Officials Announce Security Changes To Pittsburgh Marathon
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - City officials announced sweeping security changes for this year's Pittsburgh Marathon Thursday morning.
While there are going to be some unseen safety changes, there are also going to be things you will see including, a number of garbage cans and newspaper boxes being removed from the race route.
Spectators are going to be asked not to bring back packs and are going to be subject to search. Changes at the start and finish line will also be in effect.
"We are going to have a perimeter , which would involve our start line is on Liberty, side streets will be accessible only for runners to get into the start line corral. Our start line corrals will be fenced with 6-foot fencing and it will be a runner only area. In terms of gear check, typically runners will check in their gear with the change of clothes and a pair of shoes for post-race. What they are going to do this year, is we are giving and providing a plastic, clear bag. All runners must use that plastic, clear bag when they check things into gear check," Race Director Patrice Matamoros said.
Matamoros also spoke with NewsRadio 1020's Mike Pintek about the upcoming changes:
Patrice Matamoros
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl vowed that the Pittsburgh Marathon will not go bankrupt in the future despite any increased cost of additional security.
"I know there's been talk about funding and how we are going to pull this off. Let me put all those concerns to bed. We are going to figure it out. We are going to have the proper number of public safety on board that day. The marathon is not going bankrupt this year, it's not going to go bankrupt next year. We are going to figure it out in partner like we always have to make this a wonderful event," Ravenstahl said.
It is estimated that 27,000 runners will participate in the marathon this year.
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