TORONTO-Marathon officials from around the world are taking a closer look at security measures in the wake of two deadly bombings that killed three people and injured more than 100 at the Boston Marathon.
The Boston Marathon is part of the World Marathon Majors, which features races in Tokyo, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City.
Back home in Canada, marathons in Vancouver, Toronto, and Mississauga will go ahead as planned, but with renewed security concerns.
Organizers with the Vancouver Sun Run, which attracts 50,000 people every year, say the race is still scheduled for Sunday, but the security for the 10-kilometre race is under review.
The Toronto Marathon scheduled for May 5 will bring roughly 14,000 people to the city’s downtown area. Officials are working with police to determine whether increased security is necessary.
The Missisauga Marathon, also scheduled for the first weekend in May, said organizers are meeting with Peel Police and city officials to review security procedures for the upcoming race.
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In the United States, marathon organizers are taking extra precautions to ensure the safety of runners.
Race officials for the Illinois Marathon said they are fielding calls from worried runners and their families. Officials planned to meet Wednesday to discuss more security measures such as bomb-sniffing dogs.
British officials say security is being evaluated ahead of the London Marathon, which is expecting more than 37,000 runners and more than 500,000 spectators at Sunday’s event, according to The Associated Press.
“The (Boston) attacks mean that we will be assessing our security protocols,” said a British security official who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. “There is some initial information coming out … but it is too early to draw any conclusions. There doesn’t appear at this point, however, to be a wider threat.”
Security concerns are particularly important at large events in Britain, after the London Bombings in 2005 which killed 54 people.
Elsewhere in Europe, Serbian officials said security would be increased ahead of the Belgrade Marathon being held over the weekend.
Athletics Australia, which hosts the Sydney Marathon, is currently reviewing its security protocols ahead of the September race.
Dallas O’Brien, CEO of Athletics Australia, issued a statement saying, “We were shocked to hear the horrific news this morning that there had been a number of bombings around one of athletics’ most iconic road races, the Boston Marathon, which was won by Australian Robert de Castella in 1986.”
With files from the Associated Press, and James Armstrong of Global News
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