by TaLeiza Calloway – news@thenewsleaders.com
St. Joseph resident Larry Hosch made it home safely after completing the Boston Marathon Monday, April 15. This was the first time the former State Representative competed in the event that was rocked by explosions near the finish line.
The explosions occurred a little over an hour after Hosch finished the race. He said he and the runners he traveled with were just getting into a cab when it happened. When they arrived to their lodging, they learned more about the incident via social media and text messages from peers.
“The first thing I did was call Holly (his wife) and I called my parents,” Hosch said. “I was able to talk to both of them before they heard about what happened. On a personal level, I was very grateful for that.”
The explosions killed three people and injured hundreds. With all of the people and the commotion, he said he doesn’t recall hearing the explosion but heard sirens in the distance. There was also fire at the JFK Library near his lodging and they didn’t know if the fire was related to the bombings, he said.
“It was surreal,” he said. “The whole change in atmosphere (went) from one of celebration and excitement with people cheering and coming together for Patriots Day (to) an immediate shift of uncertainty and concern.”
Hosch says he is glad to be home and is keeping those personally affected in his thoughts and prayers.
Investigators believe they have identified a suspect in the explosion based on surveillance tape from a Lord and Taylor department store, according to national media reports.
The Boston Marathon, which began in 1897, is the oldest annual footrace marathon in the world and arguably the most famous. Operated by the Boston Athletic Association, the 26-mile marathon course runs through eight cities in the greater Boston area, starting at noon at Hopkinton and ending with the finish line at Copley Square next to the Boston Public Library.
There were reportedly more than 500 Minnesotans registered to run in this year’s event.
