Brookfield Man Nears the Finish of Marathon as Explosion Closes Course

Mike McGurk had completed his first marathon last year during the Lakefront Marathon. It was also a qualifying run to get him into the Boston Marathon, an event that any runner dreams about.

"I guess you would call it something on my bucket list," he told Brookfield Patch. "It was the thrill of a lifetime to take part in this event."

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However, in the 26th mile of the course, McGurk got word that the course had been closed, and his race would go unfinished. However, he said that as word quickly spread from the finish line on back about the explosions that went off at the finish line area, there was little time to be angry.

"My family was here with me and knew pretty much where I was along on the course, so they were going to meet me at the finish line," he said.

Quickly, cell phone service was sketchy, and McGurk said he eventually walked over to the spectators lining the remainder of the course, in hopes of connecting with his wife Donna, and sons Bill and Jim. After about three or four unsuccessful attempts, he was able to connect with his family through a text message.

"It seemed like it took forever, but I finally got to them near the finish. I think it took about an hour, and they were OK, but shaken and told me they were close enough that they could smell the smoke," he said. "My wife's ears are still ringing."

The McGurk family sent and email to friends and relatives, telling them they were shaken but physically OK. 

"Except for a scrape on Donna's knee, and all 3 of them being forced to breathe some awful smoke, they were very fortunate to not be injured by the explosion," McGurk wrote. "Bill had soot on his face, Donna's ears are still ringing, and after seeing pictures of the scene, we know how close it was.  There was blood on the sidewalk 10 feet from where they were standing. We were very, very lucky."

McGurk said it didn't bother him that he didn't cross the finish line, but admitted: "I might feel differently in a couple of weeks, though."

However, he said he was angry "that we have people in this world who want to cause such harm. This is such a prestigious event, and there are people who come from all over the world to be a part of it. It's forever tarnished now."