LONDON â€" France stepped up security patrols on Monday and, in Britain, organizers began a review of measures to protect next Sunday’s London Marathon, as authorities responded to a possible heightened threat following the Boston bombings.
Nick Bitel, chief executive of the London event, the next major race in the international marathon calendar, said there were no plans to cancel.
However, organizers and police would be reviewing security for an event at which half a million spectators are expected to turn out along the 26-mile course to watch 36,000 runners.
“It is a very sad day for athletics and for our friends and colleagues in marathon running,†Mr. Bitel said of the events in Boston.
In Australia, organizers of a scheduled half-marathon in Sydney next month announced a similar review. “We continually assess our safety and security needs, working with local authorities, and will specifically assess whether any changes are required following the Boston tragedy,†a spokesman for the sponsors said.
In France, Manuel Valls, the interior minister, responded to the Boston bombings by ordering authorities to immediately reinforce patrols carried out by the military as part of the country’s anti-terror measures.
A high-level red alert is already in force in France, and security measures were stepped up when the government of President François Hollande launched a military intervention against Islamist militants in Mali in January.
The interior ministry said there was no specific threat to France and no cause for panic. However, in the light of the Boston bombings, the public was urged to maintain vigilance and be on the lookout for suspicious packages.
In London, police now face a double security challenge this week as they prepare for Wednesday’s funeral of Margaret Thatcher, an event that is likely to attract demonstrators who opposed the policies of the former prime minister.
John Reid, a former British minister for home affairs, said: “While the culprits and motivation behind the U.S. terror attacks are still unclear, this will obviously entail a review of security arrangements for both Lady Thatcher’s funeral and the London Marathon.â€
The city last year succeeded in holding two major events â€" the Summer Olympic Games and the Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth â€" without disruption.
Hugh Robertson, the British sports minister, urged people to turn out for Sunday’s London Marathon. “This is one of those instances where the best way to show solidarity with Boston is to continue and send a very clear message to those responsible that we won’t be blown off course,†he told the BBC.
Keith Luxom, a British runner who completed the Boston course before the twin blasts, said he would be competing in the London event on Sunday. And he planned to wear his Boston Marathon shirt for the occasion.
