Daily Happenings from poetsareangels

BOSTON — Thousands of people, including bombing survivors and first responders, lined the Boston Marathon finish line Saturday morning for a historic cover shoot for Sports Illustrated.

“In last year’s cover, Boylston Street was filled with destruction and chaos,” said Sports Illustrated Creative Director Chris Hercik. “We wanted to highlight the resiliency of Boston.”

View photos of Sports Illustrated shoot

Marc Fucarile, who lost a leg in the bombings, was among those who lined the finish line.

“We are strong, we bounce back no matter what,” Fucarile said.

Donna O’Connnell is a Boston resident who was planning to attend the photo shoot.

“I was here last year, I saw all the horror.  Just to show that we have strength and courage, we fear nothing, I’m coming back,” she said.

Boston firefighters and police officers were among those who gathered on Boylston Street.

“It’s all about the city of Boston and their comeback.  This photo is about them,” Hercik said.

Jerry Rufo, who will run his ninth consecutive Boston Marathon this year, also said he would attend.

“Not a day that goes by that I don’t think about the victims and their families and what happened. This incident brought the city together and this is just going to show how together we are and how strong we are,” he said.