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By Ariele Johannson and Miriam Raftery
April 16, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – After two bombs exploded at the finish line of yesterday’s Boston Marathon 3 hours and 45 minutes into the race, East County Magazine’s reporting team and other local media have been working to learn the fates of local residents in the race. Nearly 200 runners were from San Diego County. Of those, 18 were East County or inland areas—and six of those did not finish the race.
Ramona Patch reports that Ramona resident Steven Tally crossed the finish line moments before the bombs exploded, killed three and injured at least 176 people. “We are OK. I was through the finish and a block away,” Tally posted on his Facebook page, a friend told Patch.
Four El Cajon runners participated, but only one (Keith Burns) finished the race. Three did not, and are not accounted for in any media reports. They are Richard J. Currier, Blair J. Faulwetter, and Debbie Moore. ECM seeks information on these local athletes.
Faulwetter posted on his Facebook page in January, “On April 15, I’ll be running in the Boston Marathon.” He has not posted since the race, however the Boston Athletic Association had no halfway times posted for him so it appears he did not start the race. Currier posted a halfway time of 1:59:50. Moore's halway time was 1:57:34 and her 40K time was 3:59:38.
Five runners from La Mesa all completed the race. They are Jim Goss, Lorena Hopper, Courtney Johnson, Anna Molinar, and Lincoln Reifstock. Goss , 45, posted on Facebook, “Pandemonium near the finish line of the Bostom Marathon. I’m OK and I think all of our group is OK too,” La Mesa Patch reported.
Lee Ann Yarbor of Lakeside, Mitchell Compton of Bonita and Richard Barber of Alpine all completed the race.
Dennis Gilbert of Descanso and Bob Sheffres of Poway had no halfway times listed and presumably never started the race, though they were signed up. Three other Poway residents did finish the race (Greg Cartwright, Patricia Hurtt, and Jennifer Reardon.)
Mount Helix resident Bill Pate, an attorney, told East County Magazine that his brother was at the Boston Marathon. “He wasn't running, just promoting his bike, the Elliptigo. “He heard the explosions,” Pate said. It took several nerve-wracking hours to confirm that his brother was safe. “He had trouble getting out of the city because the “T” was closed,” Pate added.
The Boston Athletic Association website, baa.org, is the official site for the 2013 Boston Marathon. Additional details on participants and their times can be found here: http://www.baa.org/
“Those who lost their lives and were injured are in our thoughts and prayers,” a message on the BAA website states.
Mayor Bob Filner of San Diego issued the following statement: “What happened in Boston today is deplorable and heart-breaking. The City of San Diego weeps with the people of Boston, and we stand with you in a nationwide desire and resolve to find a solution to keep random, violent tragedy from striking. Enough is enough.”
Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-El Cajon) also issued a statement. “AMERICA’S STRENGTH AND CHARACTER PREVAILS, no matter what the situation or circumstance. What occurred in Boston on Monday was tragic and the thoughts and prayers of the entire nation are with the people of Boston, the victims and their families. Video of the day was difficult to watch, but it was truly inspiring to see so many good people respond the way they did, aiding victims and comforting others. The goodness and selflessness of the American people was on display throughout Boston and it’s something for which we can all be proud.
While we are never immune to danger, the post-9/11 world presents new types of adversaries and this latest incident is a reminder that domestic and international threats continue to exist. And I have full faith and confidence in the ability of our intelligence and law enforcement communities to identify who is responsible and deliver justice.
The complex crime scene yesterday encompassed 15 city blocks. The fatalities include an eight-year-old boy. Injuries include children as young as two years old, the Boston Globe reported
. President Obama has now called the bombings a “terrorist attack,” and new forensic information about the IEDs used is being discovered. Apparently, the bombs were contained inside pressure cookers, which were placed in black duffle bags.
U-T San Diego reports that AP today (4/16) is indicating that the bombs were made from pressure cookers loaded with shrapnel including ball bearings and sharp objects such as nails. “Similar pressure-cooker explosives have been used in Afghanistan, India, Nepal and Pakistan, according to a July 2010 joint FBI and Homeland Security intelligence report. Also, one of the three devices used in the May 2010 Times Square attempted bombing was a pressure cooker, the intelligence report said.” http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/apr/16/boston-marathon-explosions-no-other-bombs/.
However, other news agencies points out that information on how to make pressure cooker bombs is readily available on the internet.
A hotline for families seeking information on participants in the race has been set up at 617-635-4500. If you have information on any local participants, please contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org.
If you have tips for law enforcement on this crime, contact: 1-800-494-TIPS
If you would like to help with donations to Boston, a new online site has been set up to help victims of the Boston Marathon bombing and their families: www.OneFundBoston.com
Below is a complete list of East County and inland-area runners listed as entrants in the race, and their times off the BAA website:
ALPINE
Barber, Richard L-3:53:39
BONITA
Compton, Mitchell T. II-3:39:16
DESCANSO
Gilbert, Dennis D-No race information
EL CAJON
Burns, Keith-3:32:01
Currier, Richard J-Halfway time: 1:59:50
Faulwetter, Blair J-No race information
Moore, Debbie-Halfway time: 1:57:34 and 40K time: 3:59:38
LAKESIDE
Yarbor, Lee Ann-3:57:55
LA MESA
Goss, Jim-3:21:54
Hopper, Lorena-3:53:56
Johnson, Courtney A.-2:05:36
Molinar, Anna-1:58:58
Reifsteck, Lincoln M.-3:27:32
POWAY
Cartwright, Greg-3:50:54
Hurtt, Patricia R.-4:00:13
Reardon, Jennifer-3:26:33
Sheffres, Bob-No race information
RAMONA
Tally, Steven-3:12:59
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