Local Runners Witness Boston Marathon Explosion

Kate Lillicrapp said she was just about a block away from the Boston Marathon finish line when she heard the explosion.

"It was like a crazy nightmare," said the 30-year-old runner from Media.

A Middletown Township resident who ran in the Boston Marathon was unharmed in the explosion there, she told Patch on Monday, reporting also that the members of the Bryn Mawr Running Club who ran the race are accounted for and safe. Many Philadelphia area athletes run in the Boston marathon.

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Lillicrapp finished the race and was walking with her sister, Maura Devlin, of Ambler, who was there supporting Lillicrapp, to find a place to eat when they heard a loud explosion.

"We felt the ground shake," said Lillicrapp, who is a fitness instructor at Peace thru Strength and works at Bryn Mawr Running Company, both in Media.

The sisters thought the noise may have been a cannon or fireworks going off or something celebratory in honor of the race because no one immediately seemed concerned where Lillicrapp was located.

"Then about five minutes later, everything went silent in the city," Lillicrapp said. "It was so quiet we knew something was wrong."

They then began to hear mutterings of an "explosion at the finish line" from people and business owners in the area and began walking in the opposite direction of the race.

Lillicrapp, who is an assistant track coach at Notre Dame Academy, said they checked the Internet and weren't able to find anything but a short time later they were able to confirm there had been an explosion.

The sisters decided to keep walking until they reached the residential area of the South End and were able to get a taxi back to their hotel.

Although Lillicrapp has run in eight other marathons, this was her first time at the Boston Marathon.

"It was such a great experience and such a happy day before this," she said. "It's so sad. I felt so blessed to have even qualified and to then finish the race after all of this, it's just so sad."

Lillicrapp, who is a member of the Bryn Mawr Running Club, said she has been in contact with the other club members who ran the Marathon and they are all safe.

Prior to the explosion Bryn Mawr Running Co., which has locations in Media, Bryn Mawr and Manayunk, posted well wishes to his runner on its Facebook page.

"Good luck Boston Marathoners!! Today's a big day...don't forget to have FUN!!!"

Hours later they posted their prayers.

"Praying for all of you in Boston as things unfold. Please check in with us as you are able so we know you are safe."