An Amazingly Close Call At Marathon For Twin Sisters From Berlin

Kelsey and Caitlyn Budnick are twins and graduates of Berlin High School in 2011. They do a lot of things together and on this Patriot's Day in Boston, where they both go to college, they are glad they stuck together this time for sure.

Kelsey, who goes to Northeastern, has wanted to run the Boston Marathon. It is a dream of hers. So she asked her twin, who goes to Emerson, to meet her at the finish line so she could get even more motivation and see the people finishing.

The twins stood at the finish line for quite a while but Caitlyn had to go to work for 2 p.m. and Kelsey decided to join her.

"Caitlyn works at Alex and Ani on Newbury Street and I had to return a bracelet so she talked me into going with her to return it," said Kelsey, a student at Northeastern University. "We left at about 1:50 p.m. because she was only a block away. I wanted to stay because there is another person from Berlin, Kevin Kozikowski ho goes to Tufts, and I was hoping to meet up with him near the starting line. He's OK I talked to him, but I ended up leaving and thank God I did or I might have been killed or seriously injured."

At about 2:50 p.m., one hour later, the first of two bombs went off at the finish line, right where the twins were standing to watch the runners finish the 26.2 mile run. 

After Kelsey returned the bracelet, she decided to head back to the finish line. She stopped several times, however, to shop at the stores along Newbury Street. She said she ended up in between the two explosions and saw the people running back towards her. She went back to her sister's store and stayed there for a long time. 

"It's 9:30 p.m. and I'm finally back home to my appartment safe," Kelsey said. "I do not think I have ever felt so lucky to have my life line up today. For anyone who knows me one of my life dreams is to run the Boston Marathon. Naturally I was going to watch the race. I went over alone and dragged my sister to the finish line to watch with me until she had to go to work at 2 a block away. 

"The only reason I left the race was to go with her to work to return my bracelet then the plan was to go back. I was walking back alone to the race when the bombs went off. It was instant utter destruction, being stuck on the block in between the two explosions. Today I was closer to what looked like a war zone that I ever hope to be."

"These pictures show the exact spot where Caitlyn Budnick and I were standing. It is exactly where the bomb went off. Thank God I brought that bracelet to return today, because happy me could have stood there and watched all day. Its crazy how our world works and how things line up. I have never felt so lucky in my life, but it pains me as I watch that so many people werent this lucky. Its and ugly world we live in, everyone in Boston please stay safe, and remember to count your blessings."