Runners from Schuylkill County said they will not let the Boston Marathon bombing prevent them from running again.
Last year, eight county residents took part in the race. This year, six Schuylkill runners will participate today in the 118th Boston Marathon.
"You can't let fear stop you," said Sandi Bergan, 51, of Pottsville, referring to the bombings that killed three and injured 260-plus at the 2013 marathon.
She ran in the event last year and said she was about two blocks away after finishing when she heard the explosions but didn't think much about it at the time.
She described her mood Friday as "anxious" because of all the people who will be attending the event.
There are 36,000 official entrants as well as thousands of spectators.
Bergan has been training since last July for the marathon.
Safety precautions will be taken along the route.
"They're never going to let anything like that happen again," she said.
The Boston Athletic Association website - www.baa.org - provides information to runners and the general public about the race.
For instance, there will be 3,500 security personnel, 1,500 Boston police officers, 450 state police, 600 members of the National Guard and other personnel there.
Three people died as a result of the two bombings at the 2013 marathon and 260-plus were injured.
The 26.2-mile race starts in Hopkinton and ends in Copley Square.
Kathleen Snukis, 48, of Saint Clair, ran the Boston Marathon last year and finished the race. She also was about two blocks away at the Athletes Village when the bombs went off.
Initially, she said, she didn't know what to make of the noise but realized something was wrong.
"All I saw was people running and screaming," Snukis said Friday.
An injury to her Achilles tendon prevents her from running this year but she will be there to support her daughter, Samatha Snukis, 28.
"There was no doubt in my mind I really wanted to go back," Kathleen said.
Last year, Samatha attended the marathon to support her mom, but she isn't a new marathon runner as she ran in 2011.
This year she will run with her boyfriend, Mike Carriglitto, Stowe.
Samatha said she also wanted to show the world that the running community and country is strong.
"It shows our unity," she said about everyone running after the bombing and the support people show.
Kathleen Snukis said returning to Boston will show that "we are strong and this will not define us."
Jennifer L. Burgess, 41, of Minersville, will also run in Boston. She said she has extra incentive to run this year because her mother, Clista Hudock, 65, of Pottsville, died April 14 of lung cancer.
Her mother wanted her to run the race.
"Mom, I'm dedicating this race to you," Burgess said.
At first, Burgess said, she didn't want to go back. Then, as the "shock wore off," she wanted to return, she said.
"I just kind of felt that I had to go back to prove something," Burgess said Friday.
Her mother and father, John Hudock, attended last year's race to support her. Her father, however, will not attend the 2014 race.
Like others, Burgess did a lot of training for the event. At times, she even ran on her treadmill in the winter because of the weather conditions, she said.
Burgess had finished the 2013 race about 30 minutes before the explosions. She is convinced that everything will be OK for this year's race.
"I'm not worried at all," she said.
Joe Muldowney, Pottsville, who ran in Boston last year, said he also wanted to run this year.
"It's going to be quite an event. I will be very disappointed I will not be there," he said Thursday.
An injury he sustained last May has not completely healed, preventing him from running.
Muldowney said he will miss the excitement.
Regarding safety, Muldowney said would have no issues with that if he were going.
"I think it will be the safest place in the world to be Monday. I think the security precautions will be fabulous," he said. County runners
The following Schuylkill County residents will run in today's Boston Marathon:
Sandi Bergan, 51, of Pottsville
Jennifer L. Burgess, 41, of Minersville
Lisa R. Georgis, 45, New Ringgold
Samantha Snukis, 28, of Saint Clair
Jennifer Terefencko, 35, of Pottsville
Mary Bosack, 48, of New Ringgold
Source: The Boston Athletic Association