Hundreds walking and running to show support for Boston. Photo by Liz Burke
Liz Burke, WPRO News
Hundreds of students, staff, alumni and even a few dogs gathered at Salve Regina University on Thursday afternoon. They all came together to participate in a 1.5 mile walk/run to honor the Boston Marathon Bombing victims.
“I just think, for such a small school, to have this many people show up last minute I’m just really really impressed students and faculty and staff alike,” said Emily Diomandes, one of the participators.
Many came just to show their support, but for others the bombing hit too close to home. DJ Watkins had friends who were first responders and family who were running in the marathon. He says thankfully they are all okay but he is running for them.
“One of them was fifty yards away from the blast and he ran towards the blast and he worked over twenty-four hours straight and he just got off today and he’s going back in a few hours,” said Watkins
Director of Community Service for the University, Kelly Powers says the event started out just as a few people walking at lunch time and it turned into something much bigger.
“Being that it was at the marathon this is something that’s perfect. Everybody can walk and run and reflect and maybe this will inspire some people to walk and to run and to, not necessarily do a marathon, but maybe a 5K and say we’re going to just keep moving forward. We’re not scared, they’re not going to stop us from running,” said Powers.
Providence College is also planning on holding a one mile walk for the victims on Friday evening at 4:30. They say they are planning on wearing school colors or their favorite Boston sports team apparel.
