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UPDATE: Boston Marathon explosion: Local runners 500 metres from blast

Image Credit: SOURCE/Twitter@GuyCodes

STOCKWELL DAY WILL RUN NEXT YEAR: 'WON'T BE INTIMIDATED'

5:15 p.m. April 15, 2013

Former Okanagan-Coquihalla MP Stockwell Day says an achilles injury prevented him from running in the Boston Marathon this year, but vowed to run it next year.

"We have to stand up," he says. "I plan to train and qualify and run again next year in memory of those who weren't able to finish this year and to stand up and show we won't be intimidated."

Day confirmed late today that while he was entered in the race, his injury kept him out. It would have been his third Boston Marathon, which he typically runs with family.

"If I ran this year I would have been right there at the finish cheering everyone to the finish," he says. "This is especially close to my heart and one of the reasons I will run next year."

On the wire:

Boston Marathon head says organizers are committed to running 2014 race

Harper sends 'thoughts and prayers' to victims, families of Boston blast

Canadians returning home from Boston Marathon Carnage

 

4:20 p.m. - April 15, 2013

Image Credit: SOURCE/Twitter@Stockwell_Day

Stockwell Day has sent a Twitter message to say he was scheduled to run in the Boston Marathon but had to cancel this year.

"Bostonians and runners need our prayers," Day tweeted. "So heartbreaking. Thank you to many asking about me."

Video Credit: SOURCE/Youtube
Boston Marathon the moment the first bomb went off, April 15, 2013.

3:41 p.m. - April 15, 2013

David and Beth Regehr of Coldstream.
David and Beth Regehr of Coldstream.
Image Credit: SOURCE/Facebook

Two Boston Marathon runners from Coldstream, and their husbands, are okay after a frightful experience. 

Marnie Kovaks had just run the race, while her her husband Cpl. Gerry Kovaks watched from the sidelines. RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says both are fine. 

Beth Regehr was also running while her husband, David Regehr, a local dentist cheered her on. Staff at David's dentist office say the two have checked in and are safe. 

3:21 p.m. - April 15, 2013

Laurelee Nelson during the Ironman race.
Laurelee Nelson during the Ironman race.
Image Credit: SOURCE/Facebook

Kelowna sisters running their second Boston Marathon were well finished by the time bomb blasts went off today at the Boston Marathon.

Mel Brandt says her mother Laurelee Neslon and aunt Cindy Rhodes are safe.

"I spoke to (Nelson) about an hour ago," Brandt says. "They are secure in their hotel room and we don't know when they might be able to leave."

Liza Burgess and family.
Liza Burgess and family.
Image Credit: SOURCE/Facebook

Another runner, Liza Burgess, told Infotel News she is also safe.

"I got out of Boston as soon as I finished," she said. "Good thing my leg worked today otherwise I would have been there at the wrong time."

3:07 p.m. - April 15, 2013

Kelowna runners say they're ok. First picture: Pat and Corrine Gable. Second picture: Liz Borrett.
Kelowna runners say they're ok. First picture: Pat and Corrine Gable. Second picture: Liz Borrett.
Image Credit: SOURCE/Facebook

Three more Okanagan athletes are saying they are safe following multiple explosions at the Boston Marathon finish line today. Pat and Corrine Gable from Kelowna completed the race and were close to the action as the bombs went off.

"Corrine and I are okay," Pat Gable said. "We were about 500-plus meters past the finish line in the chute picking up Corrine's bag when the first two explosions went off. Liz Borrett was closer yet reporting that she was getting her medal at the time. Pretty scary stuff. Very unnerving. Corrine has a health issue with her ticker that was supposed to have us back off on her pace. We were going to run a 4:25 to 4:30 time but ran a 3:59. The explosions went off at 4:26 on our watches. Corrine says somebody was looking out for us."

2:54 p.m. - April 15, 2013

John Stanton Jr of The Running Room said his company is scrambling to find friends among the chaos, including runners from Kelowna.

The company has helped many local runners qualify for the marathon and he is trying to reach his own CFO who is on the ground. They managed to reach him by email but so far cell phone communication has been difficult.

"He was walking in the lobby of his hotel when he heard the first explosion," he says. "He went to his room and heard the second explosion and after that they told everyone to stay in their rooms."

He said regardless of where they are from, runners around the world will be effected.

"The finish line is traditionally a celebration of personal achievement that happens," he says. "That is the sad thing. On top of all the tragedy that happened there, people were there to celebrate that achievement and that was taken away from them."

2:49 p.m. - April 15, 2013 (added April 16, 2013)

Premier Christy Clark has issued the following statement following an
explosion in Boston:

"Our immediate thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those
killed and injured by today's terrible explosion near the finish line of
the Boston Marathon.

"While we don't have full details, it's clear that first responders are
to be commended for their quick and professional actions.

"Regardless of the cause, it's a dreadful thing to happen - particularly
near the very spot where runners and spectators from around the globe
have been celebrating athletic achievement for the past 117 years.

"Our government stands ready to offer whatever assistance may be needed
in light of this tragedy."

2:30 p.m. - April 15, 2013

Norm Letnick called today to let us know one of his campaign managers, who ran the marathon at age 74, is OK.

He said Liz Borrett posted to her Facebook account just a few minutes ago letting everyone know she finished the race and was well away from danger.

"She is fine, she is travelling with her two sons and won second for her age group," he says. "As far as we know she is fine."

2:25 p.m. - April 15, 2013

News is developing about explosions at the Boston Marathon finish line and the entrant list for the 2013 race shows multiple listings for athletes in the Okanagan including Stockwell Day, former leader of the Canadian Alliance and MP for the Okanagan-Coquihalla riding.

Further investigation of the list shows Day did not have a start time and may not have participated in the Marathon. Infotel News is working on speaking with Day and others about their well-being.

Along with Day, there are multiple residents from the Okanagan listed. There are no Kamloops residents listed.

Barb Logie of Kelowna is waiting by the phone for news of her friend Liz Borrett. Borrett, 74, finished the marathon, but Logie still has no news.

"We sent notes to everyone to please tell us if they hear something from her," she says. "We are very concerned for her."

Logie believes her two sons are with her in Boston. Borrett has only been running marathons for the last five years and qualified for the race.

Okanagan registrants include:

Kelowna
Elizabeth Borrett, age 74; Liza Burgess, age 34; Corrine Gable, age 48; Patrick Gable, age 49; Laurelee S. Nelson, age 58; Keith Parks, age 52; Myung Randall, age 50; Cindy Rhodes, age 56.

West Kelowna
Stockwell Day, 62.

Peachland
Ryan Onyschuk, 31.

Coldstream
Marnie Kovacs, age 40; Beth Regehr age 55.

Penticton
Ellis Andrews, age 68; Thomas Evans, age 44.

To contact a reporter for this story, email: jwallace@infotelnews.ca or call (250) 319-7494.

 

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