Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair says there's nothing to suggest that the upcoming Toronto Marathon is under threat following the twin bombings during the Boston Marathon on Monday that left three dead and injured more than 175 others.
Blair said police officials are planning to consult with race organizers prior to the May 5 event, adding that the meeting typically takes place every year.
“I believe we have to carry on in the absence of an identifiable threat, and there’s not one for the city of Toronto,” Blair told reporters on Tuesday.
Blair said that police will look at the “impact” the bombings will have on the race’s security plans, adding there “there is no local threat,” for the time being.
“In the absence of a credible threat, we’ll continue to work with the organizers, but we have to respond to threats and not simply speculation,” he said.
Blair added that the footage taken from the very public event in Boston will be integral to the police investigation.
“There’s going to be a lot of people that had their cameras out, that were taking pictures of their friends and family in that very special event that takes place in Boston every year, and that video is going to be invaluable to that investigation,” he said.
Marathon organizer Jay Glassman said the annual race’s safety and security plans are already under review in wake of the bombings, which were described by U.S. President Barack Obama as an “act of terrorism.”
Glassman told CTV’s Canada AM on Tuesday that since the bombings, organizers have received a number of emails and calls from concerned participants. However, most are in support of the event proceeding, he said.
“I don’t think the events in Boston will dissuade any runners from participation in our event and probably not in any event across the country,” he said. “If anything runners will come together and the community will come together.”
Glassman said in the wake of the bombings, event organizers will be consulting with police to review the race safety and security plans. Organizers will make any necessary changes based on police recommendations. Glassman noted, however, that the venue space for the marathon is 42 kilometres long and “pretty hard to secure.”
The race, now in its 35th year, employs around 250 to 300 officers for the day, but mostly for traffic control, Glassman said.
He said it’s very important to all the organizers that the marathon space be safe for all participants and spectators.
“Spectators make up a big portion of any large running event and help to inspire and motivate a lot of runners to get to the finish line.”
Michael Doyle, a writer for Canadian Running Magazine, was on the ground at the Boston Marathon during the time of the bombings.
Doyle said that security at large events are always a “tough call.”
“I don’t think there’s anything you can do,” he said, noting that security teams at the Boston event seemed good as he was asked to open his bag and show his media pass a number of times.
Marathon participants have told him they are reconsidering participating in other major races – something which saddens him.
“I think it’s really important that people celebrate this sport and celebrate a healthy lifestyle and inspire other people by doing it in a big, public event.”
