Local runners safe in deadly Boston Marathon bombing

By Aldo Amato
Staff Reporter

MADISON — Runners from both Huntsville and Madison are safe after a bombing at the finish line of the Boston Marathon killed two and left dozens injured on April 15.

According to multiple reports, the explosions were the result of a terrorist attack. Authorities disarmed other explosives in the area and the race was shut down. The Red Cross is on the scene in Boston to provide assistance.

Michelle Nesin and John Hunt were up at the event. Nesin said that her husband finished only a half hour before the explosions.

“He was running and finished about 30 minutes before everything happened,” she said. “We were about two blocks away at the family meeting area. We did not hear it and were a block away and saw it on the news.”

Nesin along with their 5-year-old son watched the event this year. She said after they saw what was going on, they tried keeping it as much as possible yet at the same time, telling him that these were real events.

“Because he was seeing so much of it on the news, he saw what was going on,” she said. “He was like ‘mommy that’s a bomb, that’s a bomb’ so we stayed in the park and allowed him to ride the carousel while we waited. The public transportation was completely shut down.”

Nesin said they were able to get in touch with Fleet Feet-Huntsville owner Suzanne Taylor and were currently staying with her.

“We were able to stay with Suzzanne Taylor from Fleet Feet,”  she said. “We won’t be coming back until Wednesday.”

Steve Carter with Fleet Feet-Huntsville said that they have been in contact with owner Suzanne Taylor and her husband Dink and that both are fine.

“As far as we know, they both are safe,” Carter said. “Everything is fine with all the runners we know from the Huntsville area.”

Nesin just wanted to relay that her family is safe and is praying for the victims.

“We’re safe and very sorry that this happened at this event and have this thing happen.”