Runners Show Boston Their Support, London Marathon To Go On

SAN DIEGO, CA - JUNE 03: U.S. Olympian Meb Keflezighi runs in the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon on June 3, 2012 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent C. Horner/Getty Images) (2012 Getty Images)

The running community has turned to social media to show its support to the victims of the Boston bombings and to let people know that terrorism won’t stop them from their passion.

“We are bigger than any hater, we are stronger than any bully, we are united in our love for the sport and the communities we run in,” commented Maureen Hickey ElAdawy on the New York Road Runner’s Facebook page.

She left her comment on a post from the organization sending their thoughts and prayers to families in Boston and also ensuring safety is a top priority for their organization.

“The safety and security of all New York Road Runners’ races is and will always be our top priority. We will continue to work hand in hand with the City of New York and the NYPD as we plan for upcoming events,” the organization posted yesterday on Facebook.

Runners World magazine had a post on Facebook telling readers how to help in Boston and people left comments expressing why they continue to run.

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“i did not want to run last night, i was angry, i was sad. but then i thought of those there. would they want me to stop,NO they would want me to run. i thought of them as a ran. it was a great run,” James Talbert commented.

Even with a largely positive stance for continuing to run marathons, some on Facebook still expressed concern.

“I hope that this organization New York Road Runners (NYRR) pushes for more heightened security (sic), such as bomb squads, for all their marathon events, i.e., BKlyn (sic) Half, Queens Half and ING NYC Marathon. I am really afraid to partake in the BK half knowing this just happened,” Johanna Ortiz commented.

Meanwhile,London Marathon organizers confirmed on Tuesday that the London race will go ahead as planned Sunday after holding high-level talks with police and authorities. Earlier, British sports minister Hugh Robertson said the nation "won't be cowered by this sort of behavior."

"The best way for us to react is to push ahead with the marathon on Sunday, to get people on the streets and to celebrate it as we always do in London," said Robertson.

He added: "I think this is one of those incidents where the best way to show solidarity with Boston is to continue and send a very clear message to those responsible."

The London Marathon will be watched by an estimated 500,000 spectators as 37,500 runners weave their way past and along some of the city's most recognizable landmarks.

According to officials there have been no high-profile withdrawals so far and the buildup to the marathon remains unchanged for competitors.

The race Sunday in London is one of six in the world marathon series along with Tokyo, Boston, Berlin, Chicago and New York.

In 2005, suicide attacks on the public transportation system in the British capital killed 52 people. London and mainland Britain also face a moderate threat from Northern Ireland-related terrorism, according to the government, and a massive security operation was put in place last summer to protect the successful London Olympics.

Includes reporting by The Associated Press.