– Julie Jeske: Boston Marathon Bombing “Surreal”

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP & KCSi-T.V. News) A Jamestown native who finished the Boston Marathon minutes before two bombs exploded says she is in disbelief and called the event “surreal.”

Julie Jeske was about two blocks away getting food when two bombs exploded in the packed streets near the finish line Monday. At least three people were killed and scores of others were injured.

Jeske says she could see the smoke billowing out but tried to stay away so that emergency responders could attend to the injured.

Jeske who now lives in Bismarck with her husband Charlie was one of 17 runners from the Capitol City competing in the race. This was her fourth time running the Boston Marathon.

She said it was frustrating not being able to call her husband and other family members once the cell phone circuits were jammed or overloaded minutes after the explosions in downtown Boston. Jeske flew back to Bismarck Tuesday to reunite with her family

Other former Jamestown residents in the marathon included, Justin Schweitzer, from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Maggie Conlon.Lief Rasmussen, now of Fargo, says that he and the others in his group are safe.