Richard family sets up foundation; looks to recruit 2014 marathon runners

BOSTON (AP) - The family of an 8-year-old boy killed in the Boston Marathon bombing has created a charitable foundation in his memory and is recruiting a team of charity runners for this year's marathon.

In a blog posting Monday, the family said the Martin W. Richard Charitable Foundation's mission is to invest in education, athletics and community. The family said "Team MR8" will recruit runners committed to the foundation's mission.

The boy was one of three people killed at the April 15, 2013, marathon when two bombs exploded near the finish line. More than 260 people were injured.

Authorities say two brothers from Russia who had lived in Cambridge for about a decade planted the bombs. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial. His older brother, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, died following a shootout with police.

Martin's parents, Bill and Denise Richard, and his younger sister, Jane, were all hurt in the attack.

The family said Jane, who lost part of her left leg, is walking with a new prosthesis and playing basketball for her Catholic Youth Organization team. They said medical appointments still consume many hours of every week.

"We are often asked how we are doing. The short answer is we are continuing to heal and doing our best to live our lives," they wrote.

"We miss Martin deeply - more than words on paper could possibly describe. We persevere, trying to live as normal a life as possible for our sake and for the sake of our children."

Cox Media Group