Boston Bombings Affect California Marathon Security

Bomb-sniffing dogs will be at the start line. 

Despite the fact that the tragic Boston Marathon bombings took place over six months ago, race organizers are still mindful of the impacts to their events. One such race is the California International Marathon that takes place later this month.

According to the Sacramento Bee, planning for this point-to-point marathon was much different than in years past. Bomb-sniffing dogs will be on hand at the start line.

Additionally, organizers have planned for emergency contingencies in the event runners have to be diverted due to an emergency.

Race director Michelle La Sala was actually at the Boston Marathon this year.

“It was scary,” she recalls.

The 33-year-old La Sala had already finished the race when the two bombs went off that day. “I think Boston may have been my 23rd marathon, and it was not something I was expecting. But at the same time, these marathons are huge, huge sporting events, so I wasn’t surprised.”

For More: Sacramento Bee