Broad Street Run Will Have Heightened Security, Philly Mayor Says

The roughly 40,000 runners signed up for this year’s Independence Blue Cross Broad Street Run in Philadelphia on May 5 can expect to see a major increase in security in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings, which killed three people and injured more than 130, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter said at a press conference Monday evening.

While Nutter didn’t lay out specifics of what that extra security would entail, he said it will be in force along the entire length of the 10-mile race, which starts just south of Central High School and finishes alongside mothballed Navy ships in the city’s Navy Yard in a straight shot down Broad Street.

“At this time, there are no specific threats or threat incidents in Philadelphia, but of course, we are taking the necessary precautions,” Nutter said. “In light of today’s events in Boston, let me assure you we will step up our security efforts.”

The Philadelphia race had 34,068 finishers in 2012—about 12,500 more than finished the Boston Marathon the same year—and Nutter said city agencies, including the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, which oversees the race, and the Philadelphia Police Department, will work together to ensure both participants and the public stay safe.

“Runners and spectators will, in fact, see a much more visible security presence on race day,” he said.

With no specific threats against the city or the race, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey said it’s most important to stay aware of what’s going on around you.

“We are at heightened alert, only from the standpoint of making people are vigilant,” he said.

The mayor echoed that sentiment, and asked all those who come out for the race, not just those who pack the crowded spectator areas in Center City, along the stretch around Mile 9 by the stadiums and in the Navy yard, to report anything suspicious to police, either via 911 or 311.

“If you see something, say something,” he said. “If you think you might be seeing something…it’s better to err on the side of caution.”