36,000 Runners Set to Run Post-Bombing Boston Marathon
An expanded field of runners is set to compete in Monday's Boston Marathon, a year after a double bombing near the finish line marred one of the world's most prestigious running events.
Some 36,000 people are registered, up from 27,000 in 2013.
The men's field includes five of the top six finishers from last year, including defending champion Lelisa Desisa of Ethiopia.
On the women's side, Rita Jeptoo of Kenya will try to repeat her 2013 win, with fellow Kenyan Sharon Cherop and American Shalane Flanagan returning after top-four finishes last year.
Several thousand runners who started last year's race but were not able to finish have also been invited back.
Scott Kennedy, who did not run last year, was one of many who talked Sunday about what Monday's race means to everyone taking part.
"Just to show the terrorists that they can't win. I saw a picture a few weeks ago that said 'we need to take our finish line back' and that's what I think that 36,000 people are going to do tomorrow - is take the finish line back," said Kennedy.
Two bombs exploded near the marathon finish line last year, killing three people and wounding more than 260 others.
Authorities have blamed ethnic Chechen brothers Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev for the attack. The blasts set off a multi-day manhunt that ended with Tamerlan dead from a shootout with police and Dzhokhar being arrested in a Boston suburb.
Dzhokhar is due to go on trial in November on 30 federal charges that could lead to the death penalty if he is convicted.
Organizers have boosted security, with cameras installed along the route along with thousands of police and hundreds of National Guard troops.
fuente: La Voz de América, http://www.voanews.com/content/runners-set-to-run-post-bombing-boston-marathon/1897512.html
Some 36,000 people are registered, up from 27,000 in 2013.
The men's field includes five of the top six finishers from last year, including defending champion Lelisa Desisa of Ethiopia.
On the women's side, Rita Jeptoo of Kenya will try to repeat her 2013 win, with fellow Kenyan Sharon Cherop and American Shalane Flanagan returning after top-four finishes last year.
Several thousand runners who started last year's race but were not able to finish have also been invited back.
Scott Kennedy, who did not run last year, was one of many who talked Sunday about what Monday's race means to everyone taking part.
"Just to show the terrorists that they can't win. I saw a picture a few weeks ago that said 'we need to take our finish line back' and that's what I think that 36,000 people are going to do tomorrow - is take the finish line back," said Kennedy.
Two bombs exploded near the marathon finish line last year, killing three people and wounding more than 260 others.
Authorities have blamed ethnic Chechen brothers Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev for the attack. The blasts set off a multi-day manhunt that ended with Tamerlan dead from a shootout with police and Dzhokhar being arrested in a Boston suburb.
Dzhokhar is due to go on trial in November on 30 federal charges that could lead to the death penalty if he is convicted.
Organizers have boosted security, with cameras installed along the route along with thousands of police and hundreds of National Guard troops.
fuente: La Voz de América, http://www.voanews.com/content/runners-set-to-run-post-bombing-boston-marathon/1897512.html
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