Community Corner

Falls Man Who Finished Boston Marathon is Safe

Falls resident Paul Steder finished the Boston Marathon Monday, but confirmed with family that he was safe.

Media outlets are reporting two fatalities and many more injured after an explosion at the Boston Marathon, local residents are seeking information about their friends and family participating in the run.

Four Menomonee Falls residents were signed up to run. Only Falls resident Paul Steder, 46, finished the race. He crossed the finish line in roughly 3 hours and 50 minutes - just 20 minutes before the first explosion occurred, but is unharmed. 

“I heard from his wife that they are all good, Paul and the family are OK,” said Carola Kier, Steder's mother-in-law. 

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Kier said they were having trouble receiving cell phone reception and contacting Steder immediately, but the family was eventually informed. 

According to an Associated Press report, two explosions near the finish line of the Boston Marathon had people carrying bloody spectators into the medical tent. The latest report indicates that at least two people are dead and more than a dozen are injured.

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"There are a lot of people down," the AP quoted one man saying. The explosions happened about three hours after the winners crossed the finish line.

NBC News reported fire engines, police and emergency medical personnel were headed to the scene. An affiliate reporter told NBC News she heard two loud explosions, and that "everybody kind of ducked and hit the ground," and Jackie Bruno, reporter for New England Cable News said she saw people with significant injuries, including one person with a leg blown off.

"Runners were coming in and saw unspeakable horror," Bruno said.  

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The Boston Athletic Association website lists the following Menomonee Falls entrants:

  • Paul Steder, 46
  • Thomas Heidenberger, 32 
  • Mary Fahey, 43 
  • Jaclyn Eisenhower, 25


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