Irish runner returns to scene of Boston heartbreak

Emotions will run high this Easter Weekend for Irish marathon runner Bobby Hilliard, ahead of his 26-mile re-run of the Boston Marathon course.

The 50-year old Cork builder was at the 2013 race finish line after completing the Boston course, when two bombs went off, killing three and injuring 250 — but was far enough away to escape injury.

Moved by the experience which he describes as “heartbreaking to witness, but this evil has also brought out the very best in people”, Mr Hilliard has since forged deeper relations with Boston— and Monday will be his 30th marathon run in the 12 months since he last competed in Boston.