Bombs Explode Between Melrose Woman's Parents, Causing 'Mass Chaos'

Melrose runner Allison Gilgun was having one of the "happiest" races of her life until a pair of bombs exploded near the finish line where her parents were waiting for her to complete the 2013 Boston Marathon.

Gilgun, a teacher in Beverly, was running her second Boston Marathon and overall her seventh marathon. 

"I ran the 2011 Boston Marathon with Team in Training (TNT) which benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkin's Lymphoma at 22 in May of 2009 and running Boston was always a dream of mine," she said. "I ran Boston with TNT in 2011, ran the Dublin Marathon with them in October 2011 and ran Boston with the team on Monday."  

In the three races she participated in with TNT, Gilgun said she has raised more than $16,000 for charity.

As far as Monday's marathon went, Gilgun said things were going well before the bombings, which claimed the lives of three people and injured more than 100.

"Prior to the tragedy, I was having a great race. It was the 'happiest' run I had - in the sense that I was taking it all in, not necessarily worrying about my time," she said. "I was enjoying the crowds and I ran with my friend up until mile 21. It was nostalgic. I normally hit a wall somewhere between mile 18-22, but this year, I didn't. Ironically enough, without worrying about my pace, I was having a great run."

While she did not see the blasts, Gilgun knew something was wrong given what she witnessed on her run down the stretch.

"I didn't see the explosions. I was running down Commonwealth Ave, mile 25.71, when it happened and the crowd of runners stopped me just before I went under the Commonwealth Avenue bridge (so close to Hereford and Boylston)," she said. "At first, I thought a runner went down as there were a few people laying down and a crowd around them. But, after noticing that everyone came to a stand still, I knew something was wrong.

"Everyone was on their cell phones, crying and asking questions. I rarely run with my cell, but thank goodness, I did on Monday. I immediately called my parents as I knew they were near the finish. My mom answered and said 'Ally are you okay? Two bombs went off in between us. We are in mass chaos but are OK.' It was extremely emotional."  

Gilgun recalls being "stuck around mile 25.7 for about an hour - maybe more, maybe a little less...time escaped me." After that, we were diverted around the area and went to the hotel where my charity was planning on meeting, she said.

The teacher explained how she was having mixed emotions when she learned she could not complete the race.

"I am not going to lie, I was frustrated, angry and upset that I was unable to finish the race - I was a half mile away," she said. "But, once I heard the details of what happened, I felt awful. I went back Tuesday and ran the last half mile. I had to run down Newbury Street, as Boylston was still a crime scene and shut down. I went and got my medal but still feel like I don't deserve it.  

"It's an emotional and surreal feeling. It's hard because you can't excape the news coverage and Facebook messages, emails and texts. I just keep thinking about those affected."

When asked if she will run next year, Gilgun replied, "I am seriously considering running Boston with TNT next year - just to make a point that these people can't stop us from doing great things."