Saskatoon runners honour Boston Marathon victims

More than 400 people are participating the Saskatoon police half marathon Sunday, which kicked off with a moment of silence to remember the tragic events that unfolded in Boston.

Three people were killed, including an eight-year-old boy, and more than 170 people were injured after two explosions went off near the finish line of the Boston Marathon.

Many runners in Saskatoon Sunday morning are wearing Boston Marathon colours to honour the victims.

Wade Bourassa is taking part in the race. The police sergeant said he ran in the Boston Marathon in 2010.

"You know all the pictures that my family took of me when I competed with my wife is right exactly where those explosions went off," Bourassa recalled. 

"To think of my parents taking those photos of me at the time it's tough to take and it's emotional," he continued.

Bourassa said training for the marathon helps officers deal with post traumatic stress from their jobs.

"By getting our membership out and running and participating, it gets them active for at least a couple of months before the race, and that helps them recover, feel better about themselves, it fights off a bit of depression," he said.

Police said no streets will be closed, but traffic will be guided by officers around the route where people are running.

This is the fourth year the Saskatoon police has held the half marathon.