Madrid Marathon to proceed despite Boston attack

Madrid: The Madrid Marathon will strengthen its security measures in the wake of the terrorist attack on the Boston Marathon which left three people dead and over 100 others injured.

The marathon, which will be celebrating its 36th edition April 28, is expected to draw around 26,000 people. "We are all waiting to know, what happened if whether or not it is confirmed as a terrorist act. We will be holding an emergency meeting with the security department of the Madrid Town Hall and the government delegation to see what measures we are going to take," said Pedro Rumbao, director of the Madrid Marathon. The London Marathon is also almost certain to go ahead after the British Minister for Sport Hugh Robertson stated, "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." Chief executive of London Marathon Nick Bitel confirmed they had "detailed security plans". Like London, Madrid had suffered a major terrorist attack, when 191 people died in a series of bomb explosions in commuter trains by an Al-Qaeda inspired group on March 11, 2004. IANS