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(AUDIO) Jacksonville runner reflects on her experience at Boston Marathon

Jacksonville runners who attended the Boston Marathon are back home and reflecting on how shocking and surreal the past week was.

"It's changed who you're defined as," said Runner Beth DeArment. "Now, you were one of those runners that ran this event. You're a part of history, but in a different way.

DeArment was just a half mile away from the explosions, and it cycles through her mind how close she came.

"I've had some bad dreams about it. That of not having control over what's happening," said DeArment. She said many of the runners she returned home early with were crying, but it didn't hit DeArment until she saw the worry on the face of her loved ones here in Jacksonville.

No one within her group was hurt, and she has some closure now that a suspect has been caught and the other killed. But, DeArment wants to finish what she started. She'll be ready for next year's Boston Marathon to show support for the city and achieve her goal of finishing the race for a second time.

"I want to go. I can't wait to go back. I want to be a part of it," said DeArment. "It's our Super Bowl. It's our World Series. It's our big event and we can't lose it. And we all want to be a part of it. And I think even more now, everyone wants to be there."

DeArment also missed out on the New York City Marathon because of Hurricane Sandy. She plans to keep training and be ready for next year's marathon.

Several local runners are expected to show their support for Boston, on Monday night at a 6:30pm, 3-to-5 mile run at the St. Johns Town Center. All proceeds go to the people most affected by the terror attack. For more information, visit the 1st Place Sports Event Page.

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