Toronto Marathon runners will race with Boston in mind

An estimated 12,000 people from more than 50 countries are expected to run the Toronto Marathon, which will have several tributes to the victims of last month’s Boston Marathon explosions.

Race director Jay Glassman told The Canadian Press the event has heard from dozens of runners who weren’t planning to join the race prior to the Boston attacks, but have rushed to participate on Sunday.

He also told CityNews there will be a minute of silence for the Boston victims before all the races begin, including the full marathon, the half-marathon and the 5K.

Runners will also wear race bibs featuring a “Remember Boston” ribbon image.

T-shirts that say “Boston: we run with you” will also be sold at the pre-race expo with the money going to a Boston children’s hospital.

Glassman also expected the marathon will attract a bigger crowd of spectators.

“I think we’ll see more people on the streets than ever before out there supporting our runners as they make their way from Lastman Square down to the lake.”

On April 15, three people were killed and more than 260 others were injured when two bombs in pressure cookers were set off near the finish line at the Boston Marathon.

Brothers Dzhokhar, 19, and Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, were accused of the terrorism. The older Tsarnaev was killed during an April 19 shootout with law enforcement agencies, while the younger one was caught alive that evening after a tense but brief standoff with police.

Dzhokhar, who is recovering from injuries during the shootout, was charged with using a weapon of mass destruction and if found guilty he could be sentenced to life in prison or death.

Click here for more details on the race.