London Marathon reviews security after Boston bombings MyZA

Security for this Sunday’s London Marathon will be reviewed after two fatal explosions hit the Boston Marathon in the United States, British police have said.

At least three people were killed and more than 100 injured by the blasts near the finish of Monday’s US event.

The Metropolitan Police said a security plan was in place for London’s race but “we will be reviewing this”.

London Marathon chief executive Nick Bitel said organisers would “definitely not be cancelling” the event.

Organisers of the London Marathon moved quickly to announce a full review of security following the tragic events in Boston.

But chief executive Bitel insisted there was “absolutely no chance” that this year’s marathon would be cancelled.

While that comment, delivered on BBC Radio 5 Live just a couple of hours after news broke of the two simultaneous explosions, may have felt a bit knee jerk the defiant sentiment was right.

A total of 36 000 runners including the double Olympic champion Mo Farah are due to take part in the race from Greenwich Park to the Mall.

But, as with so many big city marathons, London’s is a joyous celebration of all talents, not just the elite. This is what makes it one of the highlights of the British sporting calendar.

The peaceful triumph of last summer’s Olympic Games in London had reduced security concerns around this year’s event. But protecting a 26-mile course which is completely open to hundreds of thousands of spectators is always a major challenge for the Metropolitan Police and organisers.

The dreadful and terrifying images emerging from America overnight have ensured that the question of terrorism will now hang heavy over Sunday’s event.

What happened in Boston provides another chilling reminder of how vulnerable sport can be. – BBC