Organizers of marathons and other high-profile sporting events in the United States and abroad are scrambling to beef up security.
Time was short for some officials because this weekend, less than a week after anticipation turned to anguish in Boston, there are more than 30 marathons set to go, in Europe, Japan, South Africa and the United States.
On Sunday, Prince Harry is to join about a half-million spectators and more than 37,000 runners taking part in the London Marathon. Officials said the race is going forward and they’re evaluating the tight security precautions already in place.
“The best way for us to react is to push ahead with the marathon on Sunday, to get people on the streets and to celebrate it as we always do in London,’’ said British Sports Minister Hugh Robertson.
“We are absolutely confident here that we can keep the event safe and secure,’’ he added.
In Serbia, officials are ramping up security for the Belgrade Marathon Sunday. In Austria, police have plans to monitor the finish-line area for the marathon in Linz.
In Michigan, there will be extra patrols Sunday for the Lansing Marathon. Police Chief Teresa Szymanski didn’t divulge how many extra cops would be assigned, but urged spectators to keep their “eyes and ears open.’’
“My heart goes out to all the people in the Boston area,’’ LSJ.com quoted her as saying. “We’ll be on our ‘A’ game. We will be prepared. We will be ready to go.’’
In Wisconsin, where the Adrenaline Marathon on the Eisenbahn Trail in West Bend is set for Sunday, organizers plan to conduct bag checks, and they say entrants are continuing to sign up despite the terror attack in Boston.
Amy Kaftan, 49, who registered for the half-marathon, said “running people are a really unique group of people.’’ She added that “if anything, I think it will get people more motivated.’’
Stepped-up security was immediately apparent in Los Angeles where armed cops were stationed at both dugouts at the Padres-Dodgers Major League Baseball game Monday and last night.
And there are more potential changes to come as organizers of other events like the upcoming Kentucky Derby on May 4 and the Indianapolis 500 on May 26 review precautions already in place.