Runners react to Boston attacks

LIHU‘E — Michael Wardian, 2010 winner and 2011 runner up of The Kaua‘i Marathon, wasn’t too alarmed when he first heard sirens near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. 

It happens sometimes — a runner falters under difficult conditions.

But then there was talk of explosions. More police cars and ambulances raced by. Phones were ringing nonstop back in his hotel.

Slowly, news trickled in about what happened. People had been killed and injured in two explosions near the finish line of the race that Wardian had finished just 20 minutes or so before.

His thoughts went to families of those killed or hurt in Monday’s explosions at the finish line.

“I started thinking, ‘That’s where my family would be. That’s where my kids stand,” said Wardian, winner of the 2010 Kaua‘i Marathon and second-place finisher in 2011. “Somebody’s kids were standing there.”

The 39-year-old from Arlington, Va., was shaken but OK when he returned home Monday afternoon.

“I’m doing a lot better than a lot of people at this point and time,” he said. “My thoughts are with everyone.”

Forty-year-old Kaua‘i resident William Summerhays, of Po‘ipu, also competed in the 117th Boston Marathon on Monday. While he could not be reached for comment, a source said Summerhays and his family were not injured in the attack, which left at least three dead and more than 130 injured. 

Christopher Benjamin, 49, president of A&B Properties, Inc. on O‘ahu and a member of The Club at Kukui‘ula, also ran on Monday. He crossed the finish line about eight minutes before the explosions rattled downtown Boston, according to Kukui‘ula Senior Marketing Manager Veronica Lovesy.

“He’s fine,” she said. “He actually finished the race before the incident with the bomb. He and his family are OK.”

In a Facebook post Monday, 2013 Kaua‘i Marathon host Dean Karnazes wrote that it was “difficult to describe” what he witnessed after completing Monday’s race. 

“Confusion, panic, uncertainty: It was a surreal event that’s left me numb,” he wrote. “Horrible, horrible tragedy. I am deeply troubled by this senseless act and feel such remorse for all those that were injured or lost their lives. Words cannot express my sorrow.”

Bart Yasso, who also hosts the Kaua‘i Marathon, wrote on Facebook that he was in the food court at Boston’s Prudential Center  — less than two blocks from the finish line — when he heard the explosions. 

“When I walked outside I could see smoke from the second blast,” he wrote. “I witnessed first responders running to the danger zone, putting our safety first without regard for their own safety. The medical tent at the marathon finish line treated lots of the injured. I spoke to lots of dazed runners that just didn’t understand the extent of the situation because they were still on the course hoping to finish the marathon. Please say a prayer for the victims and their families.” 

Wardian finished the 26.2-mile race in about 3 hours, 45 minutes. He did the usual hanging around, thanking volunteers, talking to other runners and enjoying the moments before heading to his hotel. 

Soon, he saw police cars and ambulances racing past, sirens wailing. He heard about explosions and people being killed or hurt.

He considered returning to the finish line and offering to help.

“They told us not to go anywhere near there,” he said.

Later, amidst the confusion and after some pleading, he was allowed on a crowded shuttle to the airport, where he caught a plane home.

Wardian was wearing a GoPro camera throughout the marathon, and filmed his dash down Boylston Street to the finish. He plans to see if authorities want to review it in hopes it might shed light on what happened and who was responsible.

“There may be something useful on there,” he said.

Normally, after completing a marathon, he would look back on his run, his time, the conditions.

Monday afternoon, almost home, none of that mattered.

“It makes you appreciate how fragile life is,” Wardian said.