A painful blister may have helped a Richmond marathon runner escape serious injury or even death Monday after a pair of bombs exploded near the finish line of the Boston Marathon.
Three people were killed and hundreds more were injured after the explosions on Monday.
Following the tragic race, Tracy Marshall, 48, wrote to one of her fellow members of the Steveston Athletic Association that she sought medical treatment for her foot at a nearby medical station immediately after crossing the finish line.
Marshall's finish time was clocked at four hours and five minutes, just under five minutes before the first of two explosions rocked the street, sending debris and smoke into the air.
Thirteen seconds later a second explosion was set off nearby.
"Yes, I am fine, thank God. I came in at 4: 05 and, because of a painful blister, I headed straight to the medical tent, just on the other side of the finish," wrote Marshall, one of five Richmond runners registered in the historic race. "Four minutes later we all hear two explosions, one right after the other. Within a minute, medical personnel started rushing in the injured for treatment."
Marshall went on to write the scene was "scary and a bit surreal."
"There was a police officer being rushed in on a wheelchair, crying. I knew then something pretty awful had happened. I get emotional now, just remembering it. I also feel blessed to be okay."
Marshall reassured her friends she was okay, but just a little shaken by the events.
According to results posted on the Boston Marathon website, fellow Richmond runners John Dumont and Tony Lopes crossed the finish line at around the three hour and 20 minute mark.
Unable to finish the race when the course was closed were George Popov, 60, and Ellen Wong, 61.
Their last posted times put them on the race route at roughly two hours into the event.
