Sharon Resident: 'City Was Kind of in Chaos' After Marathon Explosions

As he took off from the starting line at Monday's Boston Marathon, one thing was clear for Eli Chernin: The weather was nothing short of ideal. 

"The conditions were prime for running," said Chernin, a Sharon resident who completed the 26.2-mile event in 3:38:57. "Textbook running conditions." 

But within a half hour after he crossed the finish line, Chernin, 32, said he heard what sounded like sonic booms or fireworks, followed by two plumes of smoke that rose into the air. 

"Once the first one went off, everyone was sort of stunned," he said. "I was a bit distraught. Definitely, a bit in shock."

Authorities on Tuesday continued to investigate the two explosions at the Boston Marathon, which left three people dead and nearly 150 injured. 

"The city was kind of in chaos," said, recalling the scene in Back Bay on Monday. "People just walking around aimlessly. I headed up towards [Boston] Common. I ended up meeting another runner from [Washington] D.C. and he and his wife invited me back to the Long Wharf Mariott to make some phone calls."

Chernin, who ran the Boston Marathon for Team TAN - Technology for Autism Now and using Luna Sandals in the barefoot-style tradition of running, had set out on the marathon route with sherpa and running partner Brian Silver, who helped him keep pace the entire way. 

As they approached the finish line, the two running partners jogged in separate directions. Then, after the explosions, Chernin found it difficult to locate his partner.

"I couldn't find my buddy," he said. "I stayed where I was. I had spoken to my wife and my parents, who were out at Cleveland Circle."

As the blasts occurred, Chernin stood near a series of buses in which runners of Monday's marathon stored their luggage, bags and personal belongings.

Several runners were unable to obtain their items Monday, but Chernin said he did not store anything on the bus, and his running partner, whom he finally located, was able gather his parcels before the area went into lockdown. 

At one point, Chernin, who was still shaken from the incident Tuesday, said he was elated to know his family was safe, especially after asking them not to venture into Back Bay from where they were in Cleveland Circle so they could meet him after he finished the race. 

"My initial reaction, about a minute after the explosion and after I realized what was going on was that I hoped that my wife, kids, and parents had not decided to change their minds and surprise me at the finish line," Chernin said. "After the explosion, I called my wife again and told her to take the kids and my parents and go home - that I would meet them there."

Chernin also expressed gratitude to God and to Silver, who carried his backpack with water diaphragm for a majority of the course. 

"I could not have stayed on pace without him," Chernin said. 

And for his part, Silver said the experience is not something he will forget.

"My experience was similar to that of many that day," he said. "There was the initial happiness of crossing the finish line but then profound sadness and shock about what happened. I was about 500 feet from the first explosion. Like everyone else, I thought it was a transformer or gas line. After the second explosion, we were asked to quickly clear the area. I was eventually able to get home through the kindness of other people."

Despite the trauma of the events on Monday, Silver said it is not something that is about to deter him or Chernin from running again. 

"I'm glad that Eli was able to achieve his goal," he said. "The running community is very tight and we are rallying together to keep going."