Man who shoveled Boston Marathon finish line during blizzard speaks out

By RYAN GORMAN

The man who shoveled the Boston marathon finish line during this week's crippling blizzard has been found.

Bartender Chris Laudani was named on Twitter as the man behind the touching gesture by the Back Bay Social Club, the restaurant at which he works after even the Boston Police became involved in the search for the person pictured online.

The act even spawned a #WhoShoveledTheFinishLine hashtag as people around the country began to look for the man behind the shovel.

Back Bay Social Club manager Ryan Swann told Boston.com that shoveling the road was Laudani's idea as business slowed during the storm.

"I asked him why he needed the shovel, and he said 'I'm going to go clear off the Marathon finish line if that's ok with you," Swann told the site.

"He's run the marathon the last few years, so I told him to go for it. And now his photo is everywhere."

The marathoner has not yet responded to an AOL News message left seeking further comment, but he did speak to Boston Magazine.

"I only did it to send a message ... I love the Boston Marathon and everything it stands for, the finish line doesn't deserve to be covered in snow," he said.

"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 continued, insisting that he is no hero.

"I'm just a nut who loves the marathon. The real heroes are the people who were out there clearing the streets and sidewalks, the [Boston Police Department], and the [Boston Fire Department] who risk their lives every day to keep people safe."

Laudani joins another Bostonian who roamed the city's streets while dressed as a yeti in showing people that not everyone is upset by winter weather.

Pictures of the Boston yeti: