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Local Boston Marathon Runners React To Verdict

LACKAWANNA COUNTY — “It was pretty terrifying because you just didn’t know what was going to happen next.” It has been two years, but fo...

LACKAWANNA COUNTY -- "It was pretty terrifying because you just didn't know what was going to happen next."

It has been two years, but for some, it seems like just yesterday.

The Boston Marathon bombings left three dead and more than 250 people wounded in 2013.

Bill Urbanski of Luzerne County had finished the race and was with family and friends nearby when it happened.

"We had just sat down for dinner and drinks and boom. Explosions went off and we didn't know what was going on. It was just chaos everywhere," he said.

Urbanksi is also a criminal defense attorney. He said the guilty verdict reached against Dzhokhar Tsarnaev by a Massachusetts jury Wednesday is not surprising.

"I think it certainly brings some justice to the equation. The real drama is going to be the next phase of the trial whether or not they decide on the death penalty," said Urbanski.

Jody Price of Clarks Summit finished the Boston Marathon in 2013 holding hands with her sister.

They went to find their family and that is when the heard the news.

"I remember a truck pulling up right in front of us and military men jumping out with machine guns and running right by us. It was very surreal," she said.

For Price, it has been difficult to follow the trial over the past month. She said seeing Tsarnaev's face on television has been hard to bear.

"I think this is what had to happen. I think for the families who were victimized, I don't know. I don't know if they'll ever find peace. At least justice is served."

For both runners, the memories of the bombings will remain, but whatever the sentence for convicted bomber Tsarnaev, death or life behind bars, they said they hope everyone can now put this behind them.

"It's always something that's going to be in your memory, but we all have to kind of move on with our lives," said Urbanski.

"I do pray for the families that they can find peace no matter what the decision ends up being and I do feel if it ends up being life in prison, he'll get what he deserves in the end," said Price.

This year, the Boston Marathon is scheduled for April 20. Urbanski said he will be running the race again this year. Price said she is not, though she may run it again in the future.

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