The U.S. Ambassador to Canada thanked participants who took part Monday in a commemorative walk in Ottawa to honour the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings.
The short walk – dubbed the “Walk for Boston” -- started on Parliament Hill and finished at the nearby U.S. Embassy, a distance of about one kilometre. It was organized by Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend race director John Halvorsen and the Running Room’s Phil Marsh.
Speaking at the U.S. Embassy once the trek was complete, U.S. Ambassador David Jacobson thanked participants for showing support “in a time of need.”
“To each of you, indeed to all the Canadian people … I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your kindness will long be remembered by me and by the American people,” he said.
Jacobson also took time to condemn the attack, which occurred one week ago today, killing three people and injuring more than 180. He also praised the first responders, marathon participants, Boston residents and law enforcement officials for their actions immediately following the blasts.
“The people of Boston reminded the rest us of what we’re all about. They reminded us that what unites us vastly exceeds what divides us. They reminded us that courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it,” he said, before leading a moment of silence for the victims.
Walk participants were invited to wear blue and gold -- the official colours of the Boston Marathon. Walkers were also asked to bring used running shoes to donate to the Ottawa Mission.
A number of runs that took place over the weekend also honoured the victims of the Boston Marathon.
In British Columbia on Sunday, the annual Vancouver Sun Run saw a sudden spike in late registrations, with 1,300 participants signing up in the days following the Boston bombings. Organizers committed to donate $10 per late registration to a charity benefiting those affected by the bombing, which raised an estimated $15,000.
The 10-kilometre Yonge Street race in Toronto, also on Sunday, saw participants observe a moment of silence before the race. Runners also had the option of wearing a special Boston race bib.
