Documentary explores the story of two Boston Marathon participants

Juli Windsor a runner with dwarfism standing at 3 feet 9 inches was just a little away from the finish line of the Boston Marathon in 2013 when bombs exploded in a terrorist attack ripping the heart out of Boston and stripping the Boston Marathon of its innocence forever She was unable to complete the race and turned back like so many othersJuli Windsor and David Abel running in the Boston Marathon 2014It was a bitter disappointment but nothing compared to the tragedy that had unfolded around her Juli came back in 2014 to run again and became the first person with dwarfism ever to finish the race It was a highly symbolic run in 2014 making a statement with other survivors Documentary filmmaker David Abel who was making a film on Juli also ran the Boston marathon with Julie in 2014LR Jenna Dziedzic of Boston MA Sabrina Dellorusso of Boston MA Linda Witt of Neenah WI and Jillian Boynton of Manchester NH react during a moment of silence at 249 pm ET near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Boylston Street commemorating the twoyear anniversary of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings on April 15 2015 in Boston Massachusetts PicGetty ImagesAFPExcerpts from an interview with Juli Windsor and David AbelJuli WindsorQ Was 2013 your first ever Boston marathonA Juli Yes that was my first Boston Marathon but I was stopped half a mile from finishing due to the bombings I returned the next year and completed the race in 44326Juli at the start line in Boston with other runners See how the others are missing a leg or feetQ What is your professionA Juli I am a physician assistant A physician assistant is similar to an unspecialized doctor who works under the supervision of a specialist I am licensed to diagnose treat and manage disease I work at East Boston Neighborhood Health Center in the department of paediatricsQ What were the thoughts in your head at the start of the 2014 marathon Runners have a great deal going through their minds at the start lineA Juli Going back to the starting line in 2014 was a conscious decision of moral obligation and desire for justice In light of the 2013 bombings the Boston Marathon 2014 was a race that brought the entire city together both runners and nonrunners When I started the marathon I was excited to finish what I had been pursuing for years and felt honoured to be a part of something bigger than myself The deliberate return of runners and crowds to the Boston Marathon 2014 did not erase the scars the city endured but it reassured us all that we stand as oneQ Reactions of the crowd while you were running Can you explain the atmosphereA Juli I was in the first heat of runners and literally led the pack for the first 10 miles This in and of itself created an incredibly unique experience People were already lined up to cheer on the runners Many people recognized me from a running magazine I was featured in earlier that month and screamed my name I had fun shouting back and getting people excited for the rest of the runners that followed behind meQ Why did David Abel and you run in 2014A Juli David had started a film about me in 2013 and after the bombings he felt his film was incomplete He continued following my story as I had decided to return to the starting line in 2014 I was allowed one person to start the race with me so I chose to have David run with me in order to experience firsthand what I was experiencingQ It was colateral damage claimed the bombers Tsarnaev brothers revenge for the US killing innocent Muslims through the war on Iraq and elsewhere Any comments on thisA Juli I think this is an important but extremely complex issue that I am unable to respond to in a concise mannerQ How has this changed you as a personA Juli Running changed me as a person early in life by teaching me endurance and perseverance through hardships Running taught me to not quit even if you come in last It has also taught me the importance of community and codepending on the friends and family in your life Following the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013 the decision to return in 2014 was instinctive as a runner There was no question in my mind that it was the right thing to do This experience has not so much changed me as a person but it has reinforced the characteristics I want to continue to cultivate in my lifeQ As a person with dwarfism is it more of a challenge if so in what wayA Juli Dwarfism is a genetic bone growth disorder that affects the entire skeletal system Along with short stature people with dwarfism commonly have abnormal spines andor joint problems Running is a highimpact sport so having abnormal anatomy can add stress and pain to the body and make it more difficult to run compared to the average runner Additional steps are also required to cover the same distance given shorter leg length Because of this running a marathon for someone with dwarfism is closer to running nearly 50 miles because of the additional steps that are requiredDavid AbelQ Was this your first ever Boston marathonA David No I had run Boston thrice before I have lived in Boston for 15 years though Irsquom originally from New York I am a reporter at lsquoThe Boston Globersquo and have been for 15 yearsQ What were the thoughts in your head when you started the 2014 marathon Runners have a great deal going through their minds at the start lineA David I just hoped I could keep up with Juli who is quite fast I almost didnrsquot make it to the finish line when my calf muscles locked at mile 25Q Reactions of the crowd while you were running Bring alive the atmosphereA David It was euphoric and reverent at the same time The crowds were all screaming Juli JuliQ Why did both of you run in 2014A David For Juli it was about finishing what the race she started and nearly completed in 2013 For me it was about filming that and my own desire to cleanse the horror I witnessed on the finish line in 2013Q It was colateral damage claim the Tsarnaev brothers revenge for US killing innocent Muslims through the war on Iraq and elsewhereA David There is no excuse for deliberately killing people who were standing near the finish line to cheer for other people perhaps the most basic act of loveQ What did it feel like revisiting Boston marathon in 2014A David It was cathartic to finish the right way with thousands cheeringQ What inspired you to make the documentaryA David It was a pleasure to make this film as Juli is irrepressible and amazing in so many ways Julirsquos comeback embodied the spirit of the Marathon her strength her courage and her spirit She overcame a lot to get to the starting line twice including fears of another potential attack in 2014 I wanted her story to be told properly with the right ending and I wanted people to appreciate what she and so many others in our city experienced as a result of the bombinglsquoUndaunted Chasing History at the Boston Marathonrsquo will air on BBC World News on April 18 at 840 pm April 19 240 pm