UPDATED: Explosions Mar End of Boston Marathon – 3 Dead, More than 140 Injured

A day of celebration turned into tragedy and chaos as two explosions rocked the area around the finish line of the Boston Marathon. The explosions caused at least three deaths and injured more than 140 people, scattering crowds near the finish line, authorities said, according to the Washington Post.

Several victims, including an 8-year-old boy who died, were children. Boston Childrens Hospital reported that those treated there included a 9-year-old girl, a 7-year-old boy, a 12-year-old, and a 2-year-old, the Boston Globe reported. 

CNN reported that authorities halted the race. Initial reports of a third explosion, at the John F. Kennedy Library, turned out to be an unrelated fire, according to the Washington Post.

According to the Boston Athletic Association website, five people  from San Rafael had registered for the race. 

• KellyO'Mara, 27 — O'Mara the former editor of the San Anselmo - Fairfax Patch, did not finish the race due to an injury
• Susan Kreusch, 50 – Finished 3:52:57, 14,515th place 
• Andrew Valla, 41 – Finished 3:08:02, 3,369th place
• Alex Varner, 27 – Finished 2:21:40, 26th place
• Xiaodong Yang, 58 – Finished 4:05:13, 16,784th place

O'Mara said she hadn't finished the race due to an injury and was dropped off by a bus near the finish line. She had gotten changed and walked away from the area before the explosion and didn't hear the explosion.

"There was just so much other crowd noise going on anyway," she said.

O'Mara was sending tweets from scene shortly after the explosion. 

"Getting away from finish area after explosions at #BostonMarathon. Sounds and looks really bad," she wrote. "The streets are filled with people trying to figure out where to go or what to do, traffic is stopped and the subway is shut down."

Laura Bertolli wrote on the San Rafael Patch Facebook page that she had heard Valla is safe. His wife had texted Bertolli “We were standing RIGHT THERE about 10 minutes before it went off. We are safe now.” 

It's likely that others from the city travelled out there to give them support. Patch will continue to report this story as it develops and bring news about our local runners as we hear more.

There is no confirmation at this time about what may have caused the explosion.

To assist with the search for participants, Mountain View-based Internet giant Google has set up a website in which individuals can search for their loved ones or let everyone know they're safe.

If you know anyone of these people, please encourage them to email Patch at sananselmofairfax@patch.com or reach out to family members. 

Here are the other registered Boston Marathon entrants from Marin:

Corte Madera:

• Donnelly, Heather
• Evans, Sarah – Finished 3:58:25, 15,755th place
• Howland, Jeri

Larkspur:

• White, Ned – Finished 3:15:51, 4890th place

Mill Valley:

• Fast, Spencer – Finished 3:15:33, 4,836 place
• Guzman, Shanna – Finished 4:01:54, 16,355th place
• Katsin, Daniel - Louise Lucha wrote on the Mill Valley Patch Facebook page: "Daniel Katsin was registered but did not race this year."
• Lepelch, Patrick - In a  comment on Mill Valley Patch, Patrick wrote: "I didn't run in the race due to injury. This is a sad day indeed. Patrick"
• Wagner, Erin – Finished 4:01:38, 16,310 place

Novato:

• Olson, Tom
  
• Tara, Roopinder – Finished 4:31:07, 17,556 place
• Walker, Barbara – Finished 3:48:24, 13,429th place
• Willey, Mike - Finished 3:27:41, 7,784th place

Joyce McCarron posted on Facebook that Roopinder Tara's wife says he is safe. Mike Willey was also reported as safe and on his way to the airport at the time of the explosions.

San Anselmo-Fairfax:

• Johnson, Kathy (San Anselmo)
• Carr, Sarah (Ross)
• Karnazes, Dean (Ross) – Finished 3:27:56, 7,858th place
• Yew, Jenny (Ross) – Finished 3:44:38, 12,526th place
• Roberts, Wendy (Kentfield)

Kathleen Doney wrote on the San Anselmo – Fairfax Patch Facebook page that Kathy Johnson "was not hurt." 

Laura Townsley commented on the San Anselmo – Fairfax Facebook page that Dean Karnazes is fine. Karnazes, widely regarded as the one of the world's most famous ultra-marathoners, has a house in Ross.

Sausalito:

• Simonich, Michael – Finished 3:18:22, 5,453rd place
• Stephens, Eve
• West, Molly

Tiburon:

• Canady, Richard
• Kress, Olivia – Finished 3:42:43, 12,006th place
• Norris, Joy – Finished 3:47:11, 13,115th place
• Zicko, Tatyana – Finished 3:23:42, 6,737th place

Would you like to share your reaction to the Boston Marathon bombing? Post in our Local Voices section.

Stay tuned to Patch.

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