Pipe bomb explodes before Marines charity 5K; no injuries

World Today

Photo from the Seaside Semper Five 5K Charity Run Facebook page. (Caption reads: Colonel Dunn greets MARSOC Marine Major Matt Lampert at the 2015 #SeasideSemperFive race finish line. Major Lampert lost both legs during his second tour of duty in Afghanistan.)

Authorities say a pipe bomb exploded in a New Jersey shore town shortly before thousands of runners were due to take part in a charity 5K race to benefit marines and sailors.

No injuries were reported in the blast in Seaside Park, which occurred around 9:30 a.m. Saturday.

Photo from the Seaside Semper Five 5K Charity Run Facebook page.

Photo from the Seaside Semper Five 5K Charity Run Facebook page.

The race — the third annual Semper Five run — was canceled.

The pipe bomb was in a garbage can when it exploded. Authorities immediately cleared the boardwalk and beach area.

Officials say runners had been scheduled to pass by the area around the time the blast occurred. But the start of the race had been delayed after an unattended backpack was found.

Numerous state and federal law enforcement agencies are investigating.

It wasn’t clear when the boardwalk and beach will reopen.

Story by the Associated Press