By Jason Farrell, Sky News Correspondent
A 30-second silence will be held before the start of today's London Marathon as a mark of respect to victims of the Boston bombings.
Organisers said most of the 36,000 runners are also expected to wear black ribbons to show solidarity with the people of Boston.
Virgin London Marathon has pledged to donate £2 for every finisher to The One Fund Boston, which was set up to raise money for the victims of the explosions.
Richard Inchley, who has been registering runners for the marathon, says events in Massachusetts have not deterred competitors from taking part in the 26.2-mile challenge.
"People are more determined than ever to take part, and I can't think of a single person who wasn't eager to wear the ribbon," he said.
Every participant is being given a black ribbon to wear during the race "One German runner was in tears as he showed me video footage of him crossing the line in Boston as the bomb went off behind him. But I think running in London will be a kind of therapy for him."
British runner Jack Cummings, who ran in the Boston Marathon, said he would also run again today.
"My wife and daughter were across the street from the second blast. It was very unnerving as people at the finish line didn't know what was happening," he explained.
"I was very apprehensive about running today. I felt so empty after what happened in Boston, but I didn't want to disappoint the charity and today I'm running for all those in Boston that got hurt or died."
Despite the death and capture of the Boston Marathon bombing suspects, security has been stepped up to reassure the runners and spectators.
The police prescence during the London race is being stepped up by 40% The Met is in close contact with the FBI and Boston Police, and there is nothing to suggest any link with the bomb attacks.
Malcolm Baker, a former Police Counter-Terrorism Officer, told Sky News: "The main objective of the police is to provide reassurance and public safety for both the runners and spectators, and secondly it will be to deter any copycat attacks."
Despite the 40% increase in police presence, the marathon will maintain its carnival atmosphere.
Hundreds of runners will turn out in fancy dress for the winding route from Black Heath to Buckingham Palace past some of the capital's most famous landmarks.
Half a million people usually turn up to watch the spectacle.
One volunteer race official, Lesley Inchley, said: "I think there will be even more people than usual coming to watch. Spectators will want to lend their support to the runners and send a really clear message that we won't be frightened by bombers."
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