La Mesa Runner Finishes Boston Marathon, Reports Pandemonium

Updated at 4 p.m. April 15, 2013

Jim Goss of La Mesa finished the Boston Marathon less than an hour before twin explosions rocked the finish line area.

Goss, 45, posted on Facebook: “Pandemonium near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. I'm OK and I think all of our group is OK too. There is limited cell service and my phone is charging. My thoughts are with the families of those killed and injured.”

Four other La Mesans took part Monday, with three finishing before explosions reportedly claimed the lives of two people and injured dozens.

According to the Boston Athletic Association site, these La Mesa entrants had finished before the blasts, which TV showed happened about 4 hours after the start.

• Goss, age 45, 3 hours, 21 minutes, 54 seconds (according to time between start of race and when they finished.)
• Lorena Hopper, age 42, 3:53:56
• Lincoln Reifsteck, age 40, 3:27:32

At 1:15 p.m. Pacific time, two La Mesans had no recorded finishing times, which could mean they were diverted away from the bomb scene.

They were:

• Courtney Johnson, 28, who reached the halfway point at 2:05:36
• Anna Molinar, 42, whose halfway time was 1:58:58.

All marks are “gun times,” but not the actual times from start to finish, since many thousands of entrants don’t reach the starting line until minutes after the gun goes off.

Kate Garcia of the San Diego Track Club sent this message to members via email:

As I’m sure you all know by now, there were two bombs that exploded at the Boston Marathon finish line today.  We have unofficially heard that all of our SDTC runners are safe.  We know that all but two finished the race and the two who didn't weren't near the end when the race was halted.  We will send more information as we get personal confirmation from our SDTC runners.  Please join us today as we keep those affected by this tragedy in our thoughts and prayers.

Garcia, president of the club, said about 20 members took part at Boston.

“I was shocked,” she said of her first reaction. “Then there was a mad scramble to get information” about the runners’ well-being.

She said she sent out many texts to members and then “I finally got word (that all of the club’s athletes were safe) and it was such a relief.”

“I cried,” Garcia said, “but now the anger has set in. This is never going to make sense.

“This is not a political event. They are the best athletes in the world. Why would they be a target? It just doesn’t make sense.”

Garcia said: “It’s just sort of a zoo there,” adding that runners were trying to make it back to their hotels.

“And they probably don’t feel safe in their hotels. Poor folks.”

She said the runners will head back to San Diego once the Boston airport reopens.

Olympic medalist Meb Keflezighi tweeted that he was “cheering the runners at the finish line till 9 min before the incident.” The San Diegan, 37, didn’t compete in the race, having dropped out April 5 with a calf injury.

He added: “I am okay, but concerned about others. My thoughts and prayers are with them and their families. Stay strong.”

Boston Backbay Patch is covering story.

Patch will provide updates.