Runners, spectators, law enforcement preparing for 128th Boston Marathon

SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - It’s Marathon Monday in Massachusetts as the 128th running of the Boston Marathon gets underway. Approximately 30,000 participants will line up in Hopkinton in a matter of hours to get ready to travel 26.2 miles to the finish line on Boylston Street in Boston.

While it’s 128th running of the marathon, there’s something special about this year. Monday’s race marks 100 years since the starting line was moved from Ashland to Hopkinton. Also exciting is that this year’s grand marshal is former New England Patriots player Rob Gronkoswki.

The military marchers step off at 6 a.m. The men’s and women’s wheelchair division will start around 9 a.m. and they will be followed by the professional men at 9:37 a.m. and the professional women 10 minutes later. The para-athletes will line up at 9:50 a.m. and from 10 to 11:15 a.m., the four waves of the rest of the runners will start towards Boston.

With thousands headed to the Bay State to both watch and run the marathon, those added people also means added security. Both local and federal law enforcement have spent months carefully planning and coordinating their safety plans in preparation for today’s big race.

With the 26.2 mile race that spans eight cities and towns, a robust security plan was no small task for law enforcement. MEMA’s director called the plan is “complex and coordinated.”

With 30,000 runners coming from all over the United States and the world competing in the prestigious race, there will be a massive coordination to try to keep the race safe and secure.

Part of that mission includes 150 FBI agents alone along the course and security check points at the start and finish lines. Federal officials said there is no current or credible threat to the race, but they’re asking everyone to stay alert during the race.

If you are a spectator today, police said to leave drones, backpacks, and suitcases at home. They also said that drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana along the route will not be tolerated.

Law enforcement also said they need you to be their eyes and ears so if you see something, say something.

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