Four Local Runners Finished Marathon Before Explosion

(Update at 4:40 p.m.)—Four of the six Lake Forest and Lake Bluff Runners competing in today’s Boston Marathon finished the race before two explosions went off near the finish line. The blasts occurred 4:09 after the race began, according to video on CNN.

Andre Bennatan, Iain Campbell, Francis Griffin and James Sykora all completed the 26-mile, 385-yard course before the explosion, according to the marathon website. Bennatan ran the race in 2:56.26, Campbell in 3:28.28, Griffin in 3:23.52 and Sykora in 3:46.48.

Lynne Hans was halfway through the race in 2:57.40 while no time was yet posted for David Walsh, according to the marathon website. The marathon was cancelled shortly after the blasts, according to CNN.

(Earlier at 3:20 p.m.)—The Boston Globe is reporting that there were two explosions near the finish line of the Boston Marathon.

Time Magazine is reporting that two people have been killed and 22 are injured.

According to CNN, the explosions occurred a few seconds apart at about 2:45 p.m., according to CNN.

The Boston Marathon headquarters is on lockdown, according to Reuters.

Boston Marathon officials shared this message on Facebook: "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."

The Boston Marathon website shows that 974 people from Illinois are participating in this year's event, including five from Lake Forest and Lake Bluff: Andre Bennatan, Iain Campbell, Francis Griffin, Lynne Hans and James Sykora. David Walsh (Lake Bluff).

For live updates and photos, check in with the BackBay Patch in Massachusetts.

Do you know anyone who is running the marathon? Tell us in the comment section.