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This is for Boston': Winner of London Marathon dedicates win in wheelchair race



The winner of the Boston Marathon wheelchair race has dedicated her victory in today's London Marathon to the people of the city.


Tatyana McFadden won the Boston Marathon six days ago and was back in her hotel in the city when the two bombs near the finish line exploded killing three people and injuring over 170 more.

Wearing a black ribbon on her tracksuit top, American Ms McFadden said: 'The race is definitely dedicated to Boston and we had huge support from London which was amazing.


'I think that support definitely carried athletes through the entire race which was phenomenal and even London donating £2 for every finisher to Boston.

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Tatyana McFadden, winner of the Boston Marathon, has dedicated her victory in today's London Marathon to the people of the city





She won the Boston Marathon six days ago and was back in her hotel in the city when the two bombs near the finish line exploded killing three people and injuring over 170 more





Wearing a black ribbon on her tracksuit top, American Ms McFadden said: 'The race is definitely dedicated to Boston and we had huge support from London which was amazing'



Capital weather: Spectators enjoy the sunshine and watch as runners cross Tower Bridge in the 33rd London Marathon





And they're off: The 36,000 runners get underway this morning. The Metropolitan Police drafted in extra officers after the Boston attacks



Carnival atmosphere: Crowds turned out in their thousands to support the runners

'Just the support that we're getting around the world means a lot especially back in Boston and to the athletes.'

Undaunted by the bombings but amid increased security, the crowds were out in force enjoying the sun and the spectacle of 36,000 runners, many in fancy dress, taking on the 42.195-km course.

A 30-second silence was held before the start of the elite men's and mass race to honour the victims of Boston.

Competitors were provided with black ribbons to wear on their racing kit in memory of the Boston victims and London Marathon organisers were donating two pounds per finisher to the One Fund Boston set up to raise money for the victims.


They hoped to raise at least £70,000 pounds.

Ethiopian Tsegeye Kebede took victory in the Men's Elite in 2:06:03. Kenyan Emmanuel Mutai came through second thirty seconds after, with Kebede's fellow Ethiopian Ayele Abshero in third.


Geoff Wightman, the event commentator, announced over loudspeakers before the half-minute silence: 'Marathon running is a global sport. It unites runners and supporters on every continent in pursuit of a common challenge and in the spirit of friendship and fellowship.

'This week the world marathon family was shocked and saddened by the events at the Boston Marathon.

'In a few moments a whistle will sound and we will join together in silence to remember our friends and colleagues for whom a day of joy turned into a day of sadness.

'Let us now show our respect and support for the victims of the tragedy in Boston.'



Victor: Tsegaye Kebede of Ethiopia poses for the cameras after winning the Men's Elite section






Britain's Mo Farah does the crowd-pleasing 'Mobot' (left) as he prepares to start and (right) setting off with the Men's Elite

The silence appeared to be perfectly observed. The weather was also ideal, with sunshine followed by some cloud in the early afternoon and temperatures peaking at around 13C.

Notable competitors include last year's Elite Women's champion, Ethiopian Tiki Gelana, and UK Paralympic six-time gold medal winner David 'The Weirwolf' Weir. As a six-time London Marathon wheelchair winner, a victory today would have made him the most successful athlete in the competition, but he came in fifth place, with Australia's Kurt Fearnley the winner.

There was early drama after Gelana collided with a wheelchair at a drinks station and fell, but race fans breathed a sigh of relief as she was soon back up and running. However, she later struggled as the race unfolded. Kenya's Priscah Jeptoo went on to win the women's race.

As usual the route was filled with runners in all kinds of fancy dress, including people dressed as a Roman soldier, Batman and Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean.


Prime Minister David Cameron wrote on Twitter: 'Congratulations to the inspiring runners in the #LondonMarathon - a fantastic showcase for the city.'





Runaway bride: Runner James Carvel and crossed the finish line and promptly proposed to girlfriend Lorraine Humphries. Both were running for Great Ormond Street




Running rings: Lorraine was overwhelmed when James dropped to one knee in front of hundreds of other delighted runners



Road runner: A competitor runs wearing an Emu costume








FA Cup run: A competitor dressed as one of football's most iconic trophies (left) and a runner dressed as a Smurf (right)






Superhuman: Runners dressed as Batman (left) and Spider-Man (right)



Support: A faltering runner in the London Marathon is helped towards the finish line by fellow competitors






Drench: Runners find ways to cool off in the glorious spring sunshine


Prince Harry spoke of his admiration for both the runners and those who offered their support. He said: 'It's fantastic, it's typically British. People have been saying they haven't seen crowds like this for eight years.

'The way Boston has dealt with it is remarkable and the great thing about the marathon is that no matter what colour, religion or nationality you are, everyone comes together to run and raise money for amazing causes. You can never take that away from people.

'It was never an option not to be here no one has changed any plans it has been really well run as it always is.'

The royal added the marathon raises millions of pounds for the charities that he and other members of the Royal Family are patrons of.

'It's a great opportunity for people from all walks of life to come along and raise money for their own personal charities, small or big,' he said.

'For us we're very lucky, we get a huge amount of places given to us by the marathon for all of our charities - my sister-in-law and William as well.

'We're hugely fortunate for what the marathon does for us. We're immensely grateful to them so I will continue to show my support where I can.'

The Prince also spoke of the recent announcement that he will take part in a race to the South Pole with a team of wounded British servicemen and women later this year.


Podium: (Left to right) Prince Harry, women's winner Priscah Jeptoo, men's winner Tsegaye Kebede and Sir Richard Branson



Royal presence: Prince Harry meets helpers at the finish line. He praised both runners and supporters for making a success of the event






The Prince said: 'It's fantastic, it's typically British. People have been saying they haven't seen crowds like this for eight years'



Brush with royalty: Delighted bystanders are greeted by the Prince



Military: Prince Harry passes a soldier in a bearskin hat at the finish line



Prize: The Prince presents Kurt Fearnley, winner of the Men's Wheelchair race, with his trophy

'Walking with the Wounded is something that I've been involved with for some time now,' he said. 'It's an amazing opportunity.

'The only reason that I've signed up myself for this is well, firstly, because I only managed to do four days last time. I got dragged back, which was a horrible thing to do.

'But any way that I can support these guys I will, if that means walking 280 miles or whatever it is - no one told me that when I signed up for it - now I know it's a hell of a long way and I'll do my bit, get fed enough because I don't want to hold the guys back.

'It's going to be a fantastic race and a wonderful cause to raise awareness for all these remarkable people around the world that are having to continue their lies with injuries, whether they be mental or physical.'


Shadow chancellor Ed Balls revealed he had an unlikely sponsor for his London Marathon effort - bitter political rival George Osborne.

The Chancellor donated £25 to each of Mr Balls's chosen charities, Action for Stammering Children and Whizz-Kidz.

Mr Balls, who said he feared 'flatlining' like the economy during the race, completed the course in five hours and 14 minutes.

He told Sky News the economy had been 'flatlining for two years', and joked: 'I have to say my biggest concern today was I'd be flatlining before I got all the way round.

'But he added: "'The good thing is George Osborne, the Chancellor, who I have often disagreed with on many things, he sponsored me for my run today so thanks George for that.'

He also said it was important to show that Britain would 'carry on regardless' despite the Boston bombing.

He told LBC 97.3 that his wife, shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper, thinks he is 'completely mad' for running a second time, despite insisting 'never again' after last year's race.

WE ARE NOT AFRAID: MARATHON RUNNERS AND CROWDS SHOW DEFIANCE AND BRAVERY AMID TERRORISM FEARS



Most runners in London said they weren't worried by the Boston bombings, and the impressive turnout of enthusiastic fans lining the routes showed the same spirit.

David Wilson, 45, said there was no question of canceling the marathon. He noted that Londoners had come back onto the streets the day after the lethal July 7, 2005, transit system bombings and weren't easily cowed.

'You can't not do anything, because otherwise you'd stay on the outs all the time,' he said.


But Chris Denton, a 44-year-old engineer stretching his legs by the start line, acknowledged an undercurrent of anxiety. He'd asked that his family not come out to support him because of a possible copycat attack. 'I left them at home,' he said. 'If only for my peace of mind.'

Among the participants in London was Tomasz Hamerlak of Poland, who finished fourth in the men's wheelchair race and had competed in Boston last week. He said he was determined to race in London.

'It is terrible what happened in Boston, but we can't look back, we must look forward," an out-of-breath Hamerlak told The Associated Press moments after crossing the finish line. 'The show must go on,' he said.


