ICYMI: Wayland Boston Marathon Bombing Responder to Run

Photo Credit: MarathonFoto via Bryan Canterbury

Editor's Note: Bryan Canterbury was volunteering at the Boston Marathon finish line during the 2013 bombings but that didn't stop him from running the very next year. He also plans to run in this year's marathon. Here's the full story, in case you missed it. 

WAYLAND, MA - A Wayland resident and ER doctor at Newton-Wellesley Hospital who was a first responder during the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings will be running this year to raise money for the Vernon Cancer Center.

Bryan Canterbury was volunteering at the finish line on the day of the bombings when heard a loud noise and saw people running from an area that is usually used to celebrate.

• Read more about Canterbury's experience on his blog (some NSFW language) >>>

Canterbury ran towards the scene and saw what he described as "carnage."

The ER doctor sprang to action, making sure people were breathing and handing out supplies. He said his biggest task was writing down the names and emergency contacts of victims and stuffing the papers into their shirts to make things easier when they got to the hospital.

"Amazing people did a lot of amazing things to help a lot of people," Canterbury told Patch.

Canterbury didn't let the potentially traumatizing experience stop him; he ran the marathon the very next year in 2014.

"It really did help out, it's what I needed. It was was like therapy," he said.

Canterbury said this year is more about raising funds for the Vernon Cancer Center. He is one of 20 Team NWH runners raising money for the cause.

The doctor also loves the experience of participating in the marathon.

"The entire city feels like its playing hooky from work to be there," Canterbury said. "You can't hear yourself think because there are so many people shouting."