SUFFOLK runners caught up in the chaos of the Boston Marathon explosions have told of their relief after escaping unhurt.

Two explosions near the finishing line of the Boston Marathon left three people dead and at least 140 injured in shocking scenes yesterday.

According to the official 2013 Boston Marathon entry list, four runners from Suffolk entered the 26.2 mile race.

Speaking from her Boston hotel this morning, the youngest, Hazel Kurz, of Stonham Aspal, Stowmarket, told the East Anglian Daily Times she was safe and well.

“I was held at the course closure at 25.6miles until we were guided away from the scene,” the 37-year-old said.

Her father Bob said: “I switched on the news and saw that two bombs had gone off. I couldn’t believe it. It was shocking. I’m just glad Hazel is safe.”

Dave Copland, Ipswich Triathlon Club race director, said club member Chris Tye, 46, who also took part in the Boston Marathon, posted a message on their private Facebook group saying he was safe.

Mr Copland said My Tye’s message, which can only be seen by club members, read: “Just to let you know I am out of Boston safe and sound. I was a block away when the bombs went.

“I had a scary wait for my partner Cheryl who was in a later wave and I had not met up with her at the time. But she was ok and turned up 15 minutes later.”

Stowmarket Striders last night tweeted to say that one of their runners, Frank Moggan, 63, had finished the race in 3 hours 52 minutes and he and his wife were safely away from the scene when the bombs went off.

Cheryl Holder, 45, of Woodbridge, was the fourth Suffolk runner in the race.

Former Royal Hospital School pupil Kirsty Wright, 31, who competed in last year’s race, said: “As a participant of last year’s Boston marathon, my heart goes out to all involved this year.

“They train hard, travel from all over the globe and raise money for charities not expecting that anything like this would happen to them or their loved ones.”