Cops and organizers are beefing up security for two Big Apple races and other sports events following the Boston Marathon bombings.
At the 9/11 Memorial’s first-ever 5K Run tomorrow, extra NYPD and Port Authority cops will be on hand along the route from Pier 57 on the West Side to near the Memorial at Ground Zero, organizers said.
The race — which is limited to 3,000 participants — saw such a groundswell of new runners seeking to compete following Monday’s Beantown bombings that well more than 100 were turned away.
“This is New York, and we’ve been through so much with 9/11 and even [Hurricane] Sandy, so people want to get out and show their support,” said Memorial President Joe Daniels, president of the 9/11 Memorial.
“The feeling of life continuing in light of being attacked is one of the positive hallmarks of 9/11, so we want to continue this to support Boston.”
Runners will be handed blue and yellow ribbons to wear in honor of the Boston victims.
A few miles away, the New York Road Runners club is also planning to move forward with its four-mile race tomorrow in Central Park — with enhanced security protocols in place.
Runners are “strongly” encouraged not to bring bags to the City Parks Foundation Run for the Parks, and unattended bags will be confiscated by police, the NYRR said in a statement.
Runners will be told to put belongings in a clear, plastic bag provided by race officials, and anyone attending could be subjected to bag searches.
The race is also pulling out all trash cans along the route and limiting course toilets to the midway point as a security measure.
Meanwhile, with the Knicks and Nets opening the NBA playoffs at home today, fans heading to Madison Square Garden and Barclays Center, respectively, should expect additional police in and around both arenas, sources said.
Additional reporting by Rebecca Harshbarger