( CNN ) -- Among the 35,000 runners lining up at this Sunday 's London Marathon , there 'll be the usual pre-race nerves , waves of excitement , and focus on the task ahead . This year , there will also be silence . Six days after Boston 's Marathon was rocked by the bombing which killed three people and injured more than 180 , the world will be turning its gaze to London 's premier race . It will be unlike any other race in its 32-year history , as thousands of competitors and spectators observe a 30-second silence ahead of the starting gun , in remembrance of Boston 's casualties . Haunting images of bloodied victims scrambling down smoldering streets , past upturned stands which just moments earlier had been filled with cheering family and friends , will no doubt loom large in the minds of Londoners this weekend . Expect to see an ocean of black solidarity ribbons pinned to the chests of runners , as they wind their way past the Capital 's most iconic landmarks such as Big Ben and Tower Bridge . In another act of solidarity , for every competitor who crosses the finishing line , race organizers plan to donate $ 3 to The One Fund Boston , set up to raise money for victims of the blasts . Photos : After the explosion -- moment by moment . 'In it together ' `` Now there is a huge feeling of defiance , '' three-time London winner Paula Radcliffe told CNN . `` How dare someone attack sport and humanity in this way -- we are not going to be cowed , '' added the 39-year-old Radcliffe , who is the world marathon record holder . Watch : Bombing victim could n't hear after blast . That defiance is shared by the thousands of competitors who run the London Marathon to raise money for myriad charities . `` It 's important to see on mass that we 're in it together , '' said 36-year-old asset management worker , Ed Lucas , who will be running his first ever marathon on Sunday . `` It does make you reassess the race . But I think if anything , it will make people a lot more determined -- Brits are quite stubborn , they do n't like being told what to do . '' Another runner Matthew Huntington , 36 , said his family -- including his two and five-year children -- would be coming to watch him . `` It never entered my mind to drop out and yes it made me even more determined to take part , '' added technical marketing manager Huntington . `` If you 're completely risk averse you would never leave the house . '' Stepped-up security . Security will also be stepped-up at the event , which is the first international marathon to follow Boston . There will be an increase in searches and officers on the street , London 's Metropolitan Police Commissioner , Bernard Hogan-Howard , said . `` We 've no reason to think people are any less safe than they were before the terrible events in Boston , '' he added . Olympic training . Last year 's Olympic Games has also bolstered London 's credentials when it comes to hosting safe , international sporting events , Britain 's culture secretary , Maria Miller , said . `` You will know from London 2012 last year , this country has a great deal of experience of ensuring our sporting events go well and that security is at the heart of the planning process . The London Marathon is no different , '' she told the Commons this week . Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg promised security would be `` double , triple , quadruple checked . '' Show of support . With tight security measures in place , the public has been urged to get behind the great British sporting event -- as much for the competitors on the day as a sign of solidarity with Boston . `` Obviously , in light of what happened in Boston , we 've had to have a look at security and we have a detailed and well-thought-out plan with the Metropolitan Police which we have year-in , year-out , '' London Marathon chief executive , Nigel Bitel , said . `` It 's a great occasion , the London Marathon , and I know that people will want to come out and send a message of support to runners on the day . '' Watch : Eyewitness images of blast . No fear . Similarly , reigning marathon champion , Wilson Kipsang , told competitors to try and put security issues out of their minds as they wind their way along the 42 kilometer route from Blackheath to Buckingham Palace , home of the Queen . `` When you are running and you are thinking something like that can happen , you ca n't concentrate , '' the Kenyan told Athletics Weekly . `` We should have no fear during the race because security matters will be put in place and we will run feeling free . ''
year-in after Big Ben bombings , two of runners will compete in Boston . Special event marked by just moments earlier silence , black solidarity ribbons . Stepped-up security with increased searches and police on streets . Olympics 2012 good training ground for staging international sporting events .