2 Oak Forest Runners Half-Mile From Finish Line Before Boston Marathon Attack

A teacher and a parent from St. Damian School were a half-mile from the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday when two explosions went off, according to reports.

Andrea Lampasona, an eighth-grade science teacher at St. Damian, and Jackie Hodges, a parent with two children at the Catholic school, were two of five runners from Oak Forest who participated in the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 15.

READ: Go to Back Bay Patch for Additional Updates

According to CNN, three people were killed—among them, an 8-year-old child—and many were injured after two explosions ripped through the finish line of the race. 

Information on the other runners was not available.

Lampasona and Hodges traveled to Boston to participate in the marathon together and had not finished the race by the time the first explosion went off, a friend of the women told Patch, who added that the two runners were eventually allowed to finish the race. Hodges's husband, who made the trip to Boston, also was unharmed, the friend said.

READ: Area Runner Wants Justice After Boston Marathon Attack

Hodges posted this status update on her Facebook wall:

I am ok! We were 1/2 mile from the finish. Heard the explosions and saw smoke. We're we're stopped by policies it was crazy. Surreal. People wondering all over runners that didnt finish - no money or warm clothes. We made it back to hotel but no phone service. We are all together now but can't even get in room yet....... That's okay. It will all be ok.

Boston Marathon Attack Coverage From East Coast Patch Sites:

• Go to Back Bay Patch for Updates From the Boston Area
• Scores Injured by Explosion at Boston Marathon Finish Line 
• Newtown Runners Reportedly 'Safe' Following Boston Tragedy
• Witness: 'All of a Sudden Everyone Turned Around and Was Running in the Opposite Direction'
• PHOTOS: Explosions at Boston Marathon
• Amazing Story of a Nurse Tending to Army Vet When Bomb Went Off

Two Ways to Stay Connected to Oak Forest Patch:

• Subscribe to our newsletters to have headlines and breaking news delivered to your inbox.
• "Like" our Facebook page for updates throughout the day.