Security tightened at Taipei Marathon after deadly knife attack

Taipei, Dec. 21 (CNA) Security at the annual Taipei Marathon was heavily increased on Sunday, with almost 700 armed police officers deployed along the route, in the wake of a stabbing spree in the city two days earlier, which left three people dead and several others injured, according to Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安).

The 693 police officers assigned to the event were double the number deployed in previous years, Chiang told reporters during his inspection of the security arrangements at Taipei Municipal Stadium, the finish line of the annual marathon.

Chiang said that under his directive to the city's Police Department, all of the police officers were armed with guns to protect the marathon runners and deter any disruptions.

In addition, police presence was reinforced at 22 key intersections and road sections across the city to respond to possible emergencies, while mobile police patrols were also increased, he said.

The tighter security measures were imposed in the wake of a random knife attack Friday evening at Taipei Main Station and near MRT Zhongshan Station that left three people dead and at least 11 others injured.

The suspect, 27-year-old Chang Wen (張文), apparently jumped from the roof of a department store while being chased by police and was pronounced dead on Friday night.

The attack has put the city's security measures under close public scrutiny, particularly as it prepares to host its annual New Year's Eve celebrations, which typically draw huge crowds.

The Taipei Marathon, another major annual event, drew about 28,000 runners on Sunday, with about 9,000 competing in the full marathon, and 19,000 participating in the half marathon, according to Chiang.

Ethiopian runner Gadise Mulu Demissie won the women's title, setting a new course record with her time of 2 hours, 24 minutes and 17 seconds. Kenyan Bethwel Kibet Chumba won the men's race, clocking 2:09:31.

Before the start of the race on Sunday morning, the runners observed one minute of silence for the victims of Friday's stabbing attack, while the organizers replaced the traditional starting gun with an air horn.