An interpretative phenomenological analysis of 2013 Boston Marathoners’ experience of running a subsequent Boston Marathon

ABSTRACTWhile trauma experiences have been explored in several sport-related research studies, there is a lack of research on athletes’ experiences of a terror attack in sport. The present study examined the meanings 2013 Boston Marathoners ascribed to their experience of returning to the Boston Marathon to compete. Eight participants took part in semi-structured interviews. Interviews were analysed via interpretative phenomenological analysis. Seven themes emerged and were organised temporally around 2013 Boston Marathon experience and post-2013 Boston Marathon experience. Results suggest participants initially had difficulty processing their experience, but a return resulted in a changed perspective on the sport. Results also suggest returning to the Boston Marathon provided an outlet for some participants to demonstrate their defiance to the attackers, display resilience, and achieve a goal they could not in 2013. Implications for practitioners are discussed, with a focus on athletes’ idiosyncratic res...