The Boston Marathon: What is Special About It? | Tom Grilk | TEDxBoston

NOTE FROM TED: TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/t...
Most people have heard of the Boston Marathon. But at its core, what is it that makes it special? It is that it brings people together in a spirit of helping and supporting one another.
Tom Grilk is the Chief Executive Officer of the Boston Athletic Association | Boston Marathon, taking on that role in January of 2011. He served as President of the B.A.A. Board of Governors from 2003 until 2011.
In addition to his duties as Chief Executive Officer, he served as the marathon's finish line announcer from 1979 through 2013, and he is a former marathon competitor, with a personal best of 2:49 and a personal best at Boston of 2:54.
He was for many years a corporate and business lawyer, both with the Boston law firm Hale and Dorr and serving as counsel and general counsel to Boston area technology companies. He is a graduate of Cornell University and the University of Michigan Law School. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@MGKBOSTON]

Really excellent summation of the marathon. I ran today and the volunteers and crowd were overwhelming. ✌️

[@emmakamala4748]

Well done for you. Keep it up.

[@maksudmansuri4895]

I ran first time in marathon not fully but partially today, only god knows the truth I love marathons , it gives me hope and determination to help people in needs❤

[@emmakamala4748]

A beautiful summation. Well delivered.

[@bobbydreamsforu]

WoW. So inspiring 😍

[@Justin-uc8sc]

Nobody ever talks about how the New York City Marathon has a faster qualifying time tho

[@jonathansandberg5983]

I understand what you mean to say but still, if coming in second place by an eyelash is “losing,” what does that say for the rest of us who finish thousands of places later?

[@blueshoe214]

they lost

[@ydafckdoihave2have1]

Does Thomas ever mention his sister was a victim/survivor of the bombing?
Why not?

[@policestate4879]

Maybe he has self respect and won't perpetuate a hoax!

[@ydafckdoihave2have1]

@@policestate4879 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@elo5193]

"Why is it so special? Because we say it is." Typical American logic 😂
Let me save some time, there's nothing special about it other than that it is the first and you have to qualify for it.

[@ShortFuseFighting]

ehh its a waste of time....just give it to the first kenyan that signs up and be done with it.....

[@chesscomsupport8689]

The second Kenyan to sign up isn't going to be happy about that