Boston Marathon: one year after the bombings

It’s been one year since the sound of bombs were heard as runners crossed the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon.

Three people died in the attack and more than 250 people were injured.

Two brothers are accused of planning the attacks, one died in a police shoot-out several days later.
The other brother has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.

Nearly 2,500 Canadians are registered for this year’s marathon, scheduled for Monday.

Many runners returning this year to finish the race see it as a way to honour those who were hurt or killed and a way to show those responsible that their spirit isn’t defeated.

Jean-Paul Bedard said it was terrifying and he clearly remembers being on a street parallel to the race’s finish line when the blasts took place.

“It was so loud and then we saw just a huge plume of smoke coming over the building,” Bedard said.

“We were probably about 100 metres away from the first explosion and then 40 seconds later the second explosion happened and then there was just sea of people running.”

Cell phone lines were jammed for about two hours after the bombs went off leaving friends and family of the racers unsure if their loved ones were OK.

In Boston just before 3 p.m. local time, a flag-raising ceremony and moment of silence will be held near the marathon finish line, the same time and place where the two bombs went off.

(With files from the Canadian Press)

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