CALGARY- As runners around the world gear up for the Boston Marathon, thoughts are also with those who died in the bombing during last year’s event.
Gerry Miller and Jan Wolney are just some of the 125 runners from Calgary who will be taking part in this year’s race.
They’ve competed in it four times, including last year. 77-year-old Miller was just a few blocks from the finish line when the blasts went off.
“I was sprinting to the finish line,” he remembers. “The second bomb, I heard it, and I saw all the white smoke. Then the cop stopped me.”
He adds that it was moving how many people rushed to help.
“The people down there are so wonderful, and they were so good at trying to help all of us. A lady brought out a blanket from her house and wrapped it around me, and said take it home.
“That brought a lot of tears to my eyes.”
Miller says he’s looking forward to finishing the run this year.
“It’s such a privilege to be able to go back, to honour those families who are hurting so badly.”
The Boston Marathon happens next Monday.
-With files from Gil Tucker
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