Image via @PhillyIdol1017

Social media has been buzzing in the wake of the blizzard of 2015, trying to discover the identity of the man who shoveled out the Boston Marathon finish line. On Wednesday afternoon, it was revealed that his name is Chris Laudani and he’s a bartender at Back Bay Social Club.

Both Boston magazine and Buzzfeed confirmed it was Laudani.

“I only did it to send a message,” he told Boston magazine.”I love the Boston Marathon and everything it stands for, the finish line doesn’t deserve to be covered in snow.”

Speculation abounded when Philip L. Hillman snapped a photo of Laudani from the nearby Charlesmark Hotel. Not long after BostInno contacted the hotel, neighboring Marathon Sports and the Boston Athletic Association, the hashtag #whoshoveledthefinishline began trending on Twitter.

According to the Washington Post, (yes even some of the nation’s largest publications picked up the story) Laudani has only tended bar at the Back Bay establishment for about six months.

He told ABC News that he was inspired to clear the finish line because it’s his “favorite place in the entire city.” He ran in the infamous 2013 Boston Marathon as a bandit (someone who’s not officially registered).

Even the New York Times couldn’t resist touching on the story.

“I think it’s cool that so many people feel the same way, but I saw the word ‘hero’ being tossed around and that I don’t like,” he told Boston further. “I’m no hero, I’m just a nut who loves the marathon.”

“For someone to brave the winter blizzard to clear our finish line for us is yet another statement as to what our event means not only to runners but also to Americans,” BAA Executive Director Tom Grilk told BostInno via email. “We, at the Boston Athletic Association, are the organizers and are responsible for the management of the Boston Marathon, but an act like we see depicted here proves that – in Boston – everyone owns the Marathon.”

BostInno tried to get in touch with Laudani after learning of his identity and we’ll be sure to provide updates and further information upon receiving a response.

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