Chris Estwanik finished 21st overall in yesterday’s Boston Marathon, smashing the record for the fastest marathon time set by an Island resident.

Despite his superb performance, Estwanik was understandably subdued when speaking to

The Royal Gazette shortly after it emerged that two explosions shattered the finish of the Boston Marathon.

Authorities headed onto the course to carry away the injured while stragglers in the 26.2-mile race were rerouted away from the smoking site.

“Obviously the latest turn of events has definitely shaken everyone up, we went into a restaurant and had a moment alone together but I’m happy with how the race went,” said Chris.

“I’m grateful for the experience but we can’t be happy after finding out what happened just moments ago.

“The emotions of the memorable moment stopped once we got a shower, walked out the hotel, not knowing what is going on and then get hit with this. It is really tragic.”

Chris, a five-time Bermuda Day Half Marathon champion, finished the famous race in two hours 19 minutes and 55 seconds, a personal best that eclipsed his debut marathon result by more than four minutes.s

The 33-year-old’s time was also faster than the Bermuda residents’ record set in Detroit in 1972 by Peter Lever when he ran the 26.2-mile marathon distance in 2.21.19.

A number of Bermudians and Bermuda residents competed in yesterday’s marathon, including both Chris’ wife Ashley, 35, and Rose-Anna Hoey, 31, who both accomplished their pre-race ambition of running sub-three hour times.

Estwanik was 76th woman across the finish line in 2.55.56, while Hoey was 101st in the women’s race in a time of 2.58.11.

“We both set out for our respective goals and nailed them, it was fantastic for myself and Ashley and we are happy with the performances.

“To beat out 80 plus males that you were not expected to beat was incredible.

“I can speak for Ashley in saying that we are happy for our perfomances, and making Bermuda proud of these achievements and the achievements of all the Bermudians who came out here to compete.

“We hope all the rest of the Bermudians are safe and well.”