NYPD assures New York Marathon will go ahead on Sunday amidst security concerns
Chief of Counterterrorism Martine Materasso also revealed that law enforcement will be deploying significant counterterrorism measures throughout the course of the event
NYPD top cop Keechant Sewell joined fellow police brass in Central Park Wednesday to announce security protocols for this year’s TCS New York City Marathon.
The Commissioner confidently revealed that the marathon is facing “no credible threat.” Even though Sewell declared that attendees have no reason to be alarmed, she confirmed that the NYPD will be on high alert throughout the day to ensure the safety of all involved.
“Planning for and securing events like these is what the NYPD does on a regular basis,” Sewell began, “The NYPD’s uniform presence will be evident wherever one looks this weekend. Our efforts will include what the public will see and what the public will not see.”
Chief of Counterterrorism Martine Materasso also revealed that law enforcement will be deploying significant counterterrorism measures throughout the course of the event.
“We will deploy a very significant counterterrorism overlay to secure that 26.2 miles. We want to thank the New York Road Runners for their continued partnership in keeping the New York City Marathon a safe and fun event for the approximate 50,000 runners and over the 1 million spectators that will fill the streets across the five boroughs,” Chief Materasso said. “We will be deploying heavy weapons teams and explosive detection canines and our bomb squad along the entire route.”
Chief Materasso also laid down ground rules for attendees, citing a zero-tolerance policy.
“I would also like to remind everyone that the use of drones is strictly prohibited in and around New York City and the marathon. We will be monitoring the airspace, and anyone found operating a drone will be summoned and the drone will be confiscated,” Materasso added.
Road Runner race director Tim Metellus thanked the NYPD for helping keep the event safe.
“This would not have happened without the partnership of the NYPD,” Metellus said. “Thank you so much for your support. And guidance.” New York City prepares for Sunday marathon
City officials will use 50 gallons of blue paint to mark the route.
50,000 runners are estimated to be competing on Sunday and in preparation, the Department of Transportation will paint a 26.2 mile stripe to mark the marathon route across the city’s five boroughs beginning on Thursday.
The stripe, which will take 50 gallons of blue paint to complete, will be four inches wide and traverse five bridges in the city and approximately 300 intersections.
Due to COVID-19, last year’s race was only half the size of this year’s and in 2020 the marathon was canceled completely.
All participants will be screened before they reach the start line in Staten Island and the marathon will be a “secure, visibly policed event,” Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell told the ABC News local affiliate WABC.
Spectators will be able to cheer on runners all along the route, and people who want to experience the finish line in Central Park will be screened.
The event’s scale means that the NYPD is deploying additional resources to make sure the event remains safe and fun. NYPD counterterrorism chief Martine Materasso told an ABC News local affiliate that explosive detection equipment, plainclothes teams, canine units and other resources will be used on Sunday.
The New York City Marathon, which is celebrating its 52nd anniversary, is one of the largest in the world. Runners participate from countries spanning every corner of the globe, which was a significant source of frustration for organizers last year, as international travel restrictions only relaxed in the U.S. the day after the marathon.
