DORSET marathon runners say they still plan to take part in the London Marathon - despite the tragic terrorist attack in Boston.

Security for the event on Sunday will be reviewed following the explosions, Metropolitan Police Chief Superintendent Julia Pendry, the event commander for the race, has said.

And Sports Minister Hugh Robertson insisted he was ''absolutely confident'' that the London event could be kept safe.

A Twitter campaign has got underway encouraging the runners to cross the finish line in London with #handsoverhearts to mark the tragic events in Boston.

 

Mention was also made for runners to wear black armbands.

One of those who will be completing the 26.2 miles with his hand over his heart is Joel Burns, 23, from Poole, who is running the marathon for his son Finlay.

 

He said: “I think if anyone were to approach it differently it would be a victory to whoever did carry out the attacks in Boston. I am going to approach it as I would have before this happened and try not to think about it.”

Poole marathon runner Steve Way, who won the Bournemouth Bay Half Marathon event earlier this month with a time of 67.54, is taking part in the London Marathon on Sunday.

He said: “It beggars belief really. Sport is something that has always been outside the kind of thing that is targeted by these individuals - now that is not the case.”

Steve, 38, who works for Barclays in Poole, said the tragic incident on Monday will not stop him heading to London on Sunday.

“If you start letting these things rule your life you are not going to get anywhere in life.

“I still be focussing on my race in London on Sunday and won't be letting it impact on my day.

“Of course we will be remembering our fellow runners and supporters in Boston and I think there will be a moment before the event starts.”

Jamie Stockton, 38, of Kinson, is running for Lewis Manning. He said: “It will probably bond more people together – we will all be there thinking about the same thing but life has to go on.

“It kind of makes you more determined. They targeted normal people going about this business. Many people had put a lot of hard work building up to that day.”

Jon Sharkey will be travelling to London with fellow members of Bournemouth Athletic Club and hopes organisers will hold a minutes silence before the event to remember those caught up in the Boston blasts.

He said: “Hopefully the image of tens of thousands of runners showing their support and solidarity will be just a strong as the image of Monday's devastation.

“It is an event that epitomises human spirit and it's only right that we make a stand.

“I don't think anything like that is going to deter us. You have to carry on, you cannot let things like that affect you.”

Nicole Thierry, 40, from Muscliffe, is running the London Marathon for asthma and autism charities.

She said: "It's made me more determined if anything. It's important we don't give in to these people."

"Hopefully people will have the same frame of mind and be more determined but I think it will change the amount of spectators, make a difference to who turns up."

"With the Margaret Thatcher funeral I think it will be the safest Marathon yet."

Are you running on Sunday or going to London to cheer on a friend? Add your thoughts in the comments or email us your messages of support and we'll add you to the story.