Extra Security for Major Weekend Races - East Idaho News
National

Extra Security for Major Weekend Races

  Published at

GETTY H 112111 MarathonRunners?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1366467584810Hemera/Thinkstock(TEMPE, Ariz.) — Extra security is on hand for major races this weekend in the wake of the horrific events at the Boston Marathon bombings, but runners are still eager to race.

In Tempe, Ariz. On Saturday, more than 30,000 people are expected to take part in the ninth annual “Pat’s Run.” The 4.2 mile run honors Pat Tillman, NFL star turned soldier who died fighting in Afghanistan in 2004. Tempe Police Officer Michael Pooley says in the wake of the Boston bombings, they can’t be too careful.

“Obviously we’re taking it very seriously. There’s no credible threats right now but what we are looking forward to is just making sure that this is a fun, safe event and everybody goes away having a very good time and a good memory,” Pooley said.

“We’re Americans. I mean, we persevere, we get through it and we come together and this is going to be a great day,” said Shannon Moore, a runner in the race.

Similar precautions have been taken for Sunday’s London Marathon, a major running event in the running world. There will be 40 percent more officers present than there were at the 2012 race, but London police say they see no specific threats linked with what happened in Boston.

The race will start with a thirty second moment of silence in honor of the Boston victims, and runners are encouraged to wear black armbands. Sponsor Virgin London Marathon has pledged to donate just over $3 for every finisher in the event to The One Fund Boston set up to help victims.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

SUBMIT A CORRECTION