Boston Marathon Runners Get Married Hours After Bombing

Boston, MA – Two competitors in the Boston Marathon managed to create a happy ending for themselves despite the horrifying circumstances of the city-wide event on Monday.

Hours after two bombs exploded near the finish line at the Boston Marathon, killing 3 people and wounding upwards of 150, Robert Watling and Kelli Johnston married each other in Boston Common while still wearing their running shoes.

Watling and Johnston both ran in the Boston Marathon just hours before, finishing the race before the gathered crowd on Boylston Street. They had planned to marry after completing the marathon together, and still carried through despite the bombing.

The couple share a passion for running, which was apparent in the photos taken at their wedding. In addition to traditional attire, the couple were also sporting running shoes and medals from the Boston Marathon. The man who officiated was also wearing a pair of running sneakers.

Thus far, two of the three Boston Marathon victims have been identified by authorities. Martin Richard, 8, was identified late Monday. The second was identified Tuesday as Krystle Campbell, a 29-year-old Massachusetts woman. The third victim has not yet been named by authorities.

“My daughter was the most lovable girl,” said father William Campbell. “She helped everybody, and I’m just so shocked right now. We’re just devastated.”

Investigators don’t have any solid suspects in the bombing yet, despite reports of a “mysterious man” on a rooftop during the explosion. It was determined fairly quickly that the tragedy was an act of terror, though whether domestic, international, or individual, is currently unknown.

Authorities now believe that the bombs used were shrapnel-studded pressure cookers that were hidden in backpacks and detonated by timers.

What do you think of the Boston Marathon wedding? A testament to the city’s strength, or what?

[Image via: EMprize, Shutterstock.com]