London Marathon will raise £70,000 for Boston victims

The organisers of Sunday’s London Marathon will donate £2 for each runner who completes the race to the fund set up to support victims of the Boston bombings.

More than 35,000 runners are expected to finish, raising some £70,000 for the One Fund Boston.

“Everyone connected with the London Marathon was shocked by the terrible events in Boston, and we are keen to show our support to the victims’ families and our friends in the running community there,” said race director Hugh Brasher.

“As soon as we heard about The One Fund Boston we decided to make a donation. Our pledge to give £2 for every finisher at the 2013 Virgin London Marathon seemed an appropriate and fitting way to make our contribution.”

More than 175 people were killed by the explosions near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday.

“It was the City of Boston that was attacked this week, and we are deeply gratified that the citizens of Boston are receiving so many displays of support,” Boston Marathon Race Director Tom Grilk said in response to the London donations.

“We remember the Star Spangled Banner being played at the Changing of the Guard after 9/11. We will remember what the runners in London and the organizers of the Virgin London Marathon are doing on Sunday. On behalf of everyone, thank you.”