Boston Marathon Bombing: 7 Whitefish Bay Runners Entered Race

With three fatalities and many more injured in an explosion at the Boston Marathon, local residents are seeking information about their friends and family participating in the run.

Seven Whitefish Bay residents are signed up to run, including Ted Balistrieri, a co-owner of Sendik’s Food Markets. Balistrieri was able to finish the race and clear the area before the explosion.

“Although we don't know all the details about the explosion at the Boston Marathon, family co-owner Ted Balistreri has finished the race and is safe,” the company said on its Facebook page. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and we are hoping for the best of outcomes.” 

Balistreri was accompanied by John Chandler, who signed up for the race but decided several weeks ago not to run. Chandler said he and Balistreri did not hear the blasts because they had already reached their hotel.

"The victims and their families are very much in our thoughts and prayers," Chandler said. "At dinner this evening, we talked more about the tragic happenings than the race itself."

After three consecutive appearances at the Boston Marathon, Whitefish Bay resident Laurie Graham was signed up to run this year but stayed home because she felt underprepared. While she was relieved she wasn’t at the scene of the explosion, she spent Monday afternoon texting her friends seeking information about the well-being of her friends in Boston.

“I think it’s absolutely terrifying,” she said. “I have friends running, and I’m checking the website to see if they finished. Once they cross the finish line, they do a good job of moving you away from the finish line, further down the road."

Whitefish Bay resident Julie Ravet is also safe and sound, according to Facebook. Other Whitefish Bay residents scheduled to participate in the race include Linda Britz, Erin Smith and Igor Stevic.

According to an Associated Press report, two explosions near the finish line of the Boston Marathon had people carrying bloody spectators into the medical tent. The latest report indicates that at least two people are dead and that dozens are injured.

"There are a lot of people down," the AP quoted one man saying. The explosions happened about three hours after the winners crossed the finish line.

NBC News reported fire engines, police and emergency medical personnel were headed to the scene. An affiliate reporter told NBC News she heard two loud explosions, and that "everybody kind of ducked and hit the ground," and Jackie Bruno, reporter for New England Cable News said she saw people with significant injuries, including one person with a leg blown off.

"Runners were coming in and saw unspeakable horror," Bruno said.  

Patch is following this breaking story

Here are the finish times posted for each Whitefish Bay resident, according to The Boston Athletic Association:

• Ted Balistreri: 03:15:27
• Linda Britz: 03:59:52
• Julie Ravet: 03:36:52
• Erin Smith: 04:02:56
• Igor Stevic: 03:07:12