One Year Later, Still ‘Boston Strong’

One year ago, the iconic finish line on Boylston Street looked like a war zone.

Three people were killed and more than 250 others were injured after two pressure cooker bombs exploded during the 2013 Boston Marathon.

Race officials worried that participation in 2014 might be down, maybe even non-existent, after last year's tragedy. Now, twelve months later, it seems anticipation couldn't be any higher.

Like hundreds of others, Carol Donohue witnessed the chaos from last year's bombings; and just like tens of thousands more, she's returned to Boston on the weekend before the city's biggest annual event for the chance to display her resolve and strength.

Less than 48 hours from the start of this year's race, we asked her what's different about the atmosphere surrounding the city of Boston, and what's going through her mind as she prepares for what might be the most emotional run of her life.

Here's our exclusive interview with the mother of the host of the South Jersey Sports Report, and the competitor set to participate in her 9th Boston Marathon, Carole Donohue:

Photo courtesy: Connect Cape May County Facebook page

And one woman had her fair share of trials and tribulations as a basketball player and coach in South Jersey; yet none compared to a diving accident that years later left her teenage son a quadriplegic.

In the eight years since, she's rallied around tremendous community support and faith-based writing.

The South Jersey Sports Report was proud to welcome Sue Wunder into our studio to talk about her life experiences and her powerful new book.

Sue Wunder, Author of "Enough for Today"

Click this link to find a copy of Sue Wunder's new book, "Enough for Today"

Here’s a preview of some of the other interviews from this week’s edition of the South Jersey Sports Report:

Press of Atlantic City reporter Mike McGarry has more on a strong start for a very young local baseball program, and the aftermath for another team that's lost their star pitcher to injury
Courier-Post sports report Kevin Minnick has more on a big coaching change for one local high school football team, and explains why its a step toward stability for a struggling program
One of South Jersey's most explosive football players is fielding offers from several big-name colleges, but has his sights set on an even brighter future
FoxSports recruiting analyst Sam Hellman has the latest on some of other the highest-rated college prospects in South Jersey, including which local football stars are set to become the next Division I athletes

Listen to this week's show:

Kevin Minnick, Courier-Post sports reporter

Sam Hellman, FoxSports recruiting analyst

Kareem Ali, Timber Creek football standout & multi-sport athlete

Mike McGarry, Press of Atlantic City sports reporter

We’d also like to congratulate the South Jersey Athlete of the Week:

Ishmael Muhammad

Track & Field, Oakcrest

The senior won three relay events and earned Outstanding Track Athlete honors at the annually acclaimed Bridgeton Relays. He is committed to compete collegiality at Villanova.

It’s all right here, on The South Jersey Sports Report. Listen every Saturday, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. on 97.3 ESPN-FM or 973espn.com, and catch the expanded edition every Thursday night from 6-7 p.m.

Follow Tyler Donohue on Twitter @TDsTake