Race Route Policing OKd

A force of 90 police officers to patrol the 26-mile route of the planned Los Angeles Marathon was tentatively approved Tuesday by the Los Angeles Police Commission.

But the commission left unresolved a request by the Police Department for $7,000 for a “contingency force” of officers for unexpected problems during the March 9 race. Also unresolved was the issue of pay for police officers at 21 entertainment centers along the route, which covers many of the city’s tourist and sightseeing attractions.

Los Angeles Marathon Inc. has already paid $99,000 for expenses and race rights. Race operations director Judy Stolpe disputed any additional payments, saying, “a marathon is not in the same category as a rock concert.”