NYPD: Heavy police presence for full field of NYC marathoners

The New York City Marathon returns to full form Sunday with a massive NYPD presence for the entire 26.2-mile course, after a smaller field last year and no 2020 race because of the pandemic, officials said Wednesday.

With an anticipated 50,000 runners and an estimated crowd of about 1 million lining the race route through the five boroughs, there were no known specific threats to the race, said NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell at a prerace news conference.

But cops will be out in force above ground and in the subway system to make sure the event goes off without problems, Sewell said.

“Our efforts will include much the public will see and much you will not see,” Sewell said. “While I urge everyone to enjoy this great event, please remain alert to your surroundings. That is true any day, not just Sunday.”

The pandemic forced cancellation of the 2020 race. In 2021, as the spread of the disease appeared to be under some control, about 33,000 runners were allowed to compete.

While Sewell didn’t give the number of cops on duty for the marathon, it is expected to number in the thousands, along with additional cops as part of a surge of officers in the subway.

A full array of technical measures will also be in play to keep the spectators and runners safe, said Martine Materasso, the NYPD's chief of counterterrorism.

Runners will be screened before they check in for the race at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island, Materasso said. Items such as backpacks, signs, glass containers and coolers will be prohibited along the route, she added.

“Heavy-weapons teams, explosive-detection canines and our bomb squad will be along the entire route,” the chief said. “Explosive-trace-detection equipment, as well as handheld wands, will be used at all access points.”

NYPD plainclothes teams will also be in the crowds looking for suspicious activity. To help secure intersections, heavily laden sanitation trucks will serve as blocker vehicles, according to Materasso. NYPD harbor units will be out in force to secure the bridges over which the runners pass and department radiological, biological and chemical sensors will also be in use to warn of any potential threats, officials said.

Materasso warned that no drone activity is permitted in New York City or along the marathon route. Any drone found in use will be confiscated and the owners given a summons, she said.

Sewell took a moment to ramp up the pressure on one particular unit of the NYPD during the marathon.

“I am counting on the NYPD running club to hold on to the Mayor’s Cup by defeating the squad from the FDNY — again — this year,” Sewell said.

By Anthony M. DeStefano

tony.destefano@newsday.comtonynewsday

Anthony M. DeStefano has been a reporter for Newsday since 1986 and covers law enforcement, criminal justice and legal affairs from its New York City offices.