Four days after explosions rocked the world's most prestigious marathon, area runners will don Boston apparel tonight to honor the city.
"We want the victims, the runners and the city to know that we have their back, and we are with them," said Matthew Byrne, co-owner of Scranton Running Co. "We refuse to be scared by evil."
In the aftermath of Monday's bombings, Run Around Scranton organizers are suggesting participants wear Boston-related apparel - from a Red Sox hat or a New England Patriots hoodie to a Boston marathon T-shirt - on tonight's run.
The 5K run will kick off at 6 p.m. at the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail on Olive Street.
Courtesy of the Scranton Running Co., the first 250 people who show up will receive a customized yellow T-shirt with a blue heart and the words "Boston," "Strong" and "Love" inscribed on it. Also at the event, donations will be collected for "The One Fund Boston," which was set up to help the people most affected by the bombings, Mr. Byrne said.
Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty said he will have to "dig through his closet" to find some Boston gear to wear for the run, but called the initiative "a great idea."
There won't be additional security precautions taken tonight in light of the bombings, he said. City police officers are in the area and members of Lackawanna College's police academy stand at intersections along the course.
Mr. Doherty said he is expecting more than 350 people to participate in the 5K run/walk.
"Our message is 'keep on going,'" Mr. Doherty said. "We know the Boston Marathon is going to be the best it's ever been next year."
Wendy Wilson, spokeswoman for Geisinger Community Medical Center, which partnered with Scranton Running Co. and the city for the event, said GCMC employees will walk for the "victims, first responders and trauma surgeons."
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