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London Marathon: Extra police on duty London Marathon: Runners set off
(35 minutes later)
Hundreds of extra police officers will be on duty at the London Marathon later in a bid to reassure runners and spectators after the Boston bombings. The London Marathon is under way, with runners wearing black ribbons to remember the Boston bombings' victims.
Organisers say there is no known threat to the race, which begins at 09:00 BST when the elite women set off. Amid an increased police presence, thousands lined the streets to see the elite women set off from Blackheath.
An hour later, a 30-second silence will be held at the start of the mass race, for the three people killed and 170 injured at the Boston Marathon. A 30-second silence will be held at 09:57 BST, before the start of the mass race, for those killed and injured in two blasts in Monday's Boston race.
Many of the 35,000 runners are expected to wear black ribbons. Hundreds of extra police officers - 40% more than last year - have been drafted in to reassure runners and spectators.
About half a million people will line the streets of the route, which starts at Blackheath in south-east London and finishes near Buckingham Palace, passing some of the city's most recognisable landmarks, including Tower Bridge and Big Ben.About half a million people will line the streets of the route, which starts at Blackheath in south-east London and finishes near Buckingham Palace, passing some of the city's most recognisable landmarks, including Tower Bridge and Big Ben.
Chef Michel Roux, who appears as a judge on BBC's MasterChef, is one a number of celebrities taking part. Chef Michel Roux, who appears as a judge on the BBC's MasterChef, is one a number of celebrities taking part.
Two hours before the start of his race, his 19th marathon, he said his response to the Boston bombings on Monday had been one of "shock and horror".Two hours before the start of his race, his 19th marathon, he said his response to the Boston bombings on Monday had been one of "shock and horror".
"I immediately thought of the families of all those who perished. It was just atrocious. But my reaction after that was London. We're going to do it and we're going to do it for them.""I immediately thought of the families of all those who perished. It was just atrocious. But my reaction after that was London. We're going to do it and we're going to do it for them."
Singer Katherine Jenkins said she was running her first marathon to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, in memory of her father who died when she was 15.Singer Katherine Jenkins said she was running her first marathon to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, in memory of her father who died when she was 15.
BBC newsreaders Sian Williams and Sophie Raworth are also running, and former Strictly Come Dancing champion Harry Judd of pop band McFly.BBC newsreaders Sian Williams and Sophie Raworth are also running, and former Strictly Come Dancing champion Harry Judd of pop band McFly.
Race director Hugh Brasher said that, after Boston, "a full security review took place and everyone was adamant that the show must go on."Race director Hugh Brasher said that, after Boston, "a full security review took place and everyone was adamant that the show must go on."
The Metropolitan Police said that it had reviewed security plans after the Boston Marathon attacks and that the extra officers - 40% more than last year - would be used for "for reassurance patrols".The Metropolitan Police said that it had reviewed security plans after the Boston Marathon attacks and that the extra officers - 40% more than last year - would be used for "for reassurance patrols".
Ch Supt Julia Pendry, who has headed marathon security for five years, has said this year's police operation is "about making sure that people who come to London on Sunday feel safe when they are in the city".Ch Supt Julia Pendry, who has headed marathon security for five years, has said this year's police operation is "about making sure that people who come to London on Sunday feel safe when they are in the city".
She said more search dogs would be deployed and urged marathon spectators to keep their belongings with them to avoid sparking security alerts.She said more search dogs would be deployed and urged marathon spectators to keep their belongings with them to avoid sparking security alerts.
But she added: "There is no link between the Boston Marathon and the London Marathon and there is no change to the threat level at this time to London."But she added: "There is no link between the Boston Marathon and the London Marathon and there is no change to the threat level at this time to London."
Extra security has been in put in place around the bags of the runners, with 34 lorries taking the rucksacks of the thousands of runners from the start in Blackheath to the finish on the Mall near Buckingham Palace.Extra security has been in put in place around the bags of the runners, with 34 lorries taking the rucksacks of the thousands of runners from the start in Blackheath to the finish on the Mall near Buckingham Palace.
The bombs which went off in Boston are believed to have been placed in rucksacks placed on the route.The bombs which went off in Boston are believed to have been placed in rucksacks placed on the route.
'Brilliant day'
Marathon chief executive Nick Bitel said messages of reassurance about security had been "well received".
Mr Bitel said the race organisers were happy with how the build-up to the race had gone.
"In terms of our preparations, it's all gone well, obviously there were some additional security issues following Boston, but that seems to be bedding down and the message of reassurance to runners has been very well received," he said.
He said he was looking forward to "a brilliant day" with a "fantastic looking line-up of stars running the race".
Athletes taking part include British Olympic double gold winner Mo Farah, who has said he is "hurt" by accusations that he is only taking part because of a reported six-figure appearance fee.Athletes taking part include British Olympic double gold winner Mo Farah, who has said he is "hurt" by accusations that he is only taking part because of a reported six-figure appearance fee.
Farah, who won the 5,000m and 10,000m at the 2012 London Olympics, intends to run just half of the 26.2-mile course on Sunday in preparation for running the full race next year.Farah, who won the 5,000m and 10,000m at the 2012 London Olympics, intends to run just half of the 26.2-mile course on Sunday in preparation for running the full race next year.
"I'm here to learn about the course, so that next year I'm ready to go," he said."I'm here to learn about the course, so that next year I'm ready to go," he said.
"It's a no-brainer when you think about it.""It's a no-brainer when you think about it."
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.
The 19-year-old is under armed guard in hospital after he was found seriously injured and hiding in a boat in a backyard, shortly after a Boston-wide lockdown was ended.
He is said to be stable but not yet able to communicate.
The BBC's David Willis, outside the hospital, said he suffered gunshot wounds to the neck and leg and had lost a lot of blood, so it could be a while before investigators were able to talk to him.
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.
The race organisers expect the total donation to be at least £70,000.The race organisers expect the total donation to be at least £70,000.
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