On the course and off, runners and their supporters each carried their own personal stories to the 128th Boston Marathon on Monday — pushing them to run harder, help out those around them and cheer louder through a beautiful race day.

Best in the world

Bruins legend Zdeno Chara continues to be a man on a mission.

The former Bruins captain crossed the finish line in an unofficial time of 3:30:52, eight minutes faster than his first Boston last year. Between last April and this Patriots Day, Chara ran in five other marathons, setting a personal record of 3:10 in Houston in January.

He’s heading abroad to compete in London on Sunday.

Even after playing in front of fans throughout his 24-year career, Chara said he appreciates the Boston Marathon crowds.

“You have fans right there with you screaming and cheering you on,” he said. “It’s the best marathon in the world. All the credit goes to the fans because they make this race such a special marathon.”

Everybody cheers for everybody

Annemie Vanlessen took in the scene after crossing the finish line with her husband Filip Reyns. The married couple traveled from Belgium, with Vanlessen starting her quest to conquer all six major marathons.

“It’s amazing,” Vanlessen said. “Everybody’s cheering, clapping, enjoying themselves. In Europe, also, but they cheer for the people they know. Here, everybody cheers just for everybody.”

‘Paying back’ as a clock watcher

For two volunteers with the Greater Framingham Running Club, sitting out as clock watchers in Wellesley and helping out at the last 15 Boston Marathons is about “paying back.”

“We’re both runners, old runners,” said Richard Godin, sitting with his friend Richard Busa close enough to ensure the clock set out for the runners around mile 13 wasn’t stolen or vandalized. “A lot of volunteers supported our races, so we’re paying back and volunteering for other runners.”

The “enthusiasm of the crowds” stands out every year, Godin said. For the runners, it’s about “doing the best you can,” he added, suddenly remembering a time Busa encouraged a runner who couldn’t finish a 100 mile race to try again.

“I said to her, ‘Don’t feel bad because you’ve already run almost three marathons,’ and I said, ‘Just come back next year,’” said Busa. “Next year, I was at the food station. Someone tapped on my shoulder, and it was her. She said, ‘I went on and finished.’”

Running for his friend Luke

Thunderous whoops and cheers rang out as one runner passed a crowd on Washington Street in Wellesley, continuing until the figure was well out of sight.

“That is Matt right here,” said Kim Van Antwerp, pointing out the runner in a picture of him and her son on a sign promoting suicide prevention awareness. “And he’s running for my son Luke, who was a Harvard student too that we lost.

“He’s so special,” the mother said, choking briefly before continuing. “He’s on (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention) team. And we’re just proud to support him.”

Van Antwerp and many others flew in from Michigan, joining several local Harvard students to cheer the runner on.

Matt was never a runner, Van Antwerp said, but he set a goal and raised $15,000 for the cause. He was very close with her son, she said.

“We’re just so proud of him for advocating, for continuing to do so,” said Van Antwerp. “It means a lot to us.”

Making sure they stay hydrated

Eight-year-old Will tagged in to hand out water to runners in Wellesley early Monday afternoon.

“I wanted to help,” said Will, wearing a shirt for his family members running the race. “We’ve got to make sure they stay hydrated. They’re running a long way.”

He was just watching with his family, Will said, but realized he could lend a hand when he saw other kids running water out to the marathoners. One day, he hopes someone will be handing him a drink on the race course.

“I think I’m a pretty good runner,” he added.

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‘They were my motivation’

Duxbury father Patrick Clancy ran with a heavy heart but his three children motivated him to the finish line even as his legs grew weary.

Clancy completed his first Boston in memory of his two sons, Dawson and Callan, and daughter, Cora, who died in January 2022. His wife, Lindsay Clancy, allegedly strangled them and is charged in their deaths.

On Monday, Patrick Clancy turned the darkness into a moment that inspired spectators and fellow runners. He finished in a time of 3:59:19, wearing items that belonged to his three kids.

A hair bow from 5-year-old Cora went around part of his racing jersey, a wristband from 3-year-old Dawson on his right wrist and a bracelet from 7-month-old Callan on his left wrist.

“They were my motivation,” Clancy told the marathon’s lead television sponsor WCVB. “It was therapeutic. It was purpose. I knew we could make a big difference and we did, so it was good.”

Clancy has raised nearly $73,000 for Miles for Miracles, a team that raises funds for Boston Children’s Hospital.

“It was a lot of work and my legs really hurt,” he said, “but I’m more proud of all the money we raised for charity,”

Runners make their way down Stuart Street after finishing the marathon.(Chris Christo/Boston Herald)
Wellesley College students cheer as racers pass by in Wellesley. (Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald)