Photo: U.S. Air Force/Staff Sgt. Matt Davis
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Radiation-detecting helicopters from the federal government will sweep the Boston Marathon route this weekend. The National Nuclear Security Administration said the helicopters will fly as low as 150 feet above the route at speeds of about 80 mph, between Friday and Monday.
The sweeps happen every year before the marathon. The Bell 412 helicopters are part of the NNSA's Nuclear Emergency Support Team, which patrols major public events for signs of nuclear or radiological weapons.
The agency says the flyovers will only happen during the day. It will take around two hours to check each area.
This year's Boston Marathon will mark ten years since the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013, which killed three people and injured close to 300. The Boston Athletic Association says 30,000 runners will participate in the race.
Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App