London marathoners had Boston on their minds

Security concerns did not stop the London Marathon on Sunday, as a reported 35,000 participants ran through the streets of the city, cheered on by a tens of thousands of spectators.

But the specter of last week’s Boston Marathon bombing, in which three people died and scores were injured, weighed heavily on the race.

Many of the London runners wore black ribbons and armbands. Organizers asked for a moment of silence at the starting line.

“This whole weekend was dedicated to Boston, and we got huge support from London,” wheelchair racer Tatyana McFadden told the Guardian. The American racer won her event in Boston and followed up with another victory in London.

Security personnel was increased by 40% in the days leading up to the race and authorities promised to boost surveillance along the route.

Tsegaye Kebede of Ethiopia captured the men’s race and Priscah Jeptoo of Kenya was the women’s champion.

Prince Harry, who presented awards afterward, said that skipping the marathon was “never an option.”

“It was never going to get anyone down here,” he told the BBC. “Everyone comes together.”

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