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London Marathon: Silence marks start London Marathon: Silence marks start
(35 minutes later)
The start of the London Marathon has been marked by 30 seconds of silence in honour of the Boston bombings' victims.The start of the London Marathon has been marked by 30 seconds of silence in honour of the Boston bombings' victims.
Thousands lined the streets to see the athletes set off from Blackheath, many wearing black ribbons on their vests.Thousands lined the streets to see the athletes set off from Blackheath, many wearing black ribbons on their vests.
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 - 40% more than last year - have been drafted in to reassure runners and spectators.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 watch the race, 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 watch the race, 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.
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.
"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."
Chef Michel Roux, who appears as a judge on the 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.
He said his response to the Boston bombings on Monday had been one of "shock and horror".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.
Race director Hugh Brasher said that, after Boston, "a full security review took place and everyone was adamant that the show must go on." Shadow chancellor Ed Balls, cricketer Andrew Strauss and McFly's Harry Judd are also running.
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". Race director Hugh Brasher said that "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 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.
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.
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. In the elite races, there was controversy early on when 2010 wheelchair winner Josh Cassidy dropped out after a collision with Olympic champion runner Tiki Gelana, who continued the race but very much off the pace.
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. Mo Farah, who won the 5,000m and 10,000m at the 2012 London Olympics, is running just the first half of the 26.2-mile course, in preparation for running the full race next year.
He, said he is "hurt" by accusations that he is only taking part because of a reported six-figure appearance fee.
"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."
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.
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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