Winnipeg run honours Boston Marathon bombing victims

Dozens of Winnipeggers hit the streets on Wednesday evening to honour those killed and injured in the Boston Marathon bombings.

About 50 to 60 people met at The Running Room on Grant Avenue for a five-kilometre run.

Some who took part in the event had recently returned from Boston, where a pair of explosions near the marathon course on Monday killed three people and wounded more than 170.

The Winnipeg run participants said they were honouring their fellow Boston Marathon runners, some of whom never finished the race because of the blasts and the chaos that followed.

One runner who had just come home from Boston gave an emotional speech, thanking others for not giving up on the sport of running.

There was also a moment of silence to honour the casualties of the bombings.

Some vow to return to Boston

Some of the Manitobans who were in Boston arrived in Winnipeg on Tuesday night, including Bill Diehl-Jones, who said he was happy to be back with his loved ones.

'I'm going back. I've got my room booked and we're going back next year.' —Bill Diehl-Jones

At the same time, Diehl-Jones said he mourns for those who were killed and injured in the bombings.

"We’re just sorrowing about the people who weren’t so lucky," he said. "It was a long day."

Diehl-Jones, who did not run the race due to an injured foot, said that despite the tragedy, marathons represent strength of the human spirit and the attack will not diminish that idea.

He also said it won’t keep him away from Boston or next year’s marathon.

"Love is stronger than hate — that’s what you take away from this," he said.

"I’m going back. I’ve got my room booked and we’re going back next year."

More than 2,000 Canadians were signed up to run the 42-kilometre race, according to the Boston Marathon's website.

As of late Wednesday, U.S. law enforcement officials said there has been no arrest made in connection with the twin bombings, despite media reports to the contrary.