Boston Strong: Local runner is going back to run, after being knocked to the ground

LAKE STEVENS – Wednesday marks two years since the deadly bombings at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Three people were killed and more than 200 injured, including Lake Stevens’ native Bill Iffrig.

Iffrig was 78-years-old at the time, he was just about 100 yards away from the finish line when the bombs detonated.

“People were running all over, there was smoke there, stuff was flying out all over, what the hell is going on here?” says Bill Iffrig.

The power of the blast shattered his ear drums and knocked him to the ground.

“It still bothers me to talk about it, I get very emotional. I thought that this was going to be the end of me,” says Iffrig.

A photographer captured the chaos in a very powerful photo that made the cover of Sports Illustrated.  Bill became the iconic symbol of Boston Strong. Bill is going back to Boston this year for the first time since the bombing.

He’s excited about running again on Monday and has no fears.

Bill says this year’s Boston Marathon might be his last marathon, but only time will tell.