just a matter of everything coming together.'

His victory breaks up the recent dominance of Hug and Ernst van Dyk, who between them have 14 Boston Marathon victories. Hug had won the previous four Boston races.

Daniel Romanchuk (center) won the men's wheelchair race with the fastest time ever by an American. Romanchuk crossed the finish line on Boylston Street in an official time of 1 hour, 21 minutes, 36 seconds

Manuela Schar, meanwhile, is on her way to a sweep of the World Marathon Major women's wheelchair races. Schar won Boston for the second time, finishing in 1 hour, 34 minutes, 19 seconds with no one else in sight

Romanchuk says: 'I knew it was possible, it was just a matter of everything coming together.'

His victory breaks up the recent dominance of Hug and Ernst van Dyk, who between them have 14 Boston Marathon victories. Hug had won the previous four Boston races.

Schar, a 34-year-old from Switzerland, was about six minutes slower than the record she set in her other Boston victory, two years ago.

A picture tweeted out by a Boston Globe journalist showing two men helping a double amputee towards the finish line

A field of 30,000 runners followed the top runners on the 26.2-mile trek to Copley Square.

Sara Hall initially led the women's race through the two mile mark. Today is her birthday; she turned 36. 

Ahead of the race, several runners, including Michael Bersani, 30, of Cortland, New York, came prepared with trash bags, tarps and hope.

Photos showed throngs of runners gathering in the tents outside of a high school in Hopkinton ahead of the race. 

Lukas Chmatal, 35, originally from the Czech Republic and now a scientist at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, waits under a tent while it rains before the race began

Photos showed throngs of runners gathering in the tents outside of a high school in Hopkinton ahead of the race 

Runners arrive at the athletes village prior to the start of the Marathon