Running and education were two constants in Jeremy Herbstritt's life.

An accomplished distance runner, Herbstritt, 27, completed a number of marathons in his home state of Pennsylvania, including a 3:48:07 at the 2005 Steamtown Marathon. He also competed in many smaller events in the area near his hometown of Bellefonte, which is just north of State College, where Herbstritt earned two undergraduate degrees.

Herbstritt's parents were in Boston on Monday to watch Jeremy's 25-year-old sister, Jennifer, record a 3:59:07 in the Boston Marathon. Jeremy and Jennifer both completed the Steamtown Marathon in 2005 and the Pocono Marathon in 2006.

Dale Moore, a police officer and family friend, sat parked in front of the Herbstritts' Bellefonte home Tuesday. Moore said the family had asked him to watch over the home and their teenage son until they are able to return from Virginia.

Jeremy Herbstritt, a graduate student in civil engineering, wanted to go into environmental work, Moore said.

"He's been working in college to get his career going," he said.

-- Joe Macenka