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Boston marathon honours bomb victims Boston marathon honours bomb victims
(35 minutes later)
Competitors at the Boston marathon held a moment of silence ahead of the start of the race to honour those killed and injured in a bomb attack last year.Competitors at the Boston marathon held a moment of silence ahead of the start of the race to honour those killed and injured in a bomb attack last year.
Some 36,000 are taking part in the race, 9,000 more than normal, and 500,000 are expected to watch.Some 36,000 are taking part in the race, 9,000 more than normal, and 500,000 are expected to watch.
Officials have mounted a huge security operation that includes a ban on rucksacks and screening at checkpoints.Officials have mounted a huge security operation that includes a ban on rucksacks and screening at checkpoints.
In last year's race two bombs exploded near the finish line, killing three people and wounding more than 260.In last year's race two bombs exploded near the finish line, killing three people and wounding more than 260.
The BBC's Nick Bryant in Boston says that never before has the marathon been run amid so many layers of security.The BBC's Nick Bryant in Boston says that never before has the marathon been run amid so many layers of security.
'Very safe''Very safe'
Protecting the 26.2-mile (42.2km) route has involved a massive mobilisation of law enforcement agencies, including police units, bomb squads and Swat teams from other states.Protecting the 26.2-mile (42.2km) route has involved a massive mobilisation of law enforcement agencies, including police units, bomb squads and Swat teams from other states.
The Boston police department has erected 8,000 steel barricades, 1,200 more than last year.The Boston police department has erected 8,000 steel barricades, 1,200 more than last year.
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick told CBS television on Sunday that the added security measures would assure a "very safe" atmosphere. Before the race, runner Katie O'Donnell, who competed in last year's race, said she could not imagine the range of emotions she would feel this year.
Runners and their families posed at the finish line on Sunday, determined to take part in the event. "I think I'm going to start crying at the starting line and I'm not sure I'll stop until I cross the finish line," she said.
Canadian runner Mark Rush told Reuters: "The bad guys aren't gonna take this race away from us and all the people that get involved in it. It's good to be back doing it again."
British participant Mark Hazelhurst said: "I think everybody wants to come to run and to celebrate running and celebrate the city here. I think that's a real difference from last year."
Many people in the city have been wearing "Boston Strong" T-shirts.Many people in the city have been wearing "Boston Strong" T-shirts.
Last year's winner, Lelisa Desisa, returns to compete again. He has met several victims of the blast, calling them "an inspiration". Last year's winner of the men's elite race, Ethiopian Lelisa Desisa, is competing again and has met several victims of the blast.
US runner Shalane Flanagan, who was the fourth fastest woman at the event last year and is aiming to win this year, said she was "excited to get back out there and show our strength and resiliency". He said the victims had given him inspiration: "We have to look to the future. There has to be a resilience. I am ready to win again."
Athletes with disabilities were the first competitors to set off, at 08:50 (12:50 GMT) . Athletes with disabilities were the first competitors to set off, at 08:50 (12:50 GMT).
The elite women's race starts at 09:32, with the elite men setting off half an hour later, followed by thousands of other runners. The elite women's race started at 09:32, with the elite men setting off half an hour later, followed by thousands of other runners.
Bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 20, is due to stand trial in November. He has pleaded not guilty to 30 charges, including 17 that carry the death penalty.Bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 20, is due to stand trial in November. He has pleaded not guilty to 30 charges, including 17 that carry the death penalty.
Prosecutors allege that he set off two pressure cooker bombs with his older brother Tamerlan, 26, who later died in a police shoot-out. Prosecutors allege that he set off two pressure cooker bombs with his older brother Tamerlan, 26, who later died in a police shootout.