Unauthorized bicycles and drones will be banned from the New York City Marathon course on Sunday as part of an intense effort by the New York Police Department to ensure the event’s security, officials announced Wednesday.

Nearly 52,000 runners are expected for this race across the five boroughs, one of the most famous marathons in the world. The race, also one of the largest in terms of participants, is organized by the New York Road Runners with many corporate sponsors.

“The security situation last year was complex, this year even more so,” said Rebecca Weiner, deputy commissioner of the New York Police Department for counterterrorism and intelligence, at a conference of press, referring to conflicts abroad, particularly in the Middle East, as well as potential political violence.

Weiner described what she said was a robust security apparatus, including heavy weapons teams, canine patrols, bomb squads sweeping locations, as well as mobile response teams ready to respond to situations in all districts.

“Anyone who attempts to disrupt the race is subject to arrest,” Weiner said.

The NYPD will also have a special drone response team, working with federal officials, and Weiner stressed that unauthorized drones will not be allowed along the route. Weiner noted that blocker trucks loaded with sand will also be deployed at key intersections to prevent any unauthorized vehicles from entering the road.

Patrol Chief John Chell said an interagency tabletop exercise was held Tuesday to review final preparations and possible contingencies.

“The NYPD and our partners prepared for this from the day after last year’s event,” Chell said.

Police operations related to the 26.2-mile race will begin Saturday evening and continue Sunday with all uniformed officers in place early in the morning. A strong uniformed presence will be in place on every street corner, Chell noted.

“This year there will be no bikes, no bikes, along the route,” the patrol leader said.

After the briefing, NYPD spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Tarik Sheppard said the bike ban only applied to cyclists trying to ride on the actual race route. Bikes will be allowed on side streets and nearby roads, Sheppard said.

Chell reiterated the old phrase to guide the public if something unusual is spotted: “If you see something, say something, call a cop, call 911, report it.”

Anthony M. DeStefano has been a reporter for Newsday since 1986, covering law enforcement, criminal justice and legal affairs from its offices in New York.