Boston Marathon Explosions: Minnesota Runners and Residents Recount Experience, Share Updates

During the Boston Marathon April 15, two explosions occurred near the finish line—killing three and injuring more than 100 people, according to a report from Fenway-Kenmore Patch.

Among the 23,000 runners at the annual race were approximately 500 Minnesota residents, according to StarTribune.com. Here is what some of the runners shared about the incident and their experience. Click on the headline to read the full story.

Roseville Runner: Boston Marathon Bombings "Surreal"

Eric Kronback said he thought the two explosions were cannons.

Blocks Away from Boston Marathon Explosions: Lake Elmo Woman Recounts 'A War Zone'

“All of a sudden I heard two huge blasts—and everything went silent," Chris Hess-Withbroe said from her Boston hotel room Monday evening. "Next thing I knew I saw people running hysterically through the streets."

(Updated) Plymouth Runner Was Near Boston Marathon Bomb Site: Star Tribune

Kevin Schooler, 42, was two blocks away according to his mother, the newspaper reported. Tobin Johnson of Plymouth was also there and told MPR News he is lucky.

UPDATED: Sen. Dibble Among Those Present at Boston Marathon

Reports and updates on the reported explosions on Boylston Street near the finish line of the Boston Marathon.

Hennepin County Judge 1-2 Blocks From Boston Marathon Explosions

Jay Quam had just met up with his wife and daughter.

UPDATED: Three Richfield Boston Marathon Runners Reported 'Safe' on Facebook

Reports and updates on the explosions on Boylston Street near the finish line of the Boston Marathon.

Maple Grove Resident Describes Scene at 2013 Boston Marathon

Boston Herald: “I was just finished and collecting my medal when it went off,” Mike McMahan of Maple Grove said.

The Boston Marathon

Woodbury Patch blogger: "It was bad, what happened in Boston, yesterday. As a city and as a nation and as a world we’ll survive it."

Richfield Family Makes it Home from Boston Marathon

Nadine Brown participated in the race while some of her family members cheered her on from the sidelines. She finished the race before the blasts.

Eagan Runner Finished Boston Marathon 45 Minutes Before Bombing

"I don’t understand why anyone would target this crew, this group. No marathon hurts anyone. When I go out and run 20 miles, the only one I’m hurting is myself."

Paul Rode Hopes to Raise Money for Boston Marathon Bombing Victim

Businessman and philanthropist Paul Rode hopes to raise thousands of dollars for the family of Krystle Campbell, a 29-year-old restaurant manager who died as a result of terrorist attack, by gathering Tuesday night at Starrs Tavern in Hudson.

Wayzata Boston Marathon Runner to KSTP: 'Sounded Like a Cannon

'I just wanted to get out of there,' Susan Vickerman said.

Moms RUN This Town - on the Boston Marathon Tragedy

Maple Grove Patch blogger: "To the running community, it holds an extra degree of heartbreak."

Southwest Sports Store is HQ for Runners Showing Support for Boston Marathon Victims

The Southwest Minneapolis shop is a regular Tuesday night meetup spot, but this Tuesday was special, KSTP-TV reported.

Deerwood Teacher Witnesses Marathon Bombing; 'My First Instinct Was to Get Out'

Inver Grove Heights resident Heather Walseth, an ESL teacher in Rosemount and Eagan, finished the marathon 10 minutes before the bombing.

Editor’s note: Runners, residents and readers – share your experience/thoughts about the incident at the Boston Marathon in comments below.

Related Content

• (Fenway-Kenmore Patch)
• PHOTOS: Explosions at Boston Marathon (Fenway-Kenmore Patch)
• Red Cross Statement on Boston Marathon Explosions (Red Cross)
• Boston Marathon Help: Relief Groups Aid Victims (How To Help) (Huffington Post)