Runner from Iconic Boston Marathon Photo Talks Tragic Events

Bill Iffrig has become a face of the tragedy at the Boston Marathon.

The runner was right at the finish line when the first of two explosions went off, knocking him to the ground as people scattered away from the scene on Monday afternoon.

A photo of Iffrig on the ground near police officers has circulated the media and is now one of the more iconic pictures of the tragic scene.

This became the cover photo on Tuesday's edition of Sports Illustrated (via Kevin Lincoln of Buzzfeed).

SportsCenter's Steve Levy caught up with Iffrig to discuss the events that took place.

Iffrig states that the shockwave from the blast forced him to the ground, and it took him some time to become alert enough to move. 

The Washington native has now finished the Boston Marathon three times, but he describes this as a life-changing moment and will never take part in this event again.

This is likely the attitude that many will have after one of the more horrific scenes ever to take place at a sporting event.

According to Holly Yan and Michael Pearson of CNN, three people died and more than 170 were injured due to the two explosions that took place near the finish line.

President Barack Obama addressed the nation on Tuesday and said:

"

This was a heinous and cowardly act and given what we now know about what took place, the FBI is investigating it as an act of terrorism. Anytime bombs are used to target innocent civilians, it is an act of terror.

"

Sporting events in Boston, including the next Bruins and Celtics games, were also postponed or canceled. 

Many details surrounding the event are still to be determined, but thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this terrible tragedy.

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