Morristown Runners Finished Boston Marathon Before Blasts

Morristown resident Eileen Burke traveled to Massachusetts to support her husband, Rich, as he ran in the Boston Marathon.

More than 500 participating runners were from New Jersey. The two explosions came as runners crossed the finish at the 4:09 mark of this famous annual race, resulting in at least three people killed and dozens injured.  

Fortunately, Rich Burke, 45, finished around 12:30 p.m. and placed second in his age division, 93rd in his gender and 103 overall.

“I was up there with him,” Eileen Burke said. “He finished the race at 12:32 (p.m.) so we were 2 miles away eating a celebration lunch when they put it on the TV at the bar.  It was very surreal. I had been standing exactly where the first bomb went off while I waited for him to finish so it's been very unnerving to watch the footage.  I watched the winners cross the finish line and then stayed to wait for him and ran to meet up with him as soon as he crossed.  It was, of course, a very tragic ending to what started out as a fabulous day. We are keeping those who were injured or lost their lives in our thoughts and prayers.”

Rich Burke echoed his wife's comments.

"Eileen's perspective is as relevant as mine of what happened at the marathon on Monday because it was spectators that were more immediately effected, not the runners," said Rich.

"I'm very sad and angry about what happened. I grew up in the Boston area and went into the city to watch the marathon many times with my father when I was younger so it is a special event for me. I've run the race eight times since, including the last five years, partly as a tribute to the great memories I had of the event and the day growing up.  It's very painful to think that such a positive day for the city of Boston for so many years will now have this horrible act as part of its legacy.  However, I know that the organizers, the city, the running community and everyone else that make this day special will work together to make this event even more special in years to come."

Mark Ladolcettam, 40, was registered as a participant, but was not in the marathon.

"I'm on that list and obviously fine. I've been recovering from Achilles surgery in August and only decided on (Wednesday) not to go. I know some of the other people on this list and many other(s) up there running or spectating. Hoping and praying that they're safe," he said in a Patch comment.

Nine marathon runners from Morristown crossed the finish line before the explosion. Four others and one from Morris Plains did not finish the race. Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries to any of the New Jersey runners contingent as of Monday night. 

Here's a look at other Morristown locals who finished the marathon before the explosions:

• Taryn Ferrara, 25, finished the race at 1:58 p.m. She placed 2001 in her age division, 2681 in her gender and 10013 overall. 
• Barbara Franz, 45, finished at 1:52 p.m., placing 118 in her age division, 1882 in her gender and 8496 overall. 
• Juliet Beatty, 37, finished at 1:09 p.m., placing 205 in her age group, 234 in her gender and 2975 overall. 
• Nora Cary, 58, finished at 2:30 p.m. placing 76 in her age group, 4849 in her gender and 13905 overall.
• Mark C. Kohler, 27, finished at 1:24 p.m. placing 2742 in his age group, 4997 in his gender and 5823 overall.
• Barry J. Lass, 49, finished at 12:53 p.m. placing 46 in his age group, 953 in his gender and 1010 overall.
• James Lothian, 28, finished at 12:49 p.m. placing 571 in his age group, 702 in his gender and 741 overall.
• Andrew Parr, 46, finished at 2:05 p.m. placing 1563 in his age group, 8422 in his gender and 12485 overall.

The day of the bombing, Niall Magner reached out to Patch to find out if there was any information about the safety of his cousin Mark Nyhan. Fortunately, the community was active on Morristown Patch's facebook page with status updates of local runners and one person told Magner that "Mark Nyhan is fine." 

Maura Smith and Christine Boffa of Amazing Feet Running Club have a local run organized for 6 a.m. Wednesday, April 17 at Loantaka Brook Park, South Street parking area in Morristown.

“We are deeply saddened by (Monday)'s tragedy and our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected,” said Smith and Boffa. “We know that all of Amazing Feet's runners who were in Boston are safe and hope and pray that everyone else returns home safely.”

Their running group will be doing a 5.6 or 8 mile loop returning to the park by 7:30 a.m. Any questions, contact Christine Boffa or Maura Smith at christineboffa81@gmail.com or maura.caffrey@gmail.com

From Morristown that are registered for this marathon are:

• Brian J. Cupka, 58, did not finish. Crossed the 40K mark at 2:45 p.m.
• Taryn Ferrara, 25
• Barbara Franz, 45
• Juliet Beatty, 37
• Rich Burke, 45
• Nora Cary, 58
• Lynn Castrataro, 47, did not finish. Crossed the 40K mark at about 2:43 p.m.
• Elizabeth Jennison, 51, did not finish. Crossed the 40K mark at 3:01 p.m.
• Lillesol Kane, 46. There are no details on the marathon website about whether or not Kane ran, although she is listed as a registered runner
• Mark C. Kohler, 27
• Mark Ladolcettam, 40, did not attend the marathon
• Barry J. Lass, 49
• James Lothian, 28
• Mark Nyhan, 48, did not finish. Crossed the 40K mark at 3:38 p.m.
• Andrew Parr, 46
• Jeffrey Varisco, 40. There are no details on the marathon website about whether or not Varisco ran, although he is listed as a registered runner

Registered from Morris Plains is:

• Stacey Graham, 49
• Carl Weaver, 63
• Annette M. Young, 43
• Eugene R. Napolitano, 66,  did not finish. Crossed the 40K mark at 2:53 p.m.

There were no details on the marathon website about whether Graham, Weaver or Young ran, although they are listed as registered runners.

Reactions were coming in through Morristown Patch's facebook page:

"Rich Burke is safe and sound. Hoping everyone else is as well," said Eileen McFadden Burke. "Mark Nyhan is fine."

"Barbara (Franz) and Lynn (Castrataro) are ok also," said Hillary Clark. "Barry Lass is fine also."

"My prayers and thoughts go out to all impacted. Hope everyone is safe," said Michael Poulo.

Mary Roberts Timmer said, "May we keep everyone in our thoughts and prayers!! Be safe!!"

"Juliet Beatty is safe," said Colleen Hyland Loughman.

"Brian Cupka and family are all safe!," said Barbara Breen McNally 

"I'm ok... Thank you!" said Taryn Tighe Ferrara.