Marathons

LONDON - Some of the elite London Marathon competitors faced an endurance test just reaching the British capital for Sunday's race, with travel plans disrupted by the volcanic ash cloud over Europe that forced organizers to spend around $230,000 on private planes.

BOSTON - Why was Ryan Hall smiling, even after finishing fourth in the Boston Marathon and failing to end an American title drought that reaches back to 1983? Because the 27-year-old from Mammoth Lakes, Calif., ran the fastest time for an American in Boston.

HOPKINTON, Mass. - The normally quiet town of Hopkinton is bursting with activity as thousands of runners gather for the start of the 114th Boston Marathon.

CHICAGO - A volcano erupts in Iceland, and the effects ripple around the globe: A mom in Romania frets about making her son's wedding in Texas.