The son of a Menston runner who took part in the Boston marathon last night told the Telegraph & Argus of his relief at hearing his dad was unharmed after the killer explosions.

Among the thousands of participants were friends Geoffrey Baggaley, 54, and Debbie Holmes, both of Menston.

Mr Baggaley’s son Edward, 21, said: “I have spoken to him briefly and he is fine. The two people he was with, Debbie and a friend from the Leeds area, are also fine.”

He added: “I am very, very relieved, although I was not panicking until I knew if something was wrong.”

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Edward first heard about the blasts when his grandma rang and told him to put on the news. He said he was calling his mum and dad “back and forth” and speaking to his brother in New York as well in his desperation to find out about his dad.

Fortunately, Mr Baggaley, of Victoria Avenue, and Debbie, who is best friends with Mr Baggaley’s wife, had crossed the finish line at least an hour before the explosions, said Edward.

Their friend from Leeds was one of the stragglers who was redirected after the blasts. Edward, who said his dad was due to fly home today said: “He just heard two explosions. They were someway away from the scene when it happened.”