Boston Marathon: Attempting to Contact Local Runner

 UPDATE: Local runner Ricky Campbell OK re: Boston Marathon

I received, within the past hour, an email from Ricky Campbell, a former St. Albans runner, who was listed as a runner at the Boston Marathon's web site. Though Campbell was listed as a runner, he said he did not run in the event and instead gave his bib number to a friend.

I included a few selections from Campbell's email below.

"I was signed up to do the Boston Marathon this year, but had to back out..."

"I gave my bib to a friend so he could experience the event and he is safe. I guess, on my side, it was a blessing in disguise. Because, seriously, last year, my family was RIGHT THERE where it happened. (See picture attached)."

"I ran it last year (as you know) in 2012 and it was an awesome experience.

I just can't believe this happened. I feel awful to the individuals who were unable to finish...to train for months to complete THE BOSTON MARATHON...and have it taken away. I can't begin to express how much that would destroy me. Thoughts and prayers to all the runners. I hope it doesn't mess up local running in our area - I direct three races myself so this is a very sad day for the running community.

I would have loved to give you an interview, but I wasn't there. But I can give you my friend's contact information, who ran under my name, if you would like to speak with him."


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As the tragic events continue to unfold in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bomb blasts, I wanted to share my second-degree connections.

Last year, I interviewed former St. Albans runners Richard (Ricky) Campbell for The Daily Mail, as
Campbell prepared for the 2012 Boston Marathon. That article can be found here. When WSAZ reported 46 runners from West Virginia participated in this year's Boston Marathon, I immediately thought to check the event's registry for Campbell's name.

I noted Campbell, 22, had raced in this year's event and finished with a gun time of 3:52:52. The first blast today occurred at 4:09:43 into the race -- approximately 17 minutes after Campbell cross the finish line. The first explosion happened at approximately 2:50 p.m. EST.

Once I confirmed Campbell had ran in this year's race, I informed my sports editors at The Daily Mail. I still had Campbell's cell phone number and email address saved from our contact in April 2012. I forwarded that information to reporters at The Daily Mail.

When I returned home from my day job, I placed a call to Campbell's phone. It immediately went to a message without ringing. The message said, "The person you are trying to reach is not accepting calls at this time." Though The Daily Mail has not yet confirmed the status of Campbell as of 7 p.m., the message is not a surprise as many news outlets are reporting that authorities have limited cell service to the immediate Boston area.

In addition to placing a call, I texted Campbell and emailed him. I will be sure to update this post once I receive word from Campbell.

Another Boston Marathon runner I previously interviewed is Jamie Key Cryan, a Hopkins County Central graduate, who I interviewed while working at The Messenger in Madisonville, Ky.

Key Cryan has ran in multiple Boston Marathons, including today's. According to the marathon's web site, Key-Cryan crossed the finish line today with a gun time of 3:39:36, approximately a half hour before the first blast.

According to The Messenger's Facebook status, Key Cryan relayed via text message, "We are counting our blessings and thinking of others." The Messenger reported Key Cryan was a quarter mile away when she heard the explosions.

Again, I plan to share updates of my attempted correspondence with Campbell. I just wanted to share my initial attempts and connections to today's events.