Boston Police Commissioner Won’t Run in Marathon Following Brussels Terror Attacks

Boston Police Commissioner William Evans speaks at a news conference in Boston, Thursday, May 15, 2014. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Boston Police Commissioner William Evans has announced he will not be running in this year’s Boston Marathon following the terror attacks in Brussels, Belgium.

Evans, a serious running enthusiast, revealed in an interview with the Associated Press that he is opting out of the 2016 race in order to focus on security duties. This year’s festivities would have been his 50th marathon overall and his 19th race in Boston, but the recent attacks made him reconsider his decision.

“I can’t in my right mind go out and lace up the sneakers and run that day,” Evans told the AP. “We’re only three and a half weeks away. My priority is here, doing my job and making sure the race goes off without any problems.”

Since the 2013 bombings, security measures at the race have increased significantly, from more checkpoints and undercover officers to an expanded use of surveillance technology.

While security at the Marathon is expected to be on high alert in the wake of the tragedy in Brussels, Evans said that there is no intelligence to suggest any threats to this year’s event.

“You worry about copycats. You worry about these homegrown terrorists who are in their basement plotting something,” he said. “It’s a constant worry for me.”

Evans, who ran the marathon the year of the bombings, hasn’t run in it since.