These 25 photos show the persistence, triumph, and joy from the Boston Marathon - The Boston Globe

Marathon Monday was back, and it was worth the wait.

It had been 910 days since the Boston Marathon was last run in 2019. While there were a number of changes made because of the pandemic — new starting protocols to minimize contact, an earlier start for the elite races, and a mid-October date — the joy familiar to all who’ve witnessed the race was still present.

From Hopkinton all the way to Boylston Street, fans took to the 26.2-mile course to cheer on the competitors.

It was a Kenyan sweep for the elite races, with Benson Kipruto and Diana Kipyokei taking home the trophies.

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Here are the best photos from the 125th Boston Marathon.

Winners Benson Kipruto (left) and Diana Kipyokei are both from Kenya. — Winners Benson Kipruto (left) and Diana Kipyokei are both from Kenya.Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff

Spectators cheered for runners near the finish line on Boylston Street. — Spectators cheered for runners near the finish line on Boylston Street.Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff

The men’s elite runners crest Heartbreak Hill. — The men’s elite runners crest Heartbreak Hill.Erin Clark / Globe Staff

Nell Rojas was the top American woman, finishing sixth overall. — Nell Rojas was the top American woman, finishing sixth overall.Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff

The runners passed by Wellesley College. — The runners passed by Wellesley College. Suzanne Kreiter/Globe Staff

A couple shared a kiss as they crossed the finish line. — A couple shared a kiss as they crossed the finish line.Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff

Benson Kipruto's winning time was 2:09:51. — Benson Kipruto's winning time was 2:09:51.Matthew J Lee/Globe staff

Four-year-old Luke Hindin cheered on contestants in the men’s handcycle race at Heartbreak Hill in Newton. — Four-year-old Luke Hindin cheered on contestants in the men’s handcycle race at Heartbreak Hill in Newton.Erin Clark / Globe Staff

Diana Kipyokei's winning time was 2:24:45. — Diana Kipyokei's winning time was 2:24:45.Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff

Juan Carlos Bermudez, of Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, held his sleeping daughter, Carlotta, 2, while cheering on his wife Araceli near the finish line on Boylston Street. — Juan Carlos Bermudez, of Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, held his sleeping daughter, Carlotta, 2, while cheering on his wife Araceli near the finish line on Boylston Street.Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff

Dolores Valencia reacted after crossing the finish line. — Dolores Valencia reacted after crossing the finish line.Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff

A runner kissed the ground after crossing the finish line. — A runner kissed the ground after crossing the finish line.Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff

Melissa Brewer cheered on runners while waiting for her best friend to pass by near the finish line. — Melissa Brewer cheered on runners while waiting for her best friend to pass by near the finish line.Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff

Michael Porter rolled across the finish line. — Michael Porter rolled across the finish line.Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff

Badia Eskandar jumped as she crossed the finish line. — Badia Eskandar jumped as she crossed the finish line.Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff

Beth Sandan of San Clemente, Calif, crossed the finish line. — Beth Sandan of San Clemente, Calif, crossed the finish line.Matthew J Lee/Globe staff

Caitlin Mcilwain collapsed after crossing the finish line. — Caitlin Mcilwain collapsed after crossing the finish line.Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff

Francisco Perdomo Hernandez (center) waited at the starting line. — Francisco Perdomo Hernandez (center) waited at the starting line.Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff

A group of spectators cheered on the racers at the starting line in Hopkinton. — A group of spectators cheered on the racers at the starting line in Hopkinton.Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff

Manuela Schär won the women's wheelchair trophy. — Manuela Schär won the women's wheelchair trophy.Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff

Hiromasa Aono (left) from Arlington and Katsuhiro Togami from Brookline crossed the finish line together. — Hiromasa Aono (left) from Arlington and Katsuhiro Togami from Brookline crossed the finish line together.Matthew J Lee/Globe staff

The runners in the first rolling start prepared at the starting line in Hopkinton. — The runners in the first rolling start prepared at the starting line in Hopkinton.Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff

A runner passed over discarded COVID-19 masks at the starting line in Hopkinton. — A runner passed over discarded COVID-19 masks at the starting line in Hopkinton.David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

Marcel Hug won the men's wheelchair title for the fifth time. — Marcel Hug won the men's wheelchair title for the fifth time.Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff

The 125th Boston Marathon was the first one to be held in the fall. — The 125th Boston Marathon was the first one to be held in the fall.David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

Ev Houston prepared for her first Boston Marathon at the start of the race. — Ev Houston prepared for her first Boston Marathon at the start of the race.Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff