Update: Former Iowa Runner Nukuri-Johnson Reports She is Safe After Boston Marathon Explosion

Update 4:01 p.m. Diane Nukuri Johnson reports she is safe.

Former University of Iowa runner and Iowa City resident Diane Nukuri-Johnson responded in an e-mail to Iowa City Patch that she was not harmed by the explosion. When asked for an account of the incident she declined:

I am ok. Thank you! I didn't see the explosions but I heard them. I am not allowed to give interviews and I didn't see anything. I am just watching on TV just like everybody else. Sorry I can't help 

Previous Coverage

Iowa City resident and former Hawkeye runner Diane Nukuri-Johnson wanted to perform well at her first Boston Marathon, and she achieved that goal, finishing eighth among women runners on Monday.

Unfortunately that's not what this particular race will likely be remembered for, as two explosions were set off at the finish line "long after the winners had finished the race."

Scores Injured by Explosion at Boston Marathon Finish Line

More stories from Iowa:

Central Iowans React to News of Boston Marathon Explosions

Report: 3 Cedar Falls Brothers Safe After Boston Marathon Explosions

 2 explosions rock finish of Boston Marathon — widespread injuries reported (NBC News)

The race is a signature event in Boston. Race organizers said that almost 27,000 runners competed, representing 96 countries. Tens of thousands of spectators turn out each year to watch. A special marker at the 26th mile of the course, yards from the finish, had been set up to honor the 26 dead in the Newtown, Conn., elementary school shooting last December.

The race began at 10 a.m., and the explosions were reported just before 3 p.m. The winners had long ago completed the race, but the explosions came as masses of other runners were approaching the finish. NBC affiliate WHDH said that storefront windows nearby were blown out.

Nukuri-Johnson, profiled here before her Olympic try, finished just three minutes out of first place. Here are the standings for the women:

1. Rita Jeptoo, Kenya, 2:26:25.

2. Meseret Hailu, Ethiopia, 2:26:58.

3. Sharon Cherop, Kenya, 2:27:01.

4. Shalane Flanagan, Portland, Ore., 2:27:08.

5. Tirfi Tsegaye, Ethiopia, 2:28:09.

6. Kara Goucher, Portland, Ore., 2:28:11.

7. Madai Perez, Mexico, 2:28:59

8. Diane Nukuri-Johnson, Iowa City, 2:29:54.

9. Ana Dulce Felix, Portugal, 2:30:05.

10. Sabrina Mockenhaupt, Germany, 2:30:09.

11. Diana Sigei, Kenya, 2:33:02.

12. Mamitu Daska, Ethiopia, 2:33:31.

13. Alemitu Abera, Ethiopia, 2:33:46.

14. Yolanda Caballero, Colombia, 2:35:10.

15. Stephanie Rothstein-Bruce, Flagstaff, Ariz., 2:35:31.