SASKATOON – The devastation caused by explosions at the 117th Boston Marathon on Monday has had an effect on a local businessman and runner.
Saskatoon runner Brian Michasiw has participated in close to 20 marathons in cities like Lisbon and Chicago.
“If anyone has any interest in running – on their bucket list is to run Boston. Boston, to a runner, is practically everything,” said Michasiw.
For Michasiw, who owns Brainsport, the events that unfolded south of the border have affected him in a personal way.
“I literally have goose bumps thinking about the fact that that easily could have been me.”
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Michasiw has attended the race in Boston before as a spectator, standing directly across the street from the area where 3 died and 176 people were injured yesterday.
“I’ve only been to Boston a couple of times, but both times, that’s where I was. I was on that street. There’s a running store there, so obviously I’m going to go to that running store,” he said.
More than 2,000 Canadians signed up for the race and 22 from Saskatchewan were registered, though some opted out just weeks before the marathon got underway.
With more than 37,000 people poised to take to the London Marathon, many in the running community are on alert, including Saskatchewan Marathon organizers.
The local race is scheduled to take place on May 26 with a record draw of 4,000 participants.
“We have a lot of medics on site. We have medic tents on site, we have people along the course as well and then we also have people who are on bicycles traversing the entire route,” said race co-director, Shad Ali.
Ali also said there will likely be some form of commemoration for the victims of the explosions at the Saskatoon Marathon.
“By and large, people are saddened by what’s happened, but they’re also not wanting to allow it to dampen their spirits or their commitment to running,” said Ali.
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