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Plan, people in place to protect Naperville marathoners

The bombings at April's Boston Marathon have forever changed security protocols for such events, according to those in charge of safety and policing for Sunday's marathon in Naperville.

The two Chechen brothers accused of placing pressure-cooker bombs in backpacks near the finish line — killing three people and injuring more than 250 others — launched new worries about safety in crowds and development of more in-depth safety plans, said Naperville Sgt. Steve Schindlbeck, who is overseeing security for the inaugural Edward Hospital Naperville Marathon and Half Marathon.

“Three things have become universal in the wake of Boston,” Schindlbeck said. “Increased video surveillance; increased use of plainclothes officers, which we're going to utilize; and increased signage encouraging people to be vigilant.”

Naperville officers, DuPage County sheriff's deputies, state police, federal authorities and a couple dozen civilian volunteers with law enforcement or security experience all are lending a hand in efforts to ensure the safety of nearly 3,500 runners and their fans. Security personnel expect their efforts to lead to a successful, safe and enjoyable event, said Naperville Park District Executive Director Ray McGury, who is relying on his 28 years of law enforcement experience to serve as volunteer safety coordinator for the race.

“The bottom line is everybody is on edge since Boston. But you saw (the) Chicago (Marathon) went off without a hitch; Naperville is going to go off without a hitch,” McGury said. “I anticipate few if any problems.”

Participants and spectators will feel a large security presence at the start/finish line at Porter Avenue and Loomis Street on the North Central College campus, Schindlbeck said.

“We'll have an obvious presence on the college campus,” he said. “It'll be a little less obvious throughout the course.”

Motorcycle officers will sweep the entirety of both courses before the start at 7 a.m. and police or volunteers will be stationed at 148 road crossings to direct runners to stay on-course and drivers to maneuver around it.

“The volunteers on the course itself are there to give the general public traffic direction when it comes to these intersections,” Schindlbeck said. “The volunteers at the college campus are eyes and ears for us.”

McGury said the public is encouraged to follow the “see something, say something mentality” when it comes to anything suspicious.

Police personnel who will be working Sunday have been trained using materials from the FBI and other federal agencies on how to identify suspicious packages and what other possible security threats to be looking for, Schindlbeck said.

If anything out of the ordinary is found, canine handlers and their bomb-sniffing dogs will be available to check it out. So will the Naperville Police Department's special response team.

“If anything were to happen, we would have a reaction team available to us,” Schindlbeck said.

Spectators coming to the area of Porter Avenue and Loomis Street will not be subject to any restrictions on purses, bags or items they can bring. All items are subject to search if police deem it necessary, but Schindlbeck said spectators will not be routinely searched before being granted access to areas designated for fans.

McGury and his team of volunteer security workers will be patrolling the start corrals and recovery areas set aside specifically for runners. Except in the event of medical emergencies, he said no non-runners will be allowed in those areas.

“We are more or less going to keep people who shouldn't be in those areas out,” McGury said.

“This is a fun event and it's going to be a safe event. We've got the right people in place to make sure that happens.”

  Naperville Marathon volunteer Beth Noe checks two driverÂ’s licenses from Alexandra Rodda of Hoffman Estates as she picks up a packet for herself and one other runner Friday during the race expo before the inaugural Edward Hospital Naperville Marathon and Half Marathon take to the streets Sunday. Requiring photo identification to pick up packets is one security measure race organizers put in place to keep participants and spectators safe. Bev Horne/bhorne@dailyherald.com
Signs like this will be posted in advance of the inaugural Edward Hospital Naperville Marathon and Half Marathon on Sunday to remind spectators and racers to remain vigilant and alert law enforcement personnel to anything that appears suspicious. Photo courtesy Naperville Police Department
Signs like this will be posted on the North Central College campus near the start/finish line of the inaugural Edward Hospital Naperville Marathon and Half Marathon on Sunday to remind people of security measures in place. Courtesy of Naperville Police Department

Race day timeline

Race day of the Inaugural Edward Hospital Naperville Marathon and Half Marathon is sure to begin long before the starting horn at 7 a.m. for runners, race organizers and volunteers. Here's a look at what's expected to be happening when at the starting line at Porter Avenue and Loomis Street and throughout the course.

4:30 a.m. Starting line security volunteers under the Naperville Park District's Ray McGury begin arriving

5 a.m. Medical Director Dr. Michael Hartmann gathers volunteer doctors, nurses, medical technicians and paramedics for a pre-race briefing

Shortly after 5 a.m. Runners begin arriving to the start/finish line, checking in gear; warming up, stretching and finding their place in the start corral based on expected finish time

5 a.m. Entire route becomes a no-parking zone until 2 p.m.

6:30 a.m. Road closures begin on 75th Street from Plainfield/Naperville Road to Book Road and on Book Road from 75th Street to 87th Street. Other major roads affected include Washington Street, Bailey Road, Hobson Road and Gartner Road

6:40 a.m. Naperville Running Company pacers line up throughout start corral

6:45 a.m. Color guard and national anthem

7 a.m. Race begins, with roughly 100 runners starting every 30 seconds

7:20 or 7:30 a.m. All 3,500 runners expected to be on the course

8:05 a.m. Half marathoners running at a 5-minute pace begin finishing

9:11 a.m. Marathoners running at a 5-minute pace begin finishing

10 a.m. Last half marathoners expected to finish

1:30 p.m. Last marathoners expected to finish

2 p.m. parking restrictions along the race route are lifted and course cleanup begins

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