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London Marathon: Silence marks start London Marathon: Runners and crowds mark Boston attack
(35 minutes later)
The start of the London Marathon has been marked by 30 seconds of silence in honour of the Boston bombings' victims. A 30-second silence has been held at the London Marathon 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 are expected to watch the race, which started 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 are expected to watch the race, which started 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.
Prince Harry, who is the patron of the London Marathon Charitable Trust, was in attendance.
He said it was "never an option" that he would not be at the race because of security fears following the Boston bombings.
"There were rumours here and there but everyone who was planning on coming is still here," he said. "The great thing about the marathon is that no matter what colour you are, no matter what religion, no matter what nationality you are, everyone comes together."
He said the way Boston had coped in the aftermath of the bombings was "absolutely remarkable".
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."
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".
"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, shadow chancellor Ed Balls, cricketer Andrew Strauss and McFly's Harry Judd are also running.
Race director Hugh Brasher said that "a full security review took place and everyone was adamant that the show must go on".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".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.
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.
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.
She continued running but was off the pace and her race was won by Kenyan Priscah Jeptoo.
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.
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.
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 Ethiopia's Tsegaye Kebede in a time of 2:06:03.The men's race was won by Ethiopia's Tsegaye Kebede in a time of 2:06:03.
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, in preparation for running the full race next year. 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.
Singer Katherine Jenkins, shadow chancellor Ed Balls, cricketer Andrew Strauss and McFly's Harry Judd are among the well-known names running.
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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