Several runners from the Dallas area ran the Boston Marathon today, where a bomb near the finish line reportedly has killed multiple people and injured many more. The injuries, according to witnesses, are in some cases gruesome.
A Lake Highlands High School swim coach, Kyle Horne, was among the Dallas runners in Boston. Horne finished the race in three hours 23 minutes and was not there when the bomb exploded. He sends word that he is OK.
Two members of the White Rock Area Running Co-op Allyson Gump and Brent Yost were done running and near the finish line when it happened. They say there is much devastation and “so crazy.”
Yost said via Facebook message that at one point people started sprinting from the finish line. ‘It was scary and sad.’
James Ayers, who lives in Old Lake Highlands, says he had left the race site when he started hearing the rumors. He echoes Yost, “Just so sad.”
School teacher Jose Lopez, a member of the Dallas Running Club, finished the marathon before the bomb exploded.
The finish line was closed and the race canceled after the bomb went off. From photos it appears it happened about four hours and nine minutes into the race. Due to the wave start, this means many runners finishing in the 3:30 – 4:10 range could have been finishing at that time. It is being reported that more than 10,000 runners were still on the course.
I will update with more info as we get it.
Update: The Dallas Marathon director sent this statement: The MetroPCS Dallas Marathon sends our heartfelt condolences to all of those affected by the tragic incident at the 2013 Boston Marathon. We have been in touch with all Dallas Marathon staff members who attended the Boston Marathon and they are safe. We stand in support of our colleagues at the Boston Athletic Association and the brave first responders, volunteers and race staff. Safety is of utmost importance to the Dallas Marathon, and we will continue to work with city officials and the Dallas law enforcement on safety and security plans for our 2013 race.
