Severn Runner Recalls Post-Race Scene

Tammie Wonning of Severn completed her first Boston Marathon on Monday. About 30 minutes after crossing the finish line, she heard two explosions coming from nearby. Her mother was also near the finish line. Neither of them were hurt.

Wonning completed the race in 3 hours, 54 minutes. 

Wonning is an avid runner and triathlete, and has used her participation to raise money for cancer-related causes. 

On Saturday, she plans to run a 24-hour Run for Cancer in Hampton, VA, and will also run in support of those impacted in Boston. 

"I am no longer running just for those affected by Cancer, but to also honor Boston," she told Patch. "If I don't run, the terrorist wins."

This is her account of the experience Monday.

--

This was my first run at Boston and I was so happy to be crossing that finish line. This was truly a celebration for me and I was so excited to be there. Every moment of that race prior to the explosion was going to be etched into my memory. I was savoring every bit of it and couldn't wait to write my race report.

Upon crossing the line, my legs cramped up and my body temperature dropped. I was shaking uncontrollably and another runner noticed and had gotten the medics to take me into the medical tent across from the finish line. While I was in there, we heard the first explosion. It sounded like a cannon going off and everyone looked at each other as if to say "Was that supposed to happen?" and "what was that?"

Seconds later the 2nd explosion occurred, at which time everyone realized something bad had just happened. In a matter of seconds people were being wheeled into the tent where I was. The medical professionals were rushing to get those of us all ready in there into a safe location while getting the incoming victims the urgent care they needed. I was scared, and seeing the injured folks only heightened that for me. The medical staff and volunteers were trying to calm me and several others down. I kept moving further and further out of the way and realized they were letting those of us with non-urgent needs out of the tent. I was worried my mother was close to the finish line and I knew she had no idea I was even in the med tent so I had to get out to find her. I found out later that she had seen both explosions and what she had seen was just as bad—if not worse—than what I had.

Prior to the race, my mother and I had set up a few areas to meet with times to be there incase we missed each other. When I exited the tent, I headed toward one of the spots. I couldn't find her. I decided to go get my bag I had prior to the start as my cell phone was in it and I knew that was the only way we were going to find each other. Due the explosions, a lot of things had been moved and it took some time to find my stuff. Once I got to my phone, cell coverage had been pretty much stopped. I was finally able to connect with my sister who was able to connect with my mom. While I was waiting for her, I heard a third explosion. I later learned this was the one in the JFK Library and it wasn't an explosion but something related to the fire system at the library.

There was the usual display of grief and shock from everyone around. Many people comforted me as I walked or waited as it was pretty obvious I was having a hard time dealing with the tragedy.  I can say that the City of Boston and all of the first responders (medics, police, firefighters, SWAT, bomb quad) handled the tragedy amazingly. Even the volunteers and officials at the race were absolutely amazing in how they handled the event. 

There are no words that can adequately describe what I saw or experienced yesterday. You don't walk away from something like that without feeling grief and sadness for those who lives were tragically changed.  There is a bit of survivor guilt and the realization that "it could have been me—or my mom—or both."  It was a sad, sad day for the City of Boston, The Boston Athletic Association, the running community and everyone involved. If there is any light in this, I know that we all will find a way to become stronger because of this.  There will be a lot of healing that will be done. But we will make it through.