Security Tight At Annual Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Thousands of runners hit the streets of Philadelphia for the annual Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon. The run comes one day after a pipe bomb derailed a charity race at the Jersey Shore.
Approximately 16,000 runners took part in the half marathon on Sunday. The run kicked off at Eakins Oval and spanned 13.1 miles through Philadelphia. As for security, runners appeared to feel safe.
"When something like that happens you're more conscientious of actually what's going on with security in the area. And thankfully I've seen a lot of great things this morning already," Irene said. "A lot of police, a lot of the dogs are out, so that at least gives me a better peace of mind that they're prepared."
Officers were on foot, on bike, in their patrol cars and flying above in a chopper.
Rock 'n' Roll organizer Alex Bennett says they certainly have what happened in Seaside Park on their minds, but their alert level doesn't change.
"Its something that we as an industry and certainly a series we've been aware of since Boston a few years ago," he said. "So we're always cognizant of that. We always have a lot of security measures in place."
And the overwhelming reaction from the runners was they're just live going to live their lives, and on this day that includes running a half marathon.
The marathon was followed by a concert.
Proceeds from the event go towards the American Association of Cancer Research.
