Officials Ensure Safety at Pittsburgh Marathon

Pittsburgh and marathon officials held a news conference Thursday morning to ensure safety at the May 5 race.

"I feel it's important to emphasize the actions being taken to ensure the safety for runners and spectators," Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said. "We're making sure the terrible acts in Boston don't deter the spirit of the marathon in Pittsburgh."

"The show is going on. It's going to be a great day. It's going to be a safe day," said Patrice Maramoros, director of the Pittsburgh Marathon.

Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Michael Huss told runners to arrive to the race early.

"There will be things in place that weren't there before," he said.

He said attendees could expect to see K-9s along the course that detect explosives. He also said there would be many security measures being taken behind the scenes that attendees will not see and that he could not talk about.

Spectators should not bring any large duffel bags or backpacks. 

"If you do, expect that you might be checked," Maramoros said.

Runners' gear will be checked into clear plastic bags provided by race officials. There will be a clicker on each runner bib to place on the plastic bags. 

Six-foot fencing will surround the starting and finish lines and only runners will be allowed in the areas.

Click here to read the new race guidelines for runners, spectators and volunteers released on the Pittsburgh Marathon website Thursday. 

Officials also ensured that the cost of the extra security was not a problem and "was going to get figured out."

"The marathon is not going to go bankrupt this year. It's not going to go bankrupt next year," Ravenstahl said.