The bombings last year killed three people, including Martin Richard from Dorchester, who was eight years old and waiting to hug his father, Bill after finishing. At least 176 were hospitalized, including 17 critically injured. In a gruesome spectacle, several victims lost arms and legs. Last year I emailed Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to run the Boston Marathon in 1967, at her Boston hotel for her take on what happened. “It was awful. I had just finished a five-hour broadcast and left the finish line and was back at my hotel when it happened, so I was safe and so was Roger (her husband) in the hotel press room,” Switzer said.
“The hotel went into lockdown so we watched on TV and from our window. I am grateful not to be hurt but so sad for the tragedy and destruction of others. We will mourn the dead and injured. I also mourn the Boston Marathon and how it’s now been brutally disfigured.”
Switzer reported this week to AOL, “One year ago today, I was at the finish line of the Boston Marathon doing my 36th consecutive television broadcast for WBZ-TV Boston. After wrapping a five-hour broadcast, I left the area 20 minute before the deadly bombings. Suddenly the sport I grew up with, the force wholly for good had also become big enough to be a terrorist’s dream photo op.”
Next Monday the Boston marathon will be stronger than ever with record numbers of runners, supporters, returning heroes and the Bostonians spirit that was captured on signs, and in the media, saying: “We are resilient – We are Boston Strong.”
