EXPERTS ARE WORRIED THAT THE NEXT ATTACK MIGHT COME FROM THE AIR. CHECKING OUT THE MARATHON FINISH LINE COULDN’T HELP BUT ALSO NOTICE THE METAL BARRIERS, SECURITY CAMERAS, AND ANTI-JAMMING DEVICES BEING INSTALLED NEARBY. THIS IS MORE BECAUSE I’VE BEEN RUNNING MARATHONS IN EUROPE AND IN STOCKHOLM. WE DON’T HAVE THAT MUCH OF A SECURITY ISSUE THERE. MAYBE WE SHOULD, BUT WE DON’T. SO PLEASE STAY ALERT. BOSTON’S MAYOR AND LOCAL POLICE PROMISED THIS YEAR’S RACE WILL BE SAFE, BUT THE HEAD OF THE FBI IN BOSTON SAYS THE WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST IS AN ADDITIONAL CAUSE FOR CONCERN. THAT’S WHERE WE ARE IN A HEIGHTENED THREAT ENVIRONMENT, YOU KNOW. BUT AT THIS TIME, THERE’S NO SPECIFIC AND CREDIBLE THREATS FOR THE RACE. POLICE MUST PROTECT NOT ONLY MORE THAN 30,000 RUNNERS ON THE COURSE, BUT AS MANY AS A HALF MILLION SPECTATORS FROM HOPKINTON TO BOSTON, FROM EVERYTHING FROM BOMBS TO VEHICLE ATTACKS TO MASS SHOOTERS, TRAVEL, LITE LEAVE LARGE BAGS, COOLERS AND WEAPONS AT HOME. AND PLEASE DO NOT FLY DRONES ALONG THE COURSE. I THINK IT’S JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE A DRONE ATTACK OCCURS DOMESTICALLY, FORMER BOSTON POLICE COMMISSIONER ED DAVIS SAYS THE WARS IN UKRAINE AND NOW THE MIDDLE EAST HAVE SHOWN HOW DEADLY DRONES CAN BE. AND HE SAYS THEY DON’T ALWAYS HAVE TO BE BUILT SPECIFICALLY AS WEAPONS. THERE ARE THOUSANDS, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DRONES THAT HAVE BEEN PURCHASED ALREADY THAT ARE IN OPERATION AROUND THE UNITED STATES. ANY ONE OF THOSE DEVICES COULD BE MISAPPROPRIATED. SINCE 2015, BOSTON POLICE HAVE BEEN USING ANTI-DRONE TECHNOLOGY WITHOUT SPECIFYING WHAT THAT IS. SOME SYSTEMS USE LASERS, OTHERS USE RADIO JAMMERS
Boston Marathon security measures heightened amid global conflicts
Updated: 5:16 PM EDT Apr 17, 2026
Runners who visit the Boston Marathon course ahead of Monday’s race are noticing heightened security measures, including metal barriers, security cameras, and anti-ramming devices being installed nearby. Although the FBI said there are no credible threats targeting this year’s race, they are preparing to protect the race amid an unsettled period in world affairs. “We are operating in a heightened threat environment and large public gatherings are an attractive target for individuals and groups seeking to inflict harm,” said Ted Docks, FBI special agent in charge of the Boston Field Office. “Ongoing geopolitical tensions, the potential for directed and inspired threats are increased, and the FBI and our partners are taking all of these things very seriously, and we’re not taking it for granted.Boston Marathon coverage: How to watch | Race forecast | Find Your Finish”From 1776 to 2013 to today, we are a city that stands strong because we stand together,” said Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. “So, please stay alert. If you see anything suspicious, report it to a public safety official right away. And thank you to the more than 30,000 runners joining us from around the world on Monday.”Police are tasked with protecting more than 30,000 runners and as many as half a million spectators along the course, which stretches from Hopkinton to Boston, against threats ranging from bombs to vehicle attacks to mass shootings.Visitors at the finish line on Friday can’t help but notice the security. “This is more,” said Christoffer Collin, a marathoner from Sweden. “I’ve been running marathons in Europe and in Stockholm. And we don’t have that much of a security issue there. Maybe we should but we don’t.””Travel light, leave large coolers and bags and weapons at home. And please do not fly drones along the course,” said Col. Geoffrey Noble of the Massachusetts State Police.Ed Davis, a former Boston police commissioner who led the response to the 2013 bombing, expressed concerns about the potential for domestic drone attacks, citing lessons learned from conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.”I think it’s just a matter of time before a drone attack occurs domestically,” Davis said. He highlighted the widespread availability of drones in the U.S. and their potential misuse.”There are thousands, hundreds of thousands of drones that have been purchased already that are in operation around the United States. Any one of those devices could be misappropriated,” Davis said.
Runners who visit the Boston Marathon course ahead of Monday’s race are noticing heightened security measures, including metal barriers, security cameras, and anti-ramming devices being installed nearby.
Although the FBI said there are no credible threats targeting this year’s race, they are preparing to protect the race amid an unsettled period in world affairs.
“We are operating in a heightened threat environment and large public gatherings are an attractive target for individuals and groups seeking to inflict harm,” said Ted Docks, FBI special agent in charge of the Boston Field Office. “Ongoing geopolitical tensions, the potential for directed and inspired threats are increased, and the FBI and our partners are taking all of these things very seriously, and we’re not taking it for granted.
Boston Marathon coverage: How to watch | Race forecast | Find Your Finish
“From 1776 to 2013 to today, we are a city that stands strong because we stand together,” said Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. “So, please stay alert. If you see anything suspicious, report it to a public safety official right away. And thank you to the more than 30,000 runners joining us from around the world on Monday.”
Police are tasked with protecting more than 30,000 runners and as many as half a million spectators along the course, which stretches from Hopkinton to Boston, against threats ranging from bombs to vehicle attacks to mass shootings.
Visitors at the finish line on Friday can’t help but notice the security.
“This is more,” said Christoffer Collin, a marathoner from Sweden. “I’ve been running marathons in Europe and in Stockholm. And we don’t have that much of a security issue there. Maybe we should but we don’t.”
“Travel light, leave large coolers and bags and weapons at home. And please do not fly drones along the course,” said Col. Geoffrey Noble of the Massachusetts State Police.
Ed Davis, a former Boston police commissioner who led the response to the 2013 bombing, expressed concerns about the potential for domestic drone attacks, citing lessons learned from conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
“I think it’s just a matter of time before a drone attack occurs domestically,” Davis said.
He highlighted the widespread availability of drones in the U.S. and their potential misuse.
“There are thousands, hundreds of thousands of drones that have been purchased already that are in operation around the United States. Any one of those devices could be misappropriated,” Davis said.
