Security on the route of the Boston Marathon in 2015. (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
FRAMINGHAM (WBZ-AM) -- With two weeks until up to a million spectators are set to watch upwards of 30,000 runners take on the Boston Marathon, officials are meeting Tuesday to discuss safety and security plans for the event.
The FBI, BAA, and State and local police have been making assessments for this year's race, and much of the security and prep for the Boston Marathon mirrors that in years past.
MEMA spokesperson Chris Besse told WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Ben Parker that leaving certain items at home is among the advice for race-goers.
"We encourage people to leave backpacks at home," he said. "If they've got large bags and bulky items, glass bottles, large sticks, poles, that kind of stuff."
Some of those items will be outright banned in some spots closer to the start and finish lines.
Besse also said that in recent years, drones have become a focus.
"The course is what we call a 'no-drone zone,' so we're asking people to leave their personal drones at home as well," Besse said.
There will, however, be drones used by law enforcement along the 26.2-mile route from Hopkinton to Boston.
"We'll be partnering again with a local company who has some tethered drones to give us some aerial footage over some areas of the route," Besse said.
And on Marathon Monday, about 250 representatives of dozens of agencies will be at the MEMA bunker coordinating with officials on the route through the eight cities and towns where runners will tread.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Ben Parker reports