Minnesotans talk about their Boston Marathons

We interviewed some of the runners from Minnesota who were heading to Boston for Monday's marathon. We present their comments in pairs.

• First, we hear from Ramses Armendariz and Brian Lashinski. Armendariz, 31, of Mexico, is receiving his Ph.D. in economics at the University of Minnesota. Lashinski, 31, works for Medica in the department customer service, state and public programs. Both men run sub-3-hour marathons, which in Boston is considered a Pedestrian pace.

• Kristin Rowell, 36, is an attorney at Anthony Ostlund Baer & Louwagie. Bree Williamson, 28, works as a wealth management adviser at U.S. Bank. Rowell was supposed to be running her 20th marathon this year, but a winter injury has put her on the sidelines as a spectator. Williamson is running her second Boston Marathon.

• Anne Giefer, 32, works as a creative buyer at Target. Mark White, 50, is chief financial officer at the American Refugee Committee. Giefer has run multiple marathons in Boston, and returned home last year describing the eeriness of last year's experience. White, who is running his second Boston Marathon, said his work with people in conflict zones from Sudan to Syria probably gave him a different perspective on the bombings.