Thousands of runners paid tribute to the victims of the twin Boston bombings on Sunday with a moment of silence before the start of the annual Toronto Marathon, the first full 42-kilomentre race in the city since the attack.
Many runners also honoured the Boston victims by sporting a bib with an image of a "Remember Boston” ribbon and some also wore T-shirts with the words “Boston: we run with you" across the front.
Organizers said this year more than 10,000 runners took part in the Goodlife Fitness Toronto Marathon, including approximately 2,500 people in the full marathon. They said this year there was a surge of last-minute registrations as many runners decided to take part as a way to show their support for the victims of the Boston bombings.
Terry Gehl from Saint-Charles-sur-Richelieu, Que., who was the first male runner to cross the finish line with a chip time of 2:37:29, was one of those late-entries. He said he signed up on Friday after a friend convinced him to join the race.
“I decided last, last second to come here, so I’m happy I decided,” Gehl told reporters at the finish line at Ontario Place. He was supposed to run last month at the Boston Marathon but backed out due to an injury.
Mylene Sansoucy from Montreal was first female marathoner to cross the finish line with a chip time of 2:58:21.
Race director Jay Glassman told CP24 “Boston was top of mind with all runners this morning.”
He said police officers were patrolling the course, as they do every year, and organizers also adopted a no-clutter policy. He said garbage was quickly collected and bags were not allowed on the ground in areas where participants, volunteers and spectators were congregating.
Runner dies
An 18-year-old woman who was running the 42-kilometre marathon has died of “health-related issues,” according to police.
She collapsed on the Lake Shore Boulevard towards the end of the race.
Police said the teen was without vital signs and there were attempts to revive her. She was transported to hospital where she was pronounced dead.
A male runner also collapsed on the course after he suffered a medical emergency, officials said.
The man received CPR from a bystander and paramedics used a defibrillator after he collapsed shortly before 10:30 a.m. He was transported to hospital.
In addition to the full marathon, runners also completed a half-marathon, a 5 km run and/walk, and a team relay race.
The marathon kicked off at 7:30 a.m. at Mel Lastman Square.
The course traveled along parts of Yonge Street, Bayview Avenue and downtown Toronto before finishing at Ontario Place.
