A BINGHAM runner was just yards away when explosions rocked the Boston Marathon.
Anthony Meenaghan, 22, had just collected his medal after the race when the blasts happened.
Three people died and at least 140 were injured in Monday's tragedy.
The former Toot Hill pupil, who was unhurt, said: "It was just crazy – no one knew what was happening. I thought it was celebration cannons or something. People were screaming, I think some were crying, it was madness.
"I was up until midnight on Monday watching what had happened on TV and unable to believe it – to target the marathon and the spectators was just sick."
Mr Meenaghan, of Ashdown Grove, was running the race with his 48-year-old dad Tony, who was caught up in the aftermath.
Anthony said: "He was a few miles behind me because he's older and it was his first marathon. It's fortunate he was so slow, otherwise things could have been worse.
"I couldn't get hold of anyone because the phone networks were down, but they are relieved I am OK.
"As soon as I realised people had died, it wasn't about the run any more, you just go cold thinking about it.''
Tracy Mumford, Anthony's mum, said: "I am so relieved that Anthony, his family and friends are all safe but my heart goes out to everyone caught up in this incident."
The FBI said they were treating the explosions as a "potential terrorist inquiry."
Two Notts runners who are in the London Marathon on Sunday said the blasts had made them determined the race goes ahead.
Matthew Pickles, 36, of Clifton, said: "It is sad what has happened there, it's really tragic, but you can't let the people behind this win and call off the marathon."
Politics student Billy Rayfield, 19, of St Ann's, said: "We've all done the training and we're ready to go. We can't let something like this stop us."
