I just wanted to touch briefly on the tragic bombings at the Boston Marathon. I heard about it maybe 10 minutes after it had happened when someone posted on Facebook a link to the BBC website. We quickly switched on the news and saw the terrible scenes. Finding this quite difficult to write as it is very upsetting and not sure I can do this justice. Cannot believe that there are people out there who can do such a thing. A day meant for triumph, job and celebration of both Patriot's Day and the world's most prestigious marathon turned in seconds to a day of horror and terror.
It goes without saying that we are praying for everyone in Boston especially the friends and family of those killed and seriously injured. It will leave a shadow forever on the great sport of running and for the city as well. But how amazed I was to read the stories of bravery and heroics with people coming to help those injured! Runners immediately going to aid those who were injured and the emergency services working flat out for hours and into the night. Even those who were exhausted and fatigued going to the hospitals to donate blood! I was also reminded of when the storms hit New York last year and runners who were told their race was cancelled immediately asked what they could do to help, and started to help clear the areas.
My heart goes out to that little boy's family and the families of the others who were killed.
I can't imagine the disbelief of runners and spectators who were not yet at the finish line , only to be told the race was over and there was no finish, and then finding out why this was so and what happened.
Marathons and big races like this are those amazing times when complete strangers come together to cheer on and support other complete strangers, but this week this went to a level no'one could have imagined.
So what of London? How overwhelmed I am to see how Britain promises to show such solidarity with Boston on Sunday! The race will have a very different vibe this year, it may in the shadow of the memory of Monday's blasts but we will not be over-shadowed by the events or the people that did this. We won't give up or pull out! Everyone wants to let these people know that we will not be scared or terrorised and we will certainly not be abandoning the plans for Sunday!! We want the race to be a tribute to the Boston Marathon.
So on Sunday, many of us will be running not only for our favourite charities, or chasing a new PB or just a personal challenge, but I am certain every runner will run for an extra reason, another side of the race, so will have in their hearts a message of hope or prayer for Boston. There will be a 30 second silence before the start, and many of us will wear black ribbons to show our support. I believe many will try and cross the finish line with their hand over their heart. I will try and find a way to write a short message somewhere on my running vest as this is not just about London, but the whole of the running community and one city supporting another.
Also I am thinking of the poor young chap who died during the Brighton Marathon last Sunday. It may not have hit the news quite as much but it will still rip a hole through his family as well.
We pray all goes well on Sunday for London and that the organisers and police are able to able to keep the race safe and as secure as possible.
Link to BBC website - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22168556
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