Boston Marathon blasts: Police reassure over London run
The explosions happened at what is one of the biggest sporting events in the US
A senior Metropolitan Police officer has reassured runners and spectators that Sunday's London Marathon will go ahead as planned.
Commander Christine Jones said security was being reviewed following two deadly explosions at the Boston Marathon.
The public should be "reassured" the police were "very, very well-practised" at managing big events, she added.
The organisers said the race's runner registration and associated events would begin on Wednesday as planned.
"We look forward to welcoming our runners there," a statement said.
London Marathon Chief Executive Nick Bitel said: "The support we have been offered by our stakeholders and the wider running community has been outstanding. We have the full support of the Metropolitan Police, the Mayor's office and other authorities.
"We want to reassure our runners, spectators, volunteers and everyone connected with the event, that we are doing everything to ensure their safety and that the Virgin London Marathon 2013 is an outstanding success."
'Absolutely confident'
London Mayor Boris Johnson has also spoken to police about the possibility of extra security on the day.
In Boston, at least three people are known to have been killed on Monday and more than 100 injured in blasts close to the marathon's finishing line.
Sports Minister Hugh Robertson said he was "absolutely confident" the London Marathon could be kept safe.
London had "enormous experience" of delivering major events and the UK had some of the best security professionals in the world, he told the BBC, adding: "This is one of those instances where the best way to show solidarity with Boston is to continue."
Commander Christine Jones added: "We are working with the London Marathon to make sure we have all the tactics in place that we need...
"We will respond to any information that we receive from partners in both the security environment and the intelligence environment, and we'll make sure that all the tactics we are using are match fit to ensure public safety."
Home Secretary Theresa May has been briefed on the bombings by Scotland Yard Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick and MI5 chief Sir Jonathan Evans.
The London Marathon takes place this Sunday with about 36,000 people due on the starting line
At this stage, there are no plans for a meeting of the government's emergency committee Cobra, but high-level discussions were already planned and will go ahead because of Baroness Thatcher's funeral on Wednesday.
The Metropolitan Police said security for the funeral in central London would not be affected by the Boston explosions and that it was a very different event.
St James's Palace said Prince Harry would still attend the marathon to make presentations to the winners.
The London Marathon route, which is lined by hundreds of thousands of spectators every year, starts in Blackheath and finishes near Buckingham Palace, passing some of the capital's most recognisable landmarks including Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf and Big Ben.
London Mayor Boris Johnson has spoken to Met Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe about the possibility of extra security for the London Marathon.
"We do have robust security measures in place, but given events in Boston it's only prudent for the police and the organisers of Sunday's race to re-examine those security arrangements," he said.
'Total disbelief'
According to the Boston Marathon website, 374 of the more than 25,000 registered entrants to one of the US's biggest sporting events were British.
UK Athletics confirmed that none of its elite runners had taken part.
Keith Luxom, part of a group of 24 British runners, had already finished when the bombs went off. He told BBC Breakfast the jubilant mood changed to one of "shock, horror and total disbelief that people would target this great institution".
Another runner, Owain Griffiths, from Cyncoed in Cardiff, said "a day of enjoyment" had descended into "unthinkable horror".
Police say they have also launched a review of security for the Greater Manchester Marathon, due to take place on Sunday 28 April.
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