Race management say marathon can proceed after review of security along 26-mile route
Following a day of meetings with the Metropolitan police and security experts, the organisers of the London Marathon have confirmed the race will go ahead as planned, in defiance of the bombers who struck at the Boston Marathon.
The sports minister, Hugh Robertson, and the London mayor, Boris Johnson, had earlier resolved that Sunday's race should be held despite attack on Boston on Monday. Security arrangements have been reviewed and tightened in light of the incident.
The London Marathon chief executive, Nick Bitel, said the runner registration point at the Excel centre in east London would be opened as planned by the wheelchair racer David Weir, on Wednesday.
"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," Bitel said.
"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 will be an outstanding success."
Meanwhile, a social media campaign to persuade the 37,500 runners registered to take part in the event to cross the finishing line with their hands over their hearts was gaining momentum.
Asked on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Tuesdayif he thought the marathon should go ahead, Robertson replied: "Yes, I do … These are balance of judgments but we are absolutely confident here that we can keep the event safe and secure.
"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 home secretary, Theresa May, has been briefed fully about the Boston explosions and held a meeting with the MI5 director general, Jonathan Evans, and the Met's assistant commissioner for specialist operations, Cressida Dick.
The current threat level to the UK from international terrorism, set by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre, remains at substantial.
Chief Superintendent Julia Pendry, in charge of policing the London Marathon, said: "A security plan is in place. We will be reviewing our security arrangements in partnership with London Marathon."
An estimated 500,000 spectators will line the streets to watch Sunday's competitors run 26.2 miles from Blackheath, in the south-east of the capital, to the Mall, in central London.
Given the length and nature of the event, securing the Marathon course was one of the biggest fears of the police and organisers before the London Olympics last year.