The 34th annual Broad Street Run in Philadelphia today was scheduled to have "up to 40,000 runners" competing. The race, sponsored by Independence Blue Cross, was "marked by heightened security and a sense of apprehension" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 5/4).
The Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon and Half Marathon led a series of races "expected to draw about 30,000 participants and up to 100,000 spectators" for the weekend. When the marathon began this morning, there "did not appear to be a large, visible police presence at the start area." Workers at all corral entrances "checked credentials to allow people in, but few uniformed police were visible" (TRIBLIVE.com, 5/5). However, a "strong police presence was felt along today's course" for the marathon. About four hours after the race's start time, police Public Information Officer Diane Richard said police operations at the marathon were going "pretty smoothly." Richard added that police "received a few calls for people acting suspiciously, but they were unfounded" (POST-GAZETTE.com, 5/5).