My Experience From Near the Finish Line of the Boston Marathon

My day started by heading in to Boston for what was supposed to be one of the best days of the year. I have looked forward to going to Boston on marathon Monday for a long time now and this was the year I finally got to go. My girlfriend and I were headed to the 11am Red Sox game and a couple of my friends were hanging around Boston for the day enjoying the festivities.

Sitting in the right field bleachers we saw a Red Sox game that ended in a walk-off at 2pm. Fenway was as loud as I ever heard it and we were excited for the rest of our day after the excellent game. We call our friends and they are at the Capital Grille on Boylston street just a couple blocks from the finish line of the marathon.

It took us a long time to find our way to the Grille. As we are crossing the street and hit the sidewalk next to the restaurant and we here the loud bang which was the first bomb going off. It sounded like a cannon going off to celebrate someone finishing or the muskets that they fire off at the Patriots' games when they score. So, we did not think twice about what was going on. As we were about to walk into the restaurant a lot of people were running down the street in the other direction telling people to go back, head the other way. Still at this time we had no idea what was going on so we disregarded those people telling us to head in a different direction.

We get into the restaurant and promptly order a drink. As we do so there are police officers and people sprinting up and down the street. The bartenders turn the televisions to the news stations and it shows the chaos that is ensuing and we are right there standing and not knowing what to do. The manager of the restaurant jumps on the top of the table and tells everyone to get away from the windows, and then a minute later tells everyone that they have to leave.

At this point everyone is petrified and have no idea what to do. We start just walking where the cops tell us to go. They are not allowing anyone to head down to the crime scene. We all just keep walking, but as we are walking we are all extremely scared of another bomb going off.

We are in a crowd of over what feels like five million people just walking together. People that we pass are crying. We all just want to stay together and make sure that everyone is safe. We continue to follow where the cops tell us to go. Eventually we stopped and waited for a ride to drive us back home, as the train stations have been shut down. After some time the ride comes and we leave the city.

For as close as we were I cannot imagine being even closer to that finish line. My heart goes out to all of those families involved. I will continue to pray for your families to get better. It's truly horrific action by a coward who will be brought to justice very soon.

If your not from Boston and you are reading this blog, the Boston Marathon is one of the most cherished days in Boston that is full of tradition. The city will come back stronger than ever and the Boston Marathon will be stronger next year.