Pandemic kept them at home. but now they re ready to run. boston is back. for many, it s a rite of passage. and now the boston marathon is back. it s nice that life is getting back to normal. reporter: patriots day tomorrow will mark the 126th running of the world s oldest annual marathon. it feels amazing. i m just very excited. it s surreal. i can t believe that i am actually here. reporter: 30,000 runners hailing from all 50 states and 122 countries. i m going to get to boston. reporter: many this weekend making a trip to the finish line for a photo op of a bucket list experience. for some of those like me, it s our first chance to run boston after six years of blood, sweat, and tears. reporter: chris burke will be among the thousands of runners. taking on the challenge to honor his wife jessica, who was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer five years ago, four months after giving birth to their daughter ellie. i will never forget the first