By Richard Murray 

BOSTON, MA – Literally two days after Monday’s Boston Marathon bombings, Amanda Whitten, who hails from California, has already begun thinking about next year’s race.

“Next year we will have people run in honor of (Monday’s victims) and show that marathons have always been about a celebration of the human spirit, people coming together, and supporting each other,” said Whitten, who has run the 26.2 mile race three times.

“This will definitely not (prevent me from returning) because that would be letting them win, but I am just sad for all those people and spectators.”

Excluding Whitten, other runners have spent the past few days contemplating about next year’s race, but most seem determined to return to Boston next April.

“I never thought I would end up doing the Boston Marathon again, but (with the race) ending on such a negative note it has been on my mind,” said Lisa Turner, a marathon runner from Milwaukee. “I would hate for it to be the last one.”

Jonathan Thomas, who traveled to Boston from Baton Rouge, looks forward to running his second race next year and being apart of the state’s Patriots Day celebration.

“I was already planning on coming back again next year, but what happened is not going to stop me from returning,” Thomas said. “This was my first time coming here to Boston, and I won’t let (what happened) ruin this race.”

With more photos and videos of the bombings being released to the police, as well as being shown on television and across the web, some runners are considering the “what-if” question, especially Turner, who finished 15 minutes prior to the first explosion.

“I have gone over it 100 times in my head, what if that was me (at the blast, but) I haven’t put my medal on yet because I just can’t bring myself to do it,” Turner said.  “You feel like you want to celebrate, but there is just (too) much negativity.”

Reports confirmed yesterday that the Boston Marathon’s would occur next year, which is something Whiten was happy to hear.

“That would be letting them win,” Whitten said had the committee postponed the race.

Follow Richard Murray on Twitter @Richie_Murray