Madrid tightens security for marathon

Security is to be tightened for the marathon in Madrid on 28 April after the bombing attacks at the Boston marathon on 15 April. There will also be a tribute to the three people killed and 183 injured in the Boston bombings.

The Madrid marathon (known as Mapoma) forms part of the Rock n’ Roll marathon series, which includes many of the world’s top circuits. There are 20 live music concerts at various stages of the run and for the first time this year there will be a 10 km short-run circuit. Over 9,000 runners took part in Madrid’s 2012 edition. For details of the 2013 event see marathon website.

In Boston the Spanish consul has been dismissed for failing to provide sufficient assistance to Spanish nationals immediately after the attacks in the city. The consul, Pablo Sánchez Terán, closed the consulate at the usual time on the day of the bombings rather than keep it open to cope with the crisis.

The consul did not provide a special number for anxious telephone callers who were told instead to call the city’s hospitals for information. He has been criticised on social networks such as Twitter for his insensitivity.