Boston Marathon 2013

[Jo-Jo]

I'd be more worried for spectators than runners since the explosion was on the sidewalk, not the road. But still, based on Ken's time at 40K (2:44PM, explosion went off at 2:50PM) he would have been very close. I wonder about MrsTortoise, who likely would have been somewhere near the finish waiting for him.

Good God, I hope & pray that everyone is ok. Ken, please check in! Please...

I've been so fixated at thinking about Ken I didn't keep think that Mrs. Tortoise would likely be a spectator near the finish line.

Ken...and Mrs. T....thinking of you this evening....sending some powerful Orange Power to you.

Just saw Ken's post on his log...so relieved he's safe.

[Stampie]

Just saw Ken's post in his journal, phew!

A little to close for comfort.

[HCcD]

Site of the Boston Marathon Explosions

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/04/15/us/site-of-the-boston-marathon-explosion.html?_r=0

[ShinSplints]

Ken, thank god you are safe buddy. Prayers to everyone's safety..
OMG.... I think we now live in a new era for marathons where security will be a big question, especially at the big races.

[La]

Not just marathons, but at any event where large groups of people gather and there is extensive media coverage.

[QuickChick]

I'm actually surprised that they weren't being set to go off around the time the leaders were finishing, when all the media would've been focused on the finish area. As it was, though, a huge number of finishers would've been coming in around that time. I am just so heartbroken by the whole thing- I've been in tears all night. I was freaking out at first wondering about the people I know, and since finding out they're all OK I'm just so sad for everyone who was hurt or killed. Who does this?! Why does the world have to be like this??!

[mas_runner]

Who does this?! Why does the world have to be like this??!

Have been asking these exact same questions...

[Jwolf]

I just talked to my friend Dean (who used to post here) on skype. II hadn't heard from him but knew he didn't finish. He was way behind in time because he got tripped up at a water station and wiped out. Then he ended up running slower and relaxing ... he was within a mile of the finish when he got turned away. They didn't know why- they just heard of some emergency -- thought someone collapsed at the finish line or something.

It was a relief to talk to him-- he is understandably mixed with emotions.

[Jo-Jo]

I'm actually surprised that they weren't being set to go off around the time the leaders were finishing, when all the media would've been focused on the finish area.

Hubbie Ro-Ro wondered the same thing. He also pondered.."this race was being dedicated to the Newton Familes...and today there was a vote in the Senate regarding gun stuff...I'm thinking this is an inside the US terrorist attack...and not one from outside"

hmm..interesting...we'll see...

[Jo-Jo]

I just talked to my friend Dean (who used to post here) on skype. II hadn't heard from him but knew he didn't finish. He was way behind in time because he got tripped up at a water station and wiped out. Then he ended up running slower and relaxing ... he was within a mile of the finish when he got turned away. They didn't know why- they just heard of some emergency -- thought someone collapsed at the finish line or something.

It was a relief to talk to him-- he is understandably mixed with emotions.

Good to hear Dean is safe.
I am sure most people who were on that course today will have very mixed emotion...those who finised...and those who didn't get the opportunity.

[DJHL]

It's been a while since i have been here but I had to check in to make sure everybody is ok after the shocking news out of Boston. At the same time, I feel so bad for the dead and injured - this is so difficult to take in especially with the marathon being such a positive celebration of life. Words fail me.

[HCcD]

I'm actually surprised that they weren't being set to go off around the time the leaders were finishing, when all the media would've been focused on the finish area.

Hubbie Ro-Ro wondered the same thing. He also pondered.."this race was being dedicated to the Newton Familes...and today there was a vote in the Senate regarding gun stuff...I'm thinking this is an inside the US terrorist attack...and not one from outside"

hmm..interesting...we'll see...

According, to the latest CNN speculation, is that the perp(s) may have attempted to target the leaders, but were unable to get past the security and crowds, and subsequently, may have just left the bombs, and possibly triggered it via remote ... ???

[lorei]

In case you saw the video of the runner who fell over as a result of the blast --- he's alright! Just a scraped knee.

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/201304 ... -in-Boston

I'm having a really tough time with this... My heart is broken for the city of Boston and the victims... So senseless.

[Tarsals]

This is so awful. I hope everyone on here and their loved ones are all okay. My heart goes out to those in Boston.

