48,000 runners lace up for Vancouver Sun Run

Tens of thousands of people laced up and hit the pavement in Vancouver Sunday morning for Canada’s largest 10-kilometre race.

A total of 48, 196  participants ran in the annual Vancouver Sun Run, with many participants sporting colours of blue and yellow in honour of the tragedy in Boston on Monday.

Paul Kimugul from Kenya claimed a $3,000 prize by placing first in the men’s division with a time of 29 minutes, four seconds. Port Moody’s Natasha Fraser won the women’s division and Canadian women’s division for the second time in a row with her time of 30 minutes, nine seconds. She won $5,500.

In light of the bombings that killed three people and injured more than 180, security was beefed up for the run, but authorities had no concerns about security at the parade.

Organizers were checking bags, but did not anticipate any problems.

Lord of the Rings actor Sean Astin, who was in town for the Fan Expo, laced up for the race wearing a Boston Red Sox jersey.

“I’m really passionate and care about running,” Astin said. “Running brings people together in such a special way. It’s used to help raise money for charities, it brings families together, it’s just magnificent.”

Several roads were closed on major routes in Vancouver to accommodate the run, including along West Georgia Street, the Burrard and Cambie bridges and West 6^th Avenue.

Closures were also in effect near Stanley Park and in the West End.

TransLink ran extra SkyTrains throughout the morning and roads re-opened around noon.