Shirley Gillard, a 63-year-old retiree sitting on a bench at the edge of the starting area, seemed pleased with her decision to come out and watch the race. She described herself as the type of person who was always worried when spotting an unattended bag on public transport, but said people shouldn't change their habits because of what happened in Boston.

'That would be letting them win, the terrorists and lunatics,' she said.


Mo Farah (centre) ran just under half of the course, claiming training concerns prohibit him from competing





Tribute: Mo Farah reacts during the silent tribute

Katherine Jenkins, the Welsh singer, said she was running in memory of her father and to show solidarity to people affected by the bombings in the US.


'Like everyone else, it was just so devastating to see that on the news," she said.

'But I think we all feel more than ever that we want to do this and show our support for Boston.'

The 32-year-old said she has raised over £22,000 for cancer care charity Macmillan Cancer Support. She said: 'My father passed away from cancer when I was 15 and the Macmillan nurses came and they were wonderful.'

She added: 'I really don't think of myself as an athletic person at all. I never in a million years thought I would do this.'

The day will be especially memorable for one runner who crossed the line with her partner, only for him to drop to one knee and proposed. The couple, James Carvel and Lorraine Humphries, were both were running for Great Ormond Street and judging from the joyful reaction in the pictures, she said yes.


Respect: Runners stand in a silent tribute to the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings before the start of the London Marathon from Greenwich Park earlier today



Geoff Wightman, the event commentator, announced over loudspeakers before the half-minute silence: 'We will join together in silence to remember our friends and colleagues for whom a day of joy turned into a day of sadness'





A total of 24 of the wheelchair racers in the London Marathon were also competing in Boston on Monday - including Ms McFadden, who was in her hotel room after winning the women's race when the two bombs went off on the finish line.

She told the BBC: 'I'll be carrying them in my heart as I am running through the course in London.

'It's important as an elite runner with a disability to be a role model for those who are newly injured and it's important for me to be an advocate for those.




'I've lived with many challenges in my life, every single day and so I know something of what it's like.'


As well as observing the 30-second silence before the start of the men's elite race and mass start, the runners are also wearing black ribbons to show their respect.

Virgin London Marathon has also pledged to donate £2 for every finisher in today's event to The One Fund Boston set up to raise money for victims of the explosions.

Meanwhile, Mo Farah's preparation for the London Marathon did not go quite as well as he might have hoped this morning, after the London 2012 double champion overslept.



Winner: Priscah Jeptoo of Kenya crosses the finish line to win the Women's Elite section






Kenya's Priscah Jeptoo (left) prays after her win. The Men's Wheelchair Elite (right) approach the finish line




Accolade: Participant medals await the finishers in today's event






Tribute: A member of staff wears a black ribbon in memory of Boston Marathon bombings. Right, a girl poses for a snapshot with a police officer


The 30-year-old Londoner - who ran just under half of today's race - revealed he was running late live on the radio.

He shouted to a waiting BBC presenter: 'Radio 5, gotta go! Gotta run, run, run, run!'

Asked how he was feeling, he said as he ran down the street: 'Yeah, feeling good.' And has he warmed up? 'Not yet!' he replied.

'I'm late! I woke up late! I'm going to miss the bus!' he laughed.

The Olympic 5,000m and 10,000m champion added: 'It should be good weather as well, so I'm quite excited.'

The build-up to Farah's participation in this year's London Marathon has been shrouded in controversy as he will be paid a reported £425,000 for taking part in the 2013 and 2014 events.






Singer Katherine Jenkins, who ran in memory of her father, and Paralympian Richard Whitehead






Tired but happy: Opera singer Katherine Jenkins and Ed Balls MP cross the finish line




Sporting icon: Mo Farah greets excited fans after he pulled out of the London Marathon

There has been talk of murky motives and money-grabbing, with critics of his plan to run to halfway, as practice for making his full 26.2 mile debut next year, accusing him of cashing in on his status and going against the spirit of the mass-participation event.


He later said he was training for the World Championships this year and was not prepared for a 26 mile race. he added: 'I'm not there to destroy the race, I'm just there to learn. Next year I will do the full marathon.'

After the race he spoke of how he found the distance, and admitted: 'I think the biggest challenge really is picking up the right drinks - I think I made a mess up.'


Paralympic champion David Weir failed to recreate the magic that saw him take four gold medals at the 2012 Olympics in today's London Marathon.
The 33-year-old was disappointed with his fifth place, but the Londoner said he gave it his best shot.

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