[UltraQueenga]

I was shocked to hear what happened in Boston. I was driving home when I heard it on 680News. They had CNN coverage by a reporter who was waiting for his brother to finish. All I kept thinking was "I wonder who from the people I know might be there?" I'm relieved to hear that Ken and other maniacs are safe. A few ultrabuddies were in the race, some finished, some ran a 40-41k. I pray that everyone is safe and gets out of there unscathed. Awful to think how this is going to change the way big marathons are organized...
Happy trails everyone,
UQ

[anners]

I haven't been on here in ages either, but I had to check up on our Boston maniacs. Glad that everyone is accounted for. Dee, ((hugs)) to you, stay safe.

[lorei]

This was a great missive penned by Patton Oswalt....

https://www.facebook.com/pattonoswalt/p ... 0800582655

...I don't know what's going to be revealed to be behind all of this mayhem. One human insect or a poisonous mass of broken sociopaths.

But here's what I DO know. If it's one person or a HUNDRED people, that number is not even a fraction of a fraction of a fraction of a percent of the population on this planet. You watch the videos of the carnage and there are people running TOWARDS the destruction to help out...

....the vast majority stands against that darkness and, like white blood cells attacking a virus, they dilute and weaken and eventually wash away the evil doers and, more importantly, the damage they wreak. This is beyond religion or creed or nation. We would not be here if humanity were inherently evil. We'd have eaten ourselves alive long ago.

So when you spot violence, or bigotry, or intolerance or fear or just garden-variety misogyny, hatred or ignorance, just look it in the eye and think, "The good outnumber you, and we always will."

[fingerboy]

Hi guys,

thanks for the concern and the tracking. My wife and I are fine - and back in Toronto. We left the area probably 20 min before (thankfully for an early flight) or I would have probably been still in the area for sure. I was staying right at the Westin. My friends told me they heard the blast and I was I guess just at the airport. Really really sad and emotional end to the day.

The flights (at least ours) were fine. We left right on time (5pm) though there was some confusion at the airport for sure. We almost got delayed indefinitely but our pilot contacted the right people.

[Jo-Jo]

Hi guys,

thanks for the concern and the tracking. My wife and I are fine - and back in Toronto. We left the area probably 20 min before (thankfully for an early flight) or I would have probably been still in the area for sure. I was staying right at the Westin. My friends told me they heard the blast and I was I guess just at the airport. Really really sad and emotional end to the day.

The flights (at least ours) were fine. We left right on time (5pm) though there was some confusion at the airport for sure. We almost got delayed indefinitely but our pilot contacted the right people.

Thanks for the check in Jonas. I'm looking forward to your race report...it looks like you ran much of the race right around a friend of mine from Kingston...you guys were neck and neck for most of the race

[Irongirl]

I am happy to see everyone checking in on rm (both those that were on Boston and those that haven't been online in awhile checking in on rm-ers)....really shows how much of we community we are.

If you haven't seen the note going around on Twitter and Facebook, wear a race shirt tomorrow....runners stand together in support of Boston.

Or, wear Boston marathon blue and yellow if a race shirt doesn't quite meet your dress code....

[CAW]

And here's an image you can use for your profile pic, if you so choose.

[Jogger Barbie]

I am sure most people who were on that course today will have very mixed emotion...those who finished...and those who didn't get the opportunity.

Checking in and so glad to see that no one lost a loved one or had one terribly injured.

And yes, as a runner on that course today, definitely mixed emotions. Can't say anything more coherent than that right now... Thanks everyone for following up and checking up on people.

[deb]

I, too have not been here for awhile, but had to check in, once a maniac always a maniac. Glad to hear all the runners are ok, i'm so angry and sad and shocked and.....well....speechless.

I just dont get it.

[turd ferguson]

I'm not paying much attention to the mainstream news tonight. The firsthand stuff on the internet is incredible.

http://www.reddit.com/r/running/comment ... on/c9ftn98

http://www.reddit.com/r/news/comments/1 ... _thread_3/

[Jwolf]

I'm actually surprised that they weren't being set to go off around the time the leaders were finishing, when all the media would've been focused on the finish area.

Hubbie Ro-Ro wondered the same thing. He also pondered.."this race was being dedicated to the Newton Familes...and today there was a vote in the Senate regarding gun stuff...I'm thinking this is an inside the US terrorist attack...and not one from outside"

hmm..interesting...we'll see...

Just a small correction but in case there is confusion- the school shootings were in Newtown, Connecticut- unrelated but sounds similar to Newton, Massachusetts (which is on the marathon course).

Very nice to dedicate the race to the families from Newtown (I hadn't heard about that) and I sincerely hope today's terrorist attacks were unrelated (not that it would make any more or less sense either way).