Sports

Laguna Beach Runners in Boston Marathon, Site of Fatal Explosions

Five are listed as finishing before explosions went off, while another appears to have withdrawn before starting. Orange County authorities activated 'high alert' for local community events.

Six Laguna Beach residents either ran in or registered for the Boston Marathon on Monday, with five finishing before explosions reportedly claimed the lives of two people and injured more than 100 near the finish line.

Click here for the latest on the Boston Marathon explosions.

One Laguna Beach registrant, Bob Rowan, appeared to have withdrawn before the race began, as the official runner monitoring page listed no split times for him.

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Dozens of Orange County residents participated in the marathon, including Laguna Beach's John Loftus, who won the age 54-59 division. Most of the Orange County runners finished the race before the explosions. There was no immediate word on whether any were among those injured by the explosion.

“Although the tragic incident in Boston, Massachusetts this afternoon appears to be isolated, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department is on  heightened alert,” said Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens. “Our deputies will have an increased presence at local sporting/entertainment venues and other large gathering places.

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In a statement on its Facebook page, the Boston Marathon said, "There were two bombs that exploded near the finish line in today's Boston Marathon. We are working with law enforcement to understand what exactly has happened."

Several gruesome photos have been shared on Twitter from reporters and runners who said they were at the scene, some appearing to show individuals missing limbs and blood splattered across the sidewalk.

According to the Boston Athletic Association site, these Laguna Beach runners finished well before the blasts:

  • Peter Kimball, age 48, 03:23:28
  • Stephen Kimball, age 50, 03:22:55
  • John Loftus, age 55, 02:42:14
  • Bob Rowan, age 52, (appears to have withdrawn; no times listed)
  • Bryn Valaika, age 20, 03:39:05
  • Karen Valaika, age 53, 03:34:39

These marks are “gun times,” not the actual times from start to finish, since many thousands of entrants don’t reach the starting line until minutes after the gun goes off.

Boston Backbay Patch is covering story.

Patch will provide updates.


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