REGINA – After reports that 2 people were killed and dozens more seriously injured when an explosion went off at the Boston Marathon on Monday afternoon, many people in our province were concerned for the well-being of the 22 Saskatchewan runners registered to compete.
Basil Pappas was competing in his first ever Boston Marathon and was on his way back to the hotel when chaos ensued.
“The first explosion was very loud and it caught my attention and then a second boom came quickly after and then I got worried.” Pappas told Global News.
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Regina girl Cari Markewich was running in her second ever Boston Marathon and crossed the finish line about 20 minutes before the explosions went off.
“I was heading to the hotel when I heard what sounded like two large cannons is probably the closest thing I could make it sound like and they were about 15 seconds apart,” Markewich told Global News from her Boston hotel room.
“People seemed shocked and confused and within a couple of minutes people started coming to the area and evacuating the building.”
Markewich finished her race in just under 3.5 hours and was very relieved to be through the finish line before the explosions.
Markewich added that her hotel seemed to be a spot where runners were meeting up.
“People were quite calm but very very somber and fearful.”
Markewich added this is not something you would expect to happen at an event like the Boston Marathon.
“I would rather be on a plane right now to be honest.”
Marathon trainer Ted Jaleta has spoken to most of the runners from Regina and has confirmed that everyone is unhurt.
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