Adidas congratulates customers for 'surviving' Boston Marathon

BOSTON — In the latest public relations gaffe to hit the internet, Adidas is drawing criticism for an email sent to its customers about the Boston Marathon.

The latest email from the sports apparel company sent to its mailing list says, "Congrats, you survived the Boston Marathon."

Many on social media have called out the company for its poor taste, considering the attacks at the event four years ago.

Two brothers set off bombs at the 2013 race, before murdering a police officer and putting much of the Boston metro area in a police lockdown for about a week.

"I wouldn't be wearing a t-shirt that said 'I survived' because that's a whole different meaning to the people of Boston,” Melissa Young said.

The Boston Police Commissioner ran the marathon this year for the first time since running in the 2013 race. After the race, he commented the city seems to have returned to normal on Patriots day after the ordeal.

Tuesday, social media users began posting screenshots of the email criticizing Adidas for its word choice. But outside of the context of the bombings, some people said they understand the sentiment.

"It was 76 degrees outside it was hot it was a brutal marathon it was tough no matter what and yeah, you feel like you survived it,” marathon runner Franklin Keathley said. "I don't think there was any ill will intended by it, but at the same time they should've been more sensitive."

A spokesperson for Adidas sent a statement regarding the email and customers' criticism:

"We are incredibly sorry. Clearly, there was no thought given to the insensitive email subject line we sent Tuesday. We deeply apologize for our mistake. The Boston Marathon is one of the most inspirational sporting events in the world. Every year we’re reminded of the hope and resiliency of the running community at this event."

At the time of the bombing, Nike was selling T-shirts painted with splattered blood that read "Boston Massacre" in reference to a Yankees-Red Sox series. Those shirts were quickly pulled from shelves after the bombing.

Cox Media Group