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London Marathon: Runners and crowds mark Boston attack | London Marathon: Runners and crowds mark Boston attack |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Tens of thousands of runners have taken part in the London Marathon, many with black ribbons on their vests in honour of the victims of the Boston bombings. | |
Thousands lined the streets to see the 36,000 runners set off from Blackheath, where a 30-second silence was held. | |
Three people were killed and more than 170 others injured by Monday's twin blasts, close to the finish line of the Boston Marathon in the US. | Three people were killed and more than 170 others injured by Monday's twin blasts, close to the finish line of the Boston Marathon in the US. |
Hundreds of extra police officers were drafted in as reassurance in London. | |
About half a million people were expected to watch the race, although official estimates have yet to be made. | About half a million people were expected to watch the race, although official estimates have yet to be made. |
Just before the start of the main race, event commentator Geoff Wightman introduced the half-minute silence. | Just before the start of the main race, event commentator Geoff Wightman introduced the half-minute silence. |
"Marathon running is a global sport," he said. | |
"It unites runners and supporters on every continent in pursuit of a common challenge and in the spirit of friendship and fellowship." | |
He said the marathon family had been "shocked and saddened" by the events in Boston and the silence was to show "our respect and support for the victims". | |
A senior US diplomat based in the UK said the commemoration underlined the "special relationship" between the two countries. | A senior US diplomat based in the UK said the commemoration underlined the "special relationship" between the two countries. |
Barbara Stephenson, Charge d'Affaires at the US Embassy, told Sky News: "We've had responses from Her Majesty the Queen, all through Twitter from the British people, and now we have got tens of thousands of London Marathon runners wearing a black ribbon in solidarity with the people of Boston. | Barbara Stephenson, Charge d'Affaires at the US Embassy, told Sky News: "We've had responses from Her Majesty the Queen, all through Twitter from the British people, and now we have got tens of thousands of London Marathon runners wearing a black ribbon in solidarity with the people of Boston. |
"As my senior law enforcement person said on Friday afternoon, it's moments like this when you know what the special relationship's really all about." | "As my senior law enforcement person said on Friday afternoon, it's moments like this when you know what the special relationship's really all about." |
The event appears to have passed off without incident. | |
Race director Hugh Brasher said before the race that a full security review had taken place and everyone had been adamant that the "show must go on". | |
The Metropolitan Police said it had reviewed security plans after the Boston attacks and that the extra officers would be used for "for reassurance patrols". | |
Australia's Kurt Fearnley was the first athlete to cross the line, winning the men's wheelchair race, with Great Britain's David Weir behind in fifth. | Australia's Kurt Fearnley was the first athlete to cross the line, winning the men's wheelchair race, with Great Britain's David Weir behind in fifth. |
Tatyana McFadden won the women's wheelchair race less than a week after winning the equivalent race in Boston. | Tatyana McFadden won the women's wheelchair race less than a week after winning the equivalent race in Boston. |
She said: "You know this whole weekend was dedicated to Boston and we got huge support from London. So, I couldn't be happier - just getting support. It was just a wonderful day." | She said: "You know this whole weekend was dedicated to Boston and we got huge support from London. So, I couldn't be happier - just getting support. It was just a wonderful day." |
In the women's elite race, there was controversy early on when 2010 wheelchair winner Josh Cassidy dropped out after a collision with Olympic champion runner Tiki Gelana. | In the women's elite race, there was controversy early on when 2010 wheelchair winner Josh Cassidy dropped out after a collision with Olympic champion runner Tiki Gelana. |
She continued running but was off the pace and her race was won by Kenyan Priscah Jeptoo in a time of 2:20:15. | She continued running but was off the pace and her race was won by Kenyan Priscah Jeptoo in a time of 2:20:15. |
The men's race was won by Ethiopian Tsegaye Kebede, who overtook 2011 champion Emmanuel Mutai in the closing stages, in a time of 2:06:04. | |
Mo Farah, who won the 5,000m and 10,000m at the 2012 London Olympics, ran only the first half of the 26.2-mile course. | Mo Farah, who won the 5,000m and 10,000m at the 2012 London Olympics, ran only the first half of the 26.2-mile course. |
Afterwards he praised the atmosphere of the crowd and said the experience was good practice ahead of him running the full race next year. | Afterwards he praised the atmosphere of the crowd and said the experience was good practice ahead of him running the full race next year. |
Singer Katherine Jenkins, cricketer Andrew Strauss and McFly's Harry Judd were among the well-known names running. | |
Among other runners taking part: | |
Prince Harry, who is the patron of the London Marathon Charitable Trust, gave the winners their medals. | Prince Harry, who is the patron of the London Marathon Charitable Trust, gave the winners their medals. |
He said it was "never an option" that he would not be at the race because of security fears following the Boston bombings. | He said it was "never an option" that he would not be at the race because of security fears following the Boston bombings. |
"The great thing about the marathon is no matter what colour you are, or religion, no matter what nationality you are, everyone comes together to run a certain distance to raise money for amazing causes. | |
"I think that you can never that take away from people." | |
Meanwhile, specialist US terrorism officers are waiting to question Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the surviving suspect in the twin bombings close to the finish line of the Boston Marathon. | Meanwhile, specialist US terrorism officers are waiting to question Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the surviving suspect in the twin bombings close to the finish line of the Boston Marathon. |
Mr Tsarnaev's older brother, Tamerlan, died after a shoot-out with police. | Mr Tsarnaev's older brother, Tamerlan, died after a shoot-out with police. |
Virgin London Marathon has pledged to donate £2 for every runner that finishes Sunday's event to The One Fund Boston set up to raise money for victims of the explosions. | Virgin London Marathon has pledged to donate £2 for every runner that finishes Sunday's event to The One Fund Boston set up to raise money for victims of the explosions. |
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