After the Halloween truck attack in Manhattan, security will be tight during one of the most popular urban running events in the world: the New York City Marathon
ADVERTISEMENTSafety is a top priority during the New York City Marathon following the deadly Halloween attack in Manhattan where a pickup truck was used as a weapon, which killed eight people .
As what’s become custom for large events in New York, sand trucks will park along the perimeter and police helicopters will patrol from above.
K9 units and heavily armed counterterrorism officers will also be among the crowds, as well plain clothes officers.
The New York City Police Department is also doubling its observation patrols.
“Officers from our emergency services unit from our strategic response group from our critical response command, they’ll be at fixed locations along the route but theyll also have a mobile response capability if theyre needed elsewhere.” said NYPD Chief of Department Carlos M. Gomez.
The 2013 Boston marathon bombing showed that huge events like this can often be target.
But veterans of that race haven’t been deterred from competing this weekend.
“I was actually in 2013 part of the terrorist attack in Boston and competed that day.” said long distance runner, Shalane Flanagan.
“I very much have compassion and understanding for the situation. But the one thing I do know, and which Boston showed, is the resilience, and how running can actually be quite cathartic.”
An expected 51 thousand runners will cross the finish line in Central Park, passing about two-and-a-half million spectators along the route, which covers the five boroughs of the city.