Locals Reported Safe At Boston Marathon (With List)

April 15, 2013

Reports are coming in from numerous North Escambia runners that were at the Boston Marathon this afternoon, and all are reported to be safe.

The local runners included several people with Paul Epstein, owner of Running Wild in Pensacola.  Rusty Branch, pastor of the Dogwood Baptist Church on Highway 97, was in that group. At last report, he and his family were safe at the airport trying to get back home.

“We are fine, and the rest of the Running Wild group is fine,” Branch told NorthEscambia.com from the airport in Boston Monday afternoon.

Mark Rice, administrator of the Atmore Vision Center, also ran today’s Boston Marathon and has checked in with friends and family.

Matt Dobson of Jay, who frequently runs the Boston Marathon, did not participate this year. He qualified and was registered, but chose not to participate due to schedule conflicts and a lack of long runs. In 2004, Dobson finished the Boston Marathon 49th overall as the 16th fastest American.

Pensacola city councilman Brian Spencer did run the marathon and has been reported safe.

The following North Escambia/Pensacola area runners were reportedly at the Boston Marathon and have been reported safe:

  • Heather Asmar, Pensacola Beach
  • Russell “Rusty” Branch, Cantonment
  • Nicholas Challen, Milton
  • Kristen Corderman, Niceville
  • Cherie Epstein, Pensacola
  • Paul Epstein, Pensacola
  • Steve Harris, Pensacola
  • Evan Malone, Gulf Breeze
  • Sarah Pritchard, Pensacola
  • Stephanie Rafferty, Pensacola
  • Mark Rice, Atmore
  • Brian Spencer, Pensacola

Do you know anyone from the North Escambia or Pensacola area in Boston today for the marathon? Email news@northescambia.com

Pictured top: The “Running Wild” group from Pensacola running  the Boston Marathon today are reportedly safe, according to the business. Rusty Branch, pastor of the Dogwood Baptist Church, is on the far right in the photo. They are shown in a photo this morning prior to the race.

Comments

3 Responses to “Locals Reported Safe At Boston Marathon (With List)”

  1. Vicki Harrison on April 15th, 2013 7:54 pm

    So happy to know this group is well…Praying for all others involved..
    Such an awful thing to happen on what was to be a happy event…

  2. Shirley Raney on April 15th, 2013 7:41 pm

    So relieved to hear all our local runners are safe. Such a tragedy for all those involved.

  3. Melody Godwin on April 15th, 2013 4:48 pm

    Such wonderful news that these precious people are safe -

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Archive