A DETERMINED runner is not letting the recent Boston bombings phase him as he prepares for the London Marathon on Sunday.
Organisers of the 2013 Virgin London Marathon said it would still go ahead as planned following the bomb attacks at the Boston marathon inthe USA on Monday.
Three people were killed, including an eight-year-old boy, and more than 150 injured by the bombs, which are being investigated by the FBIas possible terrorist attacks.
Lalji Varsani, 45, from Elgin Avenue, Harrow, is hoping to raise over £3,000 for four of his favourite charities, a leukaemia charity, theNSPCC, an Alzheimer's charity and Fit 4 Nothing.
The IT consultant said: "I am really looking forward to running the marathon on Sunday. The Boston bombings have not put me off running,if anything it has made me want to do it more and stand our ground. Even more of my family will be turning up to watch me to stand outground. London has had to deal with this before with the 7/7 bus bombing. These sorts of things can happen anywhere in the world, itshould not put us off going ahead with the London marathon."
Mr Varsani has lived in Harrow for 18 years and has only been running for six months but has enjoyed training.
So far he has reached £1,500 of his target, but is hoping that he will get above his target.
The organisers said they have reviewed and will continue to review the security at the event with the Met Police and other authorities.
London Marathon chief executive Nick Bitel said: “We want to reassure our runners, spectators, volunteers and everyone connected with theevent, that we are doing everything to ensure their safety and that the Virgin London Marathon 2013 is an outstanding success.”