( CNN ) -- As 36,000 marathoners get ready to pound the streets of Boston on Monday , authorities have their own mammoth task ahead : trying to keep all 26.2 miles of the course safe . Officials say they have gone to great lengths to make sure nothing like last year 's attacks will happen . For starters , no backpacks or rucksacks will be allowed on the course this year , said Kurt Schwartz , director of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency . The bombs that killed three people and wounded 264 others last year were placed in backpacks . The Boston Athletic Association , which organizes the marathon , said spectators are also encouraged to leave backpacks and handbags at home . Containers with more than 1 liter of liquid , costumes covering the face , and bulky clothes such as vests with pockets wo n't be allowed . And large flags or signs bigger than 11 inches by 17 inches are also banned from marathon venues . Those venues include the start and finish areas , the course , the athletes ' village and areas where official events are held . Unregistered runners and cyclists intending to jump into the race are n't welcome this year , either . `` We are aware that many people want to participate in some way in this year 's Boston Marathon as a display of support , '' the BAA said in a statement . `` But we ask that those who are not official participants to refrain from entering the course for the safety of the runners and themselves . '' The anniversary scare . At a memorial to mark the one-year anniversary of the bombings , one sight evoked memories of the gruesome attacks : suspicious bags near the Boston Marathon finish line . Police spotted the bags on Boylston Street -- not far from where two pressure-cooker bombs exploded a year ago . The first clue that something was amiss came when an officer spotted a man carrying one of the bags walking barefoot in the rain down Boylston Street . Police said he became very vocal and started yelling . When asked what was in his backpack , the man told the officer it was a rice cooker , Boston Police Superintendent Randy Halstead said . `` We looked into the backpack , saw that it was what appeared to be a rice cooker , had the individual take the knapsack off , drop it on the street , and he was taken into custody , '' Halstead said . The man was identified by prosecutors as Kevin Edson , also known as Kayvon Edson . He was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct , disturbing the peace and possession of a hoax device , Halstead said . A bomb squad inspected the bag and deemed it safe . `` In the process of rendering that safe , we noticed a second backpack off to the side , '' Halstead said . `` Nobody claimed ownership of it . At that time , that bag was rendered safe . '' Halstead said his officers are ready for this year 's marathon . In Tuesday 's incident , he said , the `` training kicked in . '' `` I have utmost praise for my officer , '' Halstead said . `` That 's what he 's trained to do , that 's what he did , and that 's why I 'm proud of the guys of this department . '' Memorial : 'We are America , we own the finish line ' A massive enterprise . This year 's marathon will be a massive enterprise . The race will have 9,000 more runners than last year . More spectators than ever before will also line the course , according to the Boston Athletic Association . Keeping that in mind , police will double the number of officers on patrol from last year , with 3,500 scattered among the crowd . They will be aided by 100 additional security cameras and bomb-sniffing dogs . `` In this world , you never eliminate risk ; you never bring it down to zero , '' State Police Col. Timothy Alben told reporters last month . `` But we are working very hard at reducing that risk level and managing it to the best of our collective abilities . '' Authorities have not disclosed how much the extra security will cost . All they will offer is that it will be `` much greater '' than last year 's cost . But this year 's race will also reap millions of dollars . According to the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau , the marathon and related events will bring in an estimated $ 175.8 million -- the highest-ever amount for a Boston Marathon . Tsarnaev awaits trial . CNN 's Faith Karimi contributed to this report .
Two suspicious bags were spotted on the one-year anniversary of the attacks . A man carrying one of the bags was charged with possessing a hoax device . Runners will not be allowed to wear backpacks in this year 's Boston Marathon . Comment: