Boston Marathon Explosions: How Did Newton Respond?

Updated 9:30 a.m.

When two explosions went off at the Boston Marathon finish line in Copley Square Monday, most runners in Newton were focused on how they would get over Heartbreak Hill, unaware of what was happening just five miles down the road.

As of Monday night, three people were reported dead after the explosions and more than 100 were injured. 

Here in Newton, we've heard from a handful of runners who informed us last night that they are safe and sound -- but more than 150 Newton and Chestnut Hill runners were participating in Monday's Boston Marathon and 50 of those runners made it to the finish line, according to the Boston Athletic Association website. 

We would still like to hear from more Newton runners to know you are OK. Leave a comment below this story or on this callout. (See below for reports from some runners). 

A short while after the bombs went off in Boston, several "suspicious packages" were reported in Newton. 

One suspicious package, an unattended backpack in Newton Centre, stopped traffic, according to YourTown Newton.

The backpack, which was near the intersection of Furber Lane and Commonwealth Avenue, was checked out by Mass. State Police and eventually deemed safe, according to the Newton Fire Department. 

All other suspicious packages reported in the city were also cleared as safe, the Fire Department said. 

Once the severity of the situation in Boston was realized, runners in Newton were halted along the course and instructed to head to shelters set up along the route at Newton City Hall and Boston College.

Some runners were bused to Boston meeting areas while others waited for rides from friends and family, according to Newton Police Lt. Bruce Apotheker.

Meanwhile, Boston College helped provide food and drinks to those who were stranded at the shelters, according to BC Spokesman Jack Dunn. 

Apotheker said Monday's work between the Newton Police, Boston Police, BAA officials, Boston College Police and Boston College school officials was a "great effort by all" and commended everyone for "stepping up to the plate."

One of the runners injured at the explosion was treated locally, at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. According to Director of Public Marketing Brian O'Dea, the female runner was treated for an ear injury and released.

Reports from Newton runners

Newton runners Ginger Howell and Joey Naylor made it to the finish line. Patch learned that they are safe and were unharmed in the explosions.

Tim Kelly, another Newton runner who is safe and sound, told Patch he was just a half mile from the finish line when he heard the explosions. 

Patch reached out to other local runners who we profiled and Bruno Miquel, Jessica Rossman, Scott Lundin, Kate Hutchinson and Jack Prior have all reported that they were safe after the race.

The Project Hope team out of Dunn Gaherin's in Newton Upper Falls reported via Twitter that their team is OK.

We also checked in with the folks at the Heartbreak Hill Running Company, who informed Patch via Twitter that everyone they know is OK.

Newtonville native Emily Burke was stopped roughly a mile from the finish line and is OK as well.

If you need to reach out to family, runners and loved ones, you can use the Red Cross Safe and Well site, the Google People Finder, or by calling 617-635-4500.

Do you have a story to share from the race? Please leave a comment below or email Editor Melanie Graham at Melanie.Graham@patch.com.

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