At least 18 Harford County residents were among those listed as participants in the Boston Marathon, where two bombs went off Monday afternoon.
According to the Boston Athletic Association’s web site, 13 of the local individuals completed the marathon, the last finishing just nine minutes before the first of the bombs detonated not far from the finish line at approximately 2:50 p.m.
Two others, Ross Brewer, 49, of Bel Air and Ronald Roppelt, 61, of Forest Hill appeared to still be on the course when the bombs went off. According to the Boston Athletic Association database, Brewer passed the 24.8 mile mark at 2:45 p.m. and Roppelt passed that same point a short time later, at 2:47 p.m.
Three others were listed among the participants, but did not have any times listed for any of the course markers; it was unclear whether they started the race.
Harford County residents registered in the organization’s database included:
Ross Brewer, 49, Bel Air; 24.8 mile mark at 2:45 p.m.
John Buck, 59, Bel Air; Finished in 3:43:36
Matthew Burdette, 31, Churchville; Finished in 3:08:08
Jeffrey Damiano, 34, Bel Air; Finished in 3:06:28
John Escarsega, 52, Bel Air; no time listed
Michael Feinberg, 49, Bel Air; Finished in 3:27:02
Eileen Giovanazi, 47, Bel Air; Finished in 3:39:56
Janine Goetz, 44, Joppa; no time listed
Kevin Hennessey, 40, Bel Air; Finished in 3:03:49
Alexander Kammerer, 21, Bel Air; Finished in 2:55:13
Stephan Keidel, 46, Bel Air; Finished in 3:53:24
Scott Kothenbeutel, 50, Bel Air; Finished in 3:56:29
Erin Schisler, 29, Bel Air; Finished in 3:57:15
Joe Richardson, 52, Forest Hill; no time listed
Ronald Roppelt, 61, Forest Hill; 24.8 mile mark at 2:47 p.m.
David Stevenson, 37, Abingdon; Finished in 3:16:18
Steve Taylor, 46, Bel Air; Finished in 3:10:56
Robert Tisch, 41, Bel Air; Finished in 2:55:39
In the wake of the bombings, Harford County Public Schools announced Monday evening that field trips planned for Tuesday to Washington, D.C. and Aberdeen Proving Ground had been cancelled. The cancellations were “precautionary as the details regarding the Boston Marathon incident are still under investigation,” the school system said in a release.”
Maryland State Police said troopers would increase their vigilance and be on the lookout for suspicious activity:
(PIKESVILLE, MD) – As the investigation into the Boston explosions continues, Colonel Marcus L. Brown, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police, has directed state troopers to increase vigilance, especially around critical infrastructures.
Troopers will be conducting increased patrol checks of critical infrastructures in their areas of responsibility. Although troopers are routinely vigilant and looking for suspicious activities as part of their daily duties, they have been reminded to increase their awareness.
“Our obligation to protect our citizens requires that we increase our awareness in response to this tragedy in Boston as a precaution,” Colonel Brown said. “We are coordinating our efforts with allied law enforcement at the local and federal levels. The Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center is monitoring the situation and will keep our law enforcement partners informed of the latest public safety information. I ask citizens to join police officers in being alert for any suspicious activity or situation and report that information immediately to authorities.”
Persons who see something suspicious are urged to contact the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center at 1-800-492-TIPS (8877). The Center is staffed around-the-clock and will immediately review incoming information and forward it to the appropriate law enforcement agency for follow up. Local, state and federal law enforcement personnel work together at the Center to ensure Maryland’s coordinated response to public safety threats.
Maryland State Police command personnel are on alert to deploy additional troopers if needed for a State Police response or to assist local law enforcement. No additional personnel have been deployed at this time, but all troopers currently on patrol are implementing increased precautions.
God bless all who participated, and their families and friends. When will this madness stop?