USA TODAY International Edition
Amid tight security, runners hit streets
Despite Saturday’s bombing at a charity race in Seaside Park and a separate explosion injuring dozens of people in Manhattan later that night, a record number of runners packed downtown Jersey City on Sunday morning to participate in the annual Newport Half Marathon.
Several runners said on Sunday morning that the news of a pipe- bomb style device detonating near the starting time of a race in Seaside Park to raise money for military members and their families — and later, a pressure- cooker bomb’s explosion in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan that injured 29 people — wouldn’t stop them from running in Jersey City’s popular annual event.
“Running conquers all,” said Iris Saar, 40 of Glen Rock. “I believe we can beat this — especially through community events like this.”
Saar was one of 3,500 runners — a record number, organizers said — who packed the streets of the Newport section of the city as they prepared for the race. Some people chatted with fellow runners, others stretched and drank water, and some waved American flags at those who passed by.
Despite the relative calm of the runners, there was an overwhelmingly apparent police presence throughout the area.
Members of the Jersey City Police Department strolled up and down Washington Boulevard and walked between groups of runners before the event.
Several large bomb trucks were stationed near the race’s starting point and the department had set up a small surveillance tower near the race’s registration tents.
Deputy Chief Daniel Sollitti said the department had added extra precautions in the wake of the explosions in Seaside Park and Manhattan and there were both uniformed and plain clothes officers at the race.
“Security is always a factor in planning this event,” Sollitti said.
Many runners said they were thankful for the added police presence and believed running was the only way to respond to the violent acts in New York and New Jersey.