Runners ‘strike a blow’ as New York Marathon gets under way

Thousands of runners today set off on the New York City Marathon, pledging to ‘‘strike a blow to terrorism’’.

To cheers from the crowd, 30,000 athletes streamed across the city’s Verrazano Bridge, which in previous years gave a spectacular view of the World Trade Centre’s twin towers in lower Manhattan.

Today most competitors looked straight ahead as they took their first steps in the race, which is dedicated to the victims of the September 11 atrocities.

More than a million people, many waving American flags, lined the streets to support the runners as they pounded along the gruelling 26-mile course which passes through all five New York boroughs.

Security was tight, with more than 3,000 police patrolling the streets and bomb sniffer dogs at the start and finish areas. Armed National Guardsmen were posted at all the city’s bridges.

No changes were made to the route because it does not pass the ground zero site.

British entrant Jon Brown, who came fourth in the marathon at the Sydney Olympics, said it was a race for the people of New York.

‘‘It’s a very emotional day. The elite race with all the big name runners is only a very small part of it all,’’ said the Bridgend born runner who now lives in Vancouver.

‘‘It’s a race for the people. It belongs to the city.’’

Londoner Patrice Hutin said he and his wife Regine only decided to take part at the last minute after fears about their safety.

He said: ‘‘We had to be sure we still wanted to do it - but here we are. It was right to come.’’

New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani said there had never been a more important time for the race to take place.

‘‘Thousands of athletes and millions of New Yorkers are lining up united in their feeling that we are a free country and we are not afraid to exercise that freedom,’’ he said.

‘‘Part of that is to have a marathon, and to have all these wonderful people go through the city and for the city to show itself off.’’

The marathon brings around 85,000 visitors and 118 million dollars (£84 million) to New York. It is the biggest international event in the city since September 11. Firefighter Andy Murawek, who was due to take part with a colleague killed in the World Trade Centre attack, said he would be running with a ‘‘heavy heart’’.

‘‘This is not going to make it better for me but its going to help me deal with it,’’ he said.

Race organiser Allan Steinfeld said this year’s marathon, more than ever before, highlighted the diversity, energy and resilience of New York City.

‘‘The marathon is dedicated to the victims of these tragic events, and to the courageous rescuers who have worked tirelessly to save lives and to rebuild our great city,’’ he said.

New Yorker John O’Neill said: ‘‘By all of us being here and getting on with what we want to do we are showing that this great city will not be defeated.

‘‘We’re not only running a race, we’re striking a blow to terrorism.’’