OC Marathon Runners Honor Boston Victims, Face Increased Security

A moment of silence for victims of the Boston Marathon bombings will be held before Sunday's OC Marathon, while some runners also plan to honor the victims.

Logos for the Boston Marathon and The One Fund, which benefits the victims of the bombings, will be at the starting line at the Fashion Island shopping center in Newport Beach and at the finish line at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa, 26 miles, 385 yards away.

Several running clubs, groups, families and individuals will wear "Runners for Boston," "Boston Finisher," "Boston Strong," Boston Red Sox and similar themed T-shirts and headwear, according to race publicist Mike Kingsbury.

Others will carry signs and banners reading "For Boston," in Southern California's first marathon since the April 15 bombings.

Security for the race will be strengthened, Kingsbury said. A special weapons team and bomb squad will be present.

All participants will be required to use clear draw-string bags for their personal item storage, which will be provided by organizers, and no unattended bags will be allow at the start or finish line areas or along the course, Kingsbury said.

A field of about 2,250 runners from 45 states and 21 nations has entered the marathon, including 13 who ran the Boston Marathon, Kingsbury said.

About 11,500 runners have entered the half-marathon and 2,000 the five- kilometer run, Kingsbury said.

- City News Service