Boston Marathon participant Mike Stewart was awoken by flurry of phone calls and texts.
They were from friends and loved ones, making sure he was safe.
Stewart, the winner of Plant City’s 2013 Strawberry Distance Challenge 5K, finished the race almost exactly one hour before the first explosion occurred at 2:50 p.m. April 15, on the north side of Boylston Street.
The 49-year-old, Redmond, Wash., resident, whose parents live in Lakeland, finished the race 26-mile race in just over three hours.
“We were back in our hotel room safe and sound,” Stewart said. “I’m surprised we didn’t hear the blasts, but we were napping. After getting woken up from calls and texts, that’s when we heard all the sirens.”
The two explosions killed three people and injured more than 140, according to early reports. Among the injured, 17 were reported to be in critical condition.
Stewart, who participated in the Strawberry Distance Challenge 5K as training for his first Boston Marathon, said he is trying not to let the tragedy take away from what otherwise was a great experience.
“For me, it was a good race and a great experience,” he said. “I’m trying not to let the rest detract from that.”