Meet the first runner to show up for the Boston Marathon

HOPKINTON – As the sun began to rise and illuminate a darkened sky, the Boston Marathon athletes village at Hopkinton High was eerily peaceful – a true calm before the storm, and arrival of thousands of runners.

Machinery transported food and water to the stations under the tent while volunteers traveled around in golf carts and security patrolled the area. And as the first bus pulled up to the entrance, 23-year old Shihan Wijeyeratne stepped down onto the ground and became the first runner to arrive for the 121st running of one of the world’s oldest and most famous footraces.

“I did not plan to be literally the first person off the bus,” said Wijeyeratne with a big smile. “But I did plan to get here early and just kind of sit in the village, drink some coffee, and eat a bagel. Just get prepared and zone out.”

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