Manitobans at Boston Marathon shocked by bomb blasts

Manitobans who ran in the Boston Marathon on Monday say they were shocked when a couple of bombs exploded nearby, killing three people and injuring many more.

The two blasts, whichoccurred near themarathon's finish line,have injured more than 130 others, including some who have severed limbs, according to police and hospital officials.

• Main story: Boston Marathon bomb blasts kill 3, injure dozens
• Social media: Runners and bystanders capture the scene and aftermath

Kevin Donnelly, a vice-president with True North Sports and Entertainment, was one of 39 Manitobans who are listed as participants on the marathon's website.

Donnelly said he had just crossed the finish line when he heard the blasts.

"I had just finished. I was about 150 yards from the explosion when it went off. And now they're saying that there's fatalities and a whole bunch of injuries," he told CBC News from his hotel room.

Donnelly said the group he was running with has been accounted for, but he is still shaken up by what happened.

"It's tough to talk about, for sure," he said.

"It just happened an hour ago and I find myself in my hotel room, still in my running clothing, and not able to really take a minute yet. But this has really been something."

'It could have been anyone'

Foreign Affairs officials told CBC News that so far, there have been no reports of any Canadians injured in the blasts.

Peter Pazerniuk, another Winnipegger who finished the marathon, said he was in his hotel when officials ordered everyone out.

"A guy came walking in and he said, 'We're being evacuated. Everybody has to leave right now because there's been a couple of explosions, and they're closing the race,'" he said.

Pazerniuk said he's thankful to be safe, but he's disgusted that anyone would want to cause harm at the marathon.

"It just makes me sad, to think there's people out there that could try and do something like that," he said.

"That's hitting someone they don't even know. Like, it's just a random person that was crossing the finish line. You know, there's 25,000 others, and it could have been anyone."

Speaking to reporters late Monday, U.S. President Barack Obama said authorities will find whoever is responsible for the explosions.

"Make no mistake, we will get to the bottom of this we'll find out who did this, we'll find out why they did this. Any responsible individuals, any responsible groups will feel the full weight of justice," he said.

'Such a terrible way to end it'

Bob Turner, who is from Killarney, Man., but now lives in Lethbridge, Alta., said he crossed the finish line 20 minutes before the first blast occurred.

"So many peoplelike, 26 miles of people all the way and cheering. It's unbelievable," he said, recalling the many spectators who lined the marathon route.

"I never would have believed anything like this existed; just such a terrible way to end it."

Turner said while he was not harmed by the explosions, he and his wife were too frightened to go back to their hotel room after the incident.

"We didn't want to come to our room, even," he said. "It's 19 storeys up. It feels kind of like it could be a little risky."

Turner and other Canadians who took part in the Boston Marathon are expected to return to their home communities on Tuesday.

Boston Marathon explosion updates

CBC News readers can follow live updates on the events in Boston below: