Runners Prepare For Central Park Race Amid Boston Manhunt
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - This Sunday is the City Parks Foundation Run for the Parks 4-mile race in Central Park and the bombings at Monday's Boston Marathon are certainly on the minds of the runners.
Runners in the New York Road Runners event have received clear plastic bags for their belongings and a warning that security will be stepped up for the race.
That made runner Brian Saltzer feel much better. He's from Boston and ran the marathon.
"I finished. It was a great day. It was a great race. I was on top of the world. At my friend's apartment. He's on Commonwealth. So, we went around the corner. I was in the apartment, and the explosions happened," he told WCBS 880 reporter Marla Diamond.
Runners Prepare For Central Park Race Amid Boston Manhunt
He left the city, which is today under lockdown.
"Well, I think what's important is that people continue to do what they love to do and we don't let people like those two brothers stop us from doing what we love to do. I love New York. I love running the races for New York Road Runners and so I'm glad I'm here," he said.
Runners also got black ribbons and bibs that say "I run for... BOSTON."
Another security measure for Sunday's 8:00 a.m. race is that there will be no trash cans.
The race is expected to draw at least 5,000 runners.
Among them, Jill Staats of the Bronx.
"You know, I feel like the whole running community's been hurt here. But they messed with the wrong people. Cause we're gonna run no matter what," she told Diamond.
Part of the race fee and proceeds from the sale of a special running shirt that says "Run for Boston" will go to a charity to aid the victims.
Karen Bidera of East Elmhurt expects the run to be emotional.
"But I think there will also be the same energy that there was when they ran the New York City Marathon in 2001. We will get through this. We will make it work. We will keep doing what we're gonna do," she said.
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