Runners urged to 'come in your thousands'

The London Marathon Expo was opened this morning by the reigning wheelchair champion and quadruple Paralympic champion, David Weir who said "I am delighted to be opening the Virgin London Marathon Expo again this year.The tragic events in Boston on Monday are in all our minds, and our thoughts are with the victims and their families."

Wier cut the ribbon at ExCel and then urged runners to pour into the centre before registration closes at 5pm on Saturday to pick up their numbers for Sunday's race, saying,"The marathon community is a resilient one, and the London Marathon is a special event. I am sure this year's runners will arrive at ExCel in their tens of thousands over the next four days to register for Sunday, just as they always do".

This year, runners will also receive black ribbons to wear as a mark of respect for the victims and families of the Boston explosions and there will be a 30-second silence at the start.

The runbritian stand is number 132. Come along and tell us your thoughts about the events in Boston and their efffect on you as a marathon runner. Has it made you more determined? Has it affected the support of your friends and family? We look forward to talking to you on the stand.

Come and claim your handicap score and be entered into the daily prize draw for a pair of Sennheiser headphones.