Central Park held New York's first run this Sunday after the Boston bombings, and it was a safe, though emotional one.
Event organizers and NYPD were careful in taking extra precautions to ensure the safety of those attending the City Parks Foundation Run for Parks. These included increased police presence and clear plastic bags in lieu of refuse bins or personal backpacks.
There was a bomb scare, just before 9 a.m., that briefly interrupted the race and caused runners to be redirected so NYPD could investigate a bike rider carrying an unidentified package on the route. A tactical unit that included a bomb-sniffing dog eventually determined the package did not pose a threat.
Local singer Jojo Karlin sang the national anthem before the race in tears.
Many participants wore blue shirts that read, "I Run for Boston," purchased from the New York Road Runners, with all proceeds from the sales directed to The One Boston Fund. Many other runners wore clothing and hats from Boston's sports teams - the Celtics, Red Sox and Patriots - and some had shirts from previous Boston marathons.
The flag of the city of Boston flew at half-mast, greeting runners at the finish line, between the American flag and New York City's flag.
"Running is one of the best expressions of freedom," said Wilson Silva, 42, of Williamsburg after finishing the race. "It gives you the impression that nothing can stop you."
New York Road Runners said that 6,227 runners completed the 4-mile race.