Community Corner
Downers Grove Runners Reported Safe After Boston Marathon Explosions
Families of Downers Grove runners were relieved to hear their loved ones were safe after the marathon was rocked by two explosions about three hours after the winners crossed the finish line.
Two explosions Monday near the finish line of the Boston Marathon have left three dead and more than 140 injured, news sources are reporting.
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Bloodied competitors and volunteers were seen leaving the scene and a medical tent near the finish was being used to treat the injured, the New York Times reported.
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Nearly 40,000 people compete in the Boston Marathon annually with runners coming from all over the world.
Ten runners from Downers Grove were registered for the marathon; all but two have recorded finish times, according to the Boston Athletic Association website.
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Downers Grove resident Rachel Michaels, a student at the University of Missouri - Columbia, said her mother, Felicia Michaels, and her mother's fiancé, Michael Platzke, were at the marathon at the time of the explosions and are safe. Platzke finished about an hour before the explosions, but he and Felicia Michaels are stuck in the city while mass transit is shut down.
Another Downers Grove resident, Stephen Skegg, was also reported safe after finishing the race at the 03:36:28 mark. His wife, Kate, said she has been unable to reach his cell, but her son received a text message confirming his safety.
"It's been a sad, scary day, but my son did receive a text from him so we're grateful he's safe," Kate Skegg said.
Other Downers Grove residents registered for the marathon were:
- Katerina Claiborne
- Teri Lavelle
- Michael McCahey
- Ellen O'Brien
- David Sheppard
- Larry Somma
- Eric Sopp
- Neil Weerakoon
All but two of the Downers Grove runners have finish times recorded on the Boston Marathon website: Terri Lavelle and Ellen O'Brien were registered, but did not have any recorded times Monday.
Do you know one of these runners? Update us with their status by emailing Editor Amanda Luevano at amanda@patch.com or calling 630-886-7917.
Check Patch later for more on this developing story.
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