Canadian runners lace up to show support for victims of Boston Marathon bombings

Events like the Boston Marathon bombings can engender a sense of helplessness but runners know they can do something. They can run.

Hundreds of members of Running Room clubs across Canada are to hold a moment of silence before embarking on their regular Wednesday-evening runs. Information on specific locations can be found here.

"The running community is strong," the national store chain said on its Facebook page. "Let us show our support."

The same impulse has apparently triggered a surge in registrations for this weekend's Sun Run in Vancouver.

More than 1,500 new participants had signed up by Tuesday, said Jamie Pitblado, vice-president of promotions and community investment for the Vancouver Sun, which sponsors the 10k road race.

“The trend continues, the swelling of support for those in Boston," Pitblado told the Sun on Wednesday. "I really think a lot of people will be wearing [Boston colours] yellow and blue.”

The event, which last year drew almost 49,000 participants, will begin Sunday with an official tribute to Boston, Pitblado said.

[ Related: Gestures of support and empathy for Boston ]

One of the runners will be Karyn Mitchell, who returned from Boston on Tuesday after competing for the third time in its historic marathon. She crossed the finish line about 50 minutes before the first bomb exploded.

“There isn’t a negative thing about something like the Sun Run," she told the Sun. "Why should we stop that for some senseless act that someone chose to do?

“I don’t want to give them any power and I don’t think it’s fair for us to not go because of fear like that.”

Resilience is at the core of marathon-running.

"Marathon and being a runner is kind of a metaphor for life," Running Room founder John Stanton told QMI Agency. "We learn through running that yes, we go through low points, but if you keep moving you get to your finish line."

In Winnipeg, paramedic Jonathan Torchia said he planned to be at Wednesday's run at Assiniboine Park.

"I was in shock, absolute shock," Torchia, who heads up the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service Marathon, told QMI. "I just feel the running community is so tight-knit . . .When a tragic event like this happens, they just want to rally around and show their support."

Another Boston Marathon participant, Rhonda-Marie Avery, was organizing a solidarity run in her hometown of Port Hope, Ont., according to the Northumberland News.

"Basically, we all need to stand together and keep running," she said.

Thousands of people, cities and organizations have made public expressions of solidarity with Boston since the attack, such as this Facebook page, and this one.

More than 20,000 people so far have signed an online condolence card.

[ Related: How to help after Boston Marathon bombing: Relief funds spring up ]

Canadian astronaut Cmdr. Chris Hadfield, tweeted this photo from the International Space Station of Boston at night in the wake of the bombings.

Like many sports teams, the Montreal Canadiens honoured the victims of the attack.

"On behalf of all members of Toronto City Council, and every resident of Toronto, I would like to convey our deepest sympathies to the victims of this afternoon's explosions in Boston," Toronto Mayor Rob Ford said at a council meeting the day after the bombings. "This tragic and shocking crime defies our imagination.

"This afternoon, my office reached out to Boston Mayor Thomas Menino to offer our assistance and support in any way we can."

Perhaps the most watched gesture of support will be across the Atlantic at this weekend's London Marathon, where security has been tightened. BBC News reports there will be a 30-second silence before the race and runners will be given a black ribbon to wear.