Runners, Spectators And Police All Make Final Preparations For Marathon
DETROIT (WWJ) -- Anticipation and training have come to a head as the 37th Annual "Free Press/Talmer Bank Marathon" kicks off Sunday in Downtown Detroit.
Detroit Police Deputy Chief of Patrol Operations Renee Hall talked about the race and how security measures have evolved for organizers after the attacks on the Boston Marathon in 2013.
"We've always worked in collaboration with all of our state, federal and partners, as well as our international partners in Windsor," Hall said. "We changed a few things a couple of years ago, which was clear plastic bags where the runners had to have their belonging and just ensuring that there are no backpacks or anything allowed along the run and the race route."
The landscape for securing marathons changed in 2013 after two men set off homemade bombs near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, which left three people dead and many more severely injured.
Hall said that it's important for participants and spectators to keep their belongings close and not leave them behind.
"In addition to the marathon, we also have the Detroit Lions who are playing at home," Hall said. "So, we'll have an additional 60,000 individuals or more traversing into the city to watch the football game. So, we're going to have a lot of individuals in our downtown area and expect some delays in traffic. We just ask that you work with us."
Those participating will travel through Downtown Detroit, Belle Isle and Windsor.
"It's a huge event -- these runners actually qualify for the Boston Marathon," Hall said. "It's approximately 27,000 runners and we anticipate approximately 60,000 spectators for this race."
