D.C.-area runners reflect on a tragic marathon day in Boston

WASHINGTON – Marathon day in Boston is a day traditionally filled with eager runners, packed bars and sidewalks overflowing with supporters, signs and cheers. But the 117th Boston Marathon deviated drastically from tradition.

Two bombs exploded in the packed streets near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Boylston Street Monday. The incident resulted in chaos, casualties and mass injuries.

An estimated 23,000 runners participated in the race, many of whom traveled hundreds of miles to complete the 26.2-mile race.

Lauren Gabler lives in D.C. and was in Boston for the marathon. She finished the race about 15 minutes prior to the first explosion.

Gabler was on the city’s renowned Newbury Street, recapping the race on the phone with her mother, when she felt the explosion.

“I felt the explosion and thought,

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