Just as the bombs went off on Monday, many in Boston were out celebrating, working or running in the marathon.

I kept thinking how I could so easily have been there

Within seconds, it was utter chaos on the finishing line: three were killed, among them an eight-year old boy, and 176 were injured.

The overcrowded hospitals and the pavements stained with blood were painful evidence of the tragedy.

No Maltese were injured in the attack but the sports community around Malta was in shock.

Maltese marathon participant Freddie Debono, 65, who took part in the Boston 42km marathon last year, watched the news in horror.

“I kept thinking how I could so easily have been there,” he said.

As a veteran runner, with 31 marathons around the world including the big five, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York and Boston, he said this would “certainly” not deter him from taking part in other events.

“Even if I knew that there’s going to be a bomb, I would still do it. I live for marathons,” he said.

Daniel Agius, 34, is not letting the Boston bombing spoil his plans for the London marathon, which he is doing for charity. “I was following it on the news and the timing of the bombing was the timing that I am aiming for – so yes things start running through your mind,” he said. “But I’m going to go ahead.”

Fabio Spiteri, coach and triathlete, described the bombing as “reaching down to the lowest pits of humanity”. He was still getting to grips with the fact that at least two athletes had their legs amputated.

He described how he was at the Paralympics earlier this year sharing a table with Americans and Iranian, and Palestinian and Israelites athletes were dining side by side. “Sport is the only thing in the world that unites humanity so targeting a sport is completely sick,” he said.

He did not think that this would affect participation in future marathons: “But ultimately, the peace of mind of participants has been taken away.”

Veteran runner Caroline Walsh said: “It’s shocking news – a celebration was turned into a nightmare. If I were going to the London marathon on Sunday, I would be thinking twice.

“They can step up security but what guarantee is there? There’s only a limit to what you can do.”

Malta marathon race director Joe Micallef, however, believed people taking part in marathons would be enthusiastic about their goal and would not let this tragic massacre dampen their spirit.

“Remember that taking part would involve a year of training with the last three months being very intensive,” he said.

Shock was also registered by Pier Massa, who lived and worked in Boston from 2004 till 2006 and was familiar with many of the areas targeted in Monday’s attacks. He had spent many hours in the nearby public library and joined the crowds on the streets for the marathon himself.

He explained that Boston is a very relaxed, academic city where such attacks would be unthinkable. “The marathon was held on Patriots’ Day, which is normally a very celebratory occasion with lots of sporting events taking place,” Mr Massa said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat wrote to President Obama expressing his solidarity during this painful time.

“This egregious attack is all the more senseless on account of it targeting such a beloved and world-renowned event,” read his letter.

Earlier the Foreign Ministry condemned the “senseless violence and the unnecessary loss of innocent civilian lives”.

Additional reporting by Patrick Cooke.