Thursday, April 18, 2013

Security on minds of London runners after Boston

LONDON (AP) a For Geoffrey Mutai, the bombs that ripped through Boston stripped away a number of the purity and freedom from marathon running. "Sport is much like church, it is not really a place where you can take arms," The Associated Press was told by the Kenyan on Wednesday. "It is just a free area where we are able to remain free and enjoy ourselves with no politics." But Mutai saw from afar Monday while the scene of one of his great triumphs 2 yrs ago changed into one of terror. With as he prepares to just take on the London Marathon on Sunday three people killed and more than 170 injured by the twin explosions near the Boston Marathon finish range, Mutai is apprehensive. And he fears marathons may possibly never function as the same. "They have taken our freedom which we generally have in races," Mutai said. "When you're in a competition you're relaxed and you are enjoying your self and free to go anywhere. "But there should be watertight protection, they can not be having as many folks at the end of the race." The roar of the crowd along the path will leave Mutai on side, fearing he is hearing "some appears of the bomb." "It is going to be challenging for the sport," said the Kenyan, who ran the world's unofficial quickest time in Boston in 2011. The tanks in Boston, which President Barack Obama called an "act of terror," exploded about four hours in to the battle and two hours after the men's winner crossed the final line. "Normally in a race you've perhaps not prepared your self psychologically that some thing could happen like that," Mutai said. "So even yet in the mind you are not free (now)... it's providing one more thing to activities that will be not good." Despite getting no assurances about security on Sunday, Mutai has no worries about his wife seeing him bid for a first London title. "We know because they were planning the Olympics (a year ago )," that security will be OK he explained. Following a safety assessment with the London force, planners are encouraging "considerable additional police" along the 26.2-mile course. "One of the truly amazing things about the London Marathon is that it is regarded as being this occasion that provides people together," London Marathon leader Nick Bitel said. "One of the founding principles of the London Marathon was showing that at the very least using one day mankind may be united. We are using every reasonable step to guarantee the battle is as safe and secure as possible." There will be an instant of silence for 30 seconds prior to the elite men's race and mass start, and runners are increasingly being asked to wear black ribbons. "It is a indication of reference to the people who died over there or got injured," said Patrick Makau, who holds the marathon world record. Wilson Kipsang, the ruling London champion, said he's upset that Monday's strike appeared to be a deliberate try to target players. "There are so lots of people who came from throughout the earth to cheer, have fun, participate for charities," he said. "It is even difficult to assume today people could have such an thought within their head and make a move of this. "But we ought to don't have any concern throughout the competition (on Sunday) because safety matters will be put in place." ___ Ron Harris could be reached at http://twitter.com/RobHarris

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