Items from Boston Marathon memorial to be moved to city archives

Boston Marathon 2013 men's winner Lelisa Desisa, left, of Ethiopia, greets Boston Marathon bombing victims Adam Davis, top right, and his wife Adrianne Haslet-Davis, Sunday, June 23, 2013, in Boston. Lelisa ran in the Boston Athletic Association 10k after which he presented his 2013 winners medal as a gift to the city in tribute to the victims of the bombing at the Boston Marathon finish line in April. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Boston Marathon 2013 men's winner Lelisa Desisa, right, of Ethiopia, holds his medal with Boston Mayor Thomas Menino after presenting it to the city as a tribute to the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings, Sunday.

BOSTON  — Mayor Thomas Menino has informed survivors and families of victims of the Boston Marathon bombings that a memorial spontaneously created in Copley Square after the attack is being removed.

Menino says items in the memorial, which include stuffed animals, sneakers, flowers and notes, will be taken to the city archives on Tuesday. He says some items already were taken there to prevent further deterioration.

Menino says a Remembrance Committee will be formed to oversee the creation of a permanent memorial to victims and survivors. He says survivors and victims’ family members are welcome to serve on the committee.

The April 15 blast killed three and injured more than 260.

More than 6,400 athletes gathered Sunday on Boston Common for a 10-kilometer race. Marathon men’s champion Leslia Desisa of Ethiopia returned his winner’s medal to Menino to honor the city and the bombing victims.