Martin Richard's Foundation Holds Labor Day Road Race

BOSTON (CBS/AP) — The family of Martin Richard, an 8-year-old boy killed in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, hosted a Labor Day road race to raise money for a program that supports first responders.

The first MR8K, a Run for Gratitude started at 9 a.m. Monday near the TD Garden and ended at center ice inside the arena.

The five-mile run is sponsored by the Martin Richard Foundation. Familiar faces could be seen among the 2,000 running, including former Boston Police Commissioner William Evans.

"After the Marathon Bombing, after our officers see shootings, firemen seeing bodies of young kids burnt, that has a lasting impact. To get the resources so we get the psychological treatment that can have lasting effects means a lot to us. So I want to thank the Richard family for all their work," said Evans.

First place went to Michael Peyron from South Boston.

Proceeds from the race went to the LEADER program based at McLean Hospital. Founded just after the bombings, the program offers help to police and fire personnel, EMTs and corrections officers dealing with sobriety, post-traumatic stress, depression and other issues. A check for $100,000 for McLean Hospital was presented to them at the end of the event.

"It's our responsibility as citizens to help those who help us. As Commissioner Gross reminded us during his swearing-in, his officers are not robots, they are not immune to the trauma they encounter while they are on the beat," said Bill Richards.

Race partners include the Boston Bruins Foundation and Dave McGillivray Sports Enterprises.

(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)