London Marathon Offers Moment of Silence for Boston

A defiant, festive mood prevailed today at the London Marathon despite concerns raised by the bomb attacks on the Boston Marathon six days ago. Thousands of runners offered tributes to those killed and injured in Boston on a glorious spring day in London. The race, the first major international marathon since the Boston attacks, began after a moment of silence for the victims in Boston, and many here wore black armbands as a sign of solidarity. "It means that runners are stronger than bombers," said Valerie Bloomfield, a 40-year-old participant from France.

Police said they planned to add 40% more officers and extra surveillance as a precautionary measure, but 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. One participant in the wheelchair race had even competed in Boston last week. Prince Harry, who mingled with spectators and presented awards, said it was "never an option" for him to cancel his appearance. "No one has changed any plans, volunteers, security, nothing has changed," he said. "Typically the British way." The men's race was won by Ethiopian Tsegaye Kebede; the women's champion was Kenyan Priscah Jeptoo. (More London Marathon stories.)