Durham Runner: 'I Was 50 Yards From The Finish Line'

Brian Lentz of Durham was about 50 yards from the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday when two bombs exploded, killing at least two and injuring dozens more.

Lentz was not injured but said the explosion and subsequent chaos rattled him. He told Patch he was safe at a local hotel with his family.

Another runner, Chris Schulten of Middlefield, had finished the race and was returning home when he heard the news.

"I'm just about getting through Hartford in my car and the phone rings, and Jen (wife) tells me, 'Did you see what happened?' I had no idea," Schulten said.

Schulten finished the race in 2 hours 45 minutes and immediately returned to his hotel room before getting in his car to return to Connecticut.

Police are urging participants, their families and spectators who stayed at local hotels to stay in their rooms.

“This is a horrific day in Boston," Governor Deval Patrick said. "My thoughts and prayers are with those who have been injured. I have been in touch with the President, Mayor Menino and our public safety leaders. Our focus is on making sure that the area around Copley Square is safe and secured. I am asking everyone to stay away from Copley Square and let the first responders do their jobs.”