PHOTOS: Celebration and triumph during the 121st Boston Marathon - The Boston Globe

Athletes took on the 26.2-mile journey from Hopkinton to Copley Square for the 121st running of the Boston Marathon today.

Wheelchair race winners Marcel Hug, left, and Manuela Schar with the award trophy. — Wheelchair race winners Marcel Hug, left, and Manuela Schar with the award trophy.The Boston Globe/Boston Globe

Elite winners Edna Kiplagat, left, and Geoffrey Kirui hold the trophy at the finish line. — Elite winners Edna Kiplagat, left, and Geoffrey Kirui hold the trophy at the finish line.The Boston Globe/Boston Globe

Runners as they started their climb up Heartbreak Hill. — Runners as they started their climb up Heartbreak Hill.Craig F. Walker

Chris Teager of Mont Clare, N.J., offered support to runners at Heartbreak Hill. — Chris Teager of Mont Clare, N.J., offered support to runners at Heartbreak Hill.Craig F. Walker

A runner jumped for joy near the starting line. — A runner jumped for joy near the starting line.Bill Greene/Globe Staff

Women elite runners at the starting line. — Women elite runners at the starting line.Bill Greene

Candice Woodson of Dorchester offered hugs to runners after they finished Heartbreak Hill. — Candice Woodson of Dorchester offered hugs to runners after they finished Heartbreak Hill.Craig F. Walker

Ella Eaton, 6, offered water to runners in Newton. — Ella Eaton, 6, offered water to runners in Newton.Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff

Bombing survivor Patrick Downes, left, crossed the finish line. — Bombing survivor Patrick Downes, left, crossed the finish line.Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff

Kathrine Switzer, who was the first official woman entrant in the Boston Marathon 50 years ago, prepared to fire the gun to start the women's elite division race. — Kathrine Switzer, who was the first official woman entrant in the Boston Marathon 50 years ago, prepared to fire the gun to start the women's elite division race.Mary Schwalm

A gentle wind lifted the signs made by Wellesley College students along the race route. — A gentle wind lifted the signs made by Wellesley College students along the race route.Suzanne Kreiter

Signs of support went up on Washington Street in Wellesley. — Signs of support went up on Washington Street in Wellesley.Suzanne Kreiter

Runners gathered in Boston to board buses for the starting line in Hopkinton. — Runners gathered in Boston to board buses for the starting line in Hopkinton.Charles Krupa

Runner Victoria Ballestero meditated at the athelete's village on Monday. — Runner Victoria Ballestero meditated at the athelete's village on Monday.Keith Bedford

A police officer and a working dog performed a security sweep in Hopkinton. — A police officer and a working dog performed a security sweep in Hopkinton.Mary Schwalm

Runners passed through a security check in Boston before the race. — Runners passed through a security check in Boston before the race.Charles Krupa

Matt Colleran and his daughter Riley of Hopkinton make their way through the start village in Hopkinton. — Matt Colleran and his daughter Riley of Hopkinton make their way through the start village in Hopkinton.Lane Turner

Portable toilets set up on Hopkinton’s town common. — Portable toilets set up on Hopkinton’s town common.Bill Greene

People had to pass through security near the start line of the race in Hopkinton. — People had to pass through security near the start line of the race in Hopkinton.Lane Turner

Runners made their way through the athelete's village in Boston before the start of the race. — Runners made their way through the athelete's village in Boston before the start of the race.Keith Bedford

A runner stretched at the athelete's village in Boston. — A runner stretched at the athelete's village in Boston.Keith Bedford

Runners sat outside the athelete's village in Boston. — Runners sat outside the athelete's village in Boston.Keith Bedford/Globe Staff

Massachusetts State Police members photographed their dogs at the starting line of the Boston Marathon in Hopkinton. — Massachusetts State Police members photographed their dogs at the starting line of the Boston Marathon in Hopkinton.Bill Greene

A runner slept at the athelete's village in Boston. — A runner slept at the athelete's village in Boston.Keith Bedford

Workers made final preparations of the finish line in Boston on Monday morning. — Workers made final preparations of the finish line in Boston on Monday morning.Elise Amendola

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