Security tight for Seattle marathon

SEATTLE – Increased police patrols and bomb-sniffing dogs will join the nearly 20,000 runners expected for this weekend’s Rock ’n’ Roll Seattle Marathon, the city’s first major race since the bombings at the Boston Marathon in April.

Detective Renee Witt, a Seattle Police Department spokeswoman, wouldn’t disclose exactly how many officers will be monitoring today’s race, but she said attendees will be well-protected by both uniformed and plainclothes officers from SPD, the FBI and other local and federal agencies.

The bomb-sniffing dogs could be used to comb various areas, such as the gear check near the start line, for explosives, Witt said.

The race, which will feature a marathon and half-marathon, is scheduled to start at 7 a.m.