Vancouver Marathon tightens security following tragic festival attack

In the wake of the devastating SUV attack at last Saturday’s Lapu-Lapu Day festival in Vancouver–which killed 11 people and injured 20 others–security measures are being ramped up ahead of Sunday’s BMO Vancouver Marathon.

According to the Vancouver Sun, a rush has been placed on an order for vehicle-blocking barriers to arrive in time for the race, where more than 25,000 runners are expected to participate.

In February, the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) ordered 16 mobile barriers and two rapid gates from California-based Meridian Rapid Defense Group. The C$346,000 order was intended to block vehicles from accessing crowds at public events.

The original delivery date was set for around May 16. However, following Saturday’s tragedy, Meridian offered to expedite the shipment at no extra cost to deliver before the marathon. “We seek to help people,” Meridian CEO Peter Whitford said. “It’s about the work we do keeping people, communities and places safer that’s at the forefront–not necessarily about the commercial reality.”

While other municipal governments have ordered Meridian’s barriers, the VPD is the first police department in Canada to do so. Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim also announced a full review of the city’s safety measures at public events, including blockades, traffic control and emergency response procedures.

In addition to the barriers, 170 VPD personnel will be deployed along the 42.2K marathon route.

Lapu-Lapu Day

The Lapu Lapu Day street festival is an annual celebration honouring a Filipino national hero. Vancouver is home to more than 140,000 Canadians of Filipino descent, and this year’s festival drew nearly 100,000 attendees.

The driver of the vehicle that plowed into the crowd, Kai-ji Adam Lo, was charged last Sunday with eight counts of second-degree murder. As of Monday, seven of the injured victims remained in critical condition, while three others were listed as serious.