At 8:45 this morning, thousands of runners stood at the starting line of the Boston Marathon for a moment of silence to remember three people who were killed and 260 injured in a double bombing during last year’s event.

36,000 runners are taking part in this year’s 118th running of the Marathon. It’s the second-largest turnout in the history of the race.

Martin Walsh is the Mayor of Boston. He says the memory of last year’s tragedy is making this year very special. He says the survivors of last year’s bombings are “so strong. We’re feeding off their energy.”

More than 2,400 Canadians are taking part in the marahton thi syear. And about 100-thousand people are expected to gather on the sidelines to show support for the runners, victims and the city itself.