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| London reclaims marathon spirit with Boston tribute | London reclaims marathon spirit with Boston tribute |
| (5 months later) | |
| Defiant runners and supporters claimed back much of the marathon spirit on Sunday as around 36,000 people pounded London's streets cheered on by an estimated crowd of half a million. | Defiant runners and supporters claimed back much of the marathon spirit on Sunday as around 36,000 people pounded London's streets cheered on by an estimated crowd of half a million. |
| Black ribbons, worn by many, and a 30-second silence at the start, acknowledged the Boston bombing which, six days ago, claimed the lives of three and injured up to 180. | Black ribbons, worn by many, and a 30-second silence at the start, acknowledged the Boston bombing which, six days ago, claimed the lives of three and injured up to 180. |
| On a gloriously sunny Sunday competitors and spectators refused to allow the atrocity to redefine a sporting event which so embodies indomitable human spirit, benevolence and endeavour. | On a gloriously sunny Sunday competitors and spectators refused to allow the atrocity to redefine a sporting event which so embodies indomitable human spirit, benevolence and endeavour. |
| This was the first major international marathan since the double bomb attack on the finish line at Boston. | This was the first major international marathan since the double bomb attack on the finish line at Boston. |
| Many thoughts were for those for whom event commentator Geoff Wightman described, when announcing the half-minute silence over loudspeakers, "a day of joy turned into a day of sadness" . | Many thoughts were for those for whom event commentator Geoff Wightman described, when announcing the half-minute silence over loudspeakers, "a day of joy turned into a day of sadness" . |
| Tatyana McFadden, the Russian-born US Paralympian, won the women's wheelchair race and also won it in Boston. "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. | Tatyana McFadden, the Russian-born US Paralympian, won the women's wheelchair race and also won it in Boston. "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. |
| Among the tributes Sean Boyle, 37, from Blackburn stood out, with dyed blue and yellow mohawk and the word "Boston" written in black ink over his red face paint. Martin Connell, 42, an IT worker from Merseyside, wore a picture on his vest of eight-year-old Boston victim Martin Richard. | Among the tributes Sean Boyle, 37, from Blackburn stood out, with dyed blue and yellow mohawk and the word "Boston" written in black ink over his red face paint. Martin Connell, 42, an IT worker from Merseyside, wore a picture on his vest of eight-year-old Boston victim Martin Richard. |
| Surgeon Bill Speake, 42, from Derby, said as he crossed the finish in two hours 45 minutes: "It was particularly poignant at the start, standing there at Blackheath in complete silence. It was the right thing to do. It should have been done, and it was done. When it [the bombing] happened, you had a little shock to begin with. But there was no question of not running. I think it spurred people on even more." | Surgeon Bill Speake, 42, from Derby, said as he crossed the finish in two hours 45 minutes: "It was particularly poignant at the start, standing there at Blackheath in complete silence. It was the right thing to do. It should have been done, and it was done. When it [the bombing] happened, you had a little shock to begin with. But there was no question of not running. I think it spurred people on even more." |
| Marathons were always a potential target, he added: "But you didn't ever think it would happen." | Marathons were always a potential target, he added: "But you didn't ever think it would happen." |
| Debbie Appleton, 41, a part-time admin assistant from Chelmsford, Essex was cheered on by her husband and two young daughters, aged two and six. | Debbie Appleton, 41, a part-time admin assistant from Chelmsford, Essex was cheered on by her husband and two young daughters, aged two and six. |
| "Nothing was going to stop them coming," she said, after finishing in around two hours 48 minutes. "I think people just wanted to go out there today and prove that nothing was going to deter us. The 30 seconds' silence at the beginning was very moving." | "Nothing was going to stop them coming," she said, after finishing in around two hours 48 minutes. "I think people just wanted to go out there today and prove that nothing was going to deter us. The 30 seconds' silence at the beginning was very moving." |
| The tributes were everywhere, from black ribbons to black armbands. Security was intense, with a 40% increase in planned police presence. Marathon staff, officials and medical staff underwent thorough bag searches before being allowed access to the finish line. | The tributes were everywhere, from black ribbons to black armbands. Security was intense, with a 40% increase in planned police presence. Marathon staff, officials and medical staff underwent thorough bag searches before being allowed access to the finish line. |
| Virgin London Marathon pledged to donate £2 for every finisher to the One Fund Boston, set up to raise money for the victims of the explosions. | Virgin London Marathon pledged to donate £2 for every finisher to the One Fund Boston, set up to raise money for the victims of the explosions. |
| The show of respect by the London runners served to underline the close ties between Britain and America, said Barbara Stephenson, charge d'affaires at the US embassy in London. "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." | The show of respect by the London runners served to underline the close ties between Britain and America, said Barbara Stephenson, charge d'affaires at the US embassy in London. "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." |
| She added: "It's moments like this when you know what the special relationship's really all about." | She added: "It's moments like this when you know what the special relationship's really all about." |
| Shadow chancellor, Ed Balls, running his second London marathon, said it was important to show that Britain would "carry on regardless" despite the Boston bombing. Balls, who completed in five hours and 14 minutes, revealed he had been sponsored by his despatch box foe, George Osborne, who had donated £25 each to the shadow chancellor's charities, Stammering Children and Whizz-Kidz. | Shadow chancellor, Ed Balls, running his second London marathon, said it was important to show that Britain would "carry on regardless" despite the Boston bombing. Balls, who completed in five hours and 14 minutes, revealed he had been sponsored by his despatch box foe, George Osborne, who had donated £25 each to the shadow chancellor's charities, Stammering Children and Whizz-Kidz. |
| Running in "my first and only" marathon, Kate McCann, whose daughter Madeleine was abducted in Portugal, was running for the charity Missing People, cheered on by her husband Gerry and twins, aged eight. "It's a glorious day," she said. "But, of course, we all remembered Boston. There was absolute silence at the start. It was very moving. Everyone here supported Boston. There was a very strong feeling that people won't be dictated to by other people who want to do such a terrible thing." | Running in "my first and only" marathon, Kate McCann, whose daughter Madeleine was abducted in Portugal, was running for the charity Missing People, cheered on by her husband Gerry and twins, aged eight. "It's a glorious day," she said. "But, of course, we all remembered Boston. There was absolute silence at the start. It was very moving. Everyone here supported Boston. There was a very strong feeling that people won't be dictated to by other people who want to do such a terrible thing." |
| Prince Harry, who was making the presentation for the event, said cancelling his appearance "was never an option". Paying tribute to the "remarkable way Boston's people had dealt with the atrocity, he said London's response and the huge crowds were "fantastic" and typically British. | Prince Harry, who was making the presentation for the event, said cancelling his appearance "was never an option". Paying tribute to the "remarkable way Boston's people had dealt with the atrocity, he said London's response and the huge crowds were "fantastic" and typically British. |
| "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 take that away from people." | "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 take that away from people." |
| Olympic 5,000m and 10,000m gold medallist Mo Farah, who ran only half the course in preparation for competing in next year's marathon for a reported combined fee of £425,000, described the atmosphere as "incredible". | Olympic 5,000m and 10,000m gold medallist Mo Farah, who ran only half the course in preparation for competing in next year's marathon for a reported combined fee of £425,000, described the atmosphere as "incredible". |
| "I didn't think there was going to be as many people as today," added Farah. He admitted oversleeping, and had to make a sprint to get to the start line on time. | "I didn't think there was going to be as many people as today," added Farah. He admitted oversleeping, and had to make a sprint to get to the start line on time. |
| Ethiopia's Tsegaye Kebede won the men's race in two hours, six minutes and four seconds. Kenyan Priscah Jeptoo won the women's race, crossing the line in two hours, 20 minutes and 15 seconds. | Ethiopia's Tsegaye Kebede won the men's race in two hours, six minutes and four seconds. Kenyan Priscah Jeptoo won the women's race, crossing the line in two hours, 20 minutes and 15 seconds. |
| Paralympian David Weir, who took four golds at London 2012 and is a six-time London marathon champion, was disappointed with his fifth place but would "bounce back". | Paralympian David Weir, who took four golds at London 2012 and is a six-time London marathon champion, was disappointed with his fifth place but would "bounce back". |
| He added: "People were out in force and weren't scare of what happened on Monday [in Boston]. That shows you the true spirit of the British public." More than 5,000 runners and spectators were treated by St John's Ambulance volunteers, mostly for cramp, sprains, exhaustion and vomiting. | He added: "People were out in force and weren't scare of what happened on Monday [in Boston]. That shows you the true spirit of the British public." More than 5,000 runners and spectators were treated by St John's Ambulance volunteers, mostly for cramp, sprains, exhaustion and vomiting. |
| More than 40 competitors were taken to hospital suffering from more serious conditions including exercise associated collapse and suspected fractures. | More than 40 competitors were taken to hospital suffering from more serious conditions including exercise associated collapse and suspected fractures. |
| The casualty figure was slightly higher than last year because the early part of the race saw warmer weather. | The casualty figure was slightly higher than last year because the early part of the race saw warmer weather. |